W212 Audio 20 not working

[SimplyMB]

Hi MB Club,

I've just bought an early 2011 W212 estate. It has Audio 20 which does not work, when you try to turn it on nothing happens and the screen also won't turn on. I've checked the fuses and they are fine, I've even removed the head unit from the dashboard and checked the fuse at the back of the head unit and it is also fine. I've noticed that the fan inside the head unit works but the head unit itself won't turn on. Do you guys know what can cause this issue? And maybe who can fix this?

The part number is A2129005010

By the way, I found used hand units with the same part number on eBay for just over £100. Will it work OK if I just replaced the head unit?

Thanks

 

[richard]

Its probably just broken. What does the cluster say when you have it on Audio, does it just say 'Please Wait' or '----' that means head unit isn't even communicating on the cars network.

if your head unit has the NAV button, its NTG4.5 and will need an anti-theft code. If it came out of a car with differing options (older NTG4, or 4.5) it will need coding to get the correct options showing ...

Richard

 

[SimplyMB]

Thanks Richard

When on Audio it just shows "----". Probably it will be cheaper simply to buy used head unit. Looks like mine is not NTG4.5. Is says that MODEL: BR212 (6CD).

But the very strange thing I've noticed is that the head unit was manufactured on 28/03/2011 while the car was first registered in January 2011. Looks like the head unit was already replaced. Is it possible to know by VIN which head unit was installed initially?

And if my HU is not NTG4.5 can I just replace it with the exact same HU form another car? Or would it also require code nad coding?

 

[SimplyMB]

By the way, there is no button that says "NAV", but on the dash menu there is Navi option and it shows my current location. So it has a navigation

 

[SimplyMB]

So I have to options now:

1) Repair current HU - anyone knows how much would it cost roughly? And could you recommend someone?

2) Buy used HU with the same part number A2129005010. It is Audio 20 (Model BR212 6CD) with Navigation 20. Does anyone know if I will need programming or antitheft codes for this unit?

Cheers

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Two thoughts:

Was the car manufactured with an Audio 20? Check the VIN for the build sheet. (search our site for details of how to do it). I'm half wondering whether the car originally came with SatNav, which was subsequently stolen with the head unit being replaced by an Audio 20.

Rather than repair or replace, with correct MB kit, would it make more sense to install an Alpine / Kenwood unit, to give you other benefits (bluetooth, "better" sound, DAB, SatNav, Apple Car Play? I'm ambivalent about these things myself, but some find them valuable.

Nice car. Chris Harris used to run a W212 E250 CDI as his Familienwagen.

 

[SimplyMB]

Hi Mike,

I have full car spec by VIN and says that car has Audio 20 and Navigation 20. I also have original booklets for both Audio 20 and Navigation 20.

To be honest I wouldn like to keep the car as it came out from the factory, so probably will not go aftermarket head units. But in worst case scenario of course I will consider this. I tried to google, but couldn't find aftermarket HUs for W212 from a reputable brands. Can you suggest any specific model?

By the way, I have AUX, USB and old IPhone outlets in the glovebox.

 

[SimplyMB]

Good news! I found the HU with the exact same part number on eBay and decided to order it. The seller was in Spain, so the total cost including delivery was 140EUR. So the head unit arrived less than an hour ago, I quickly replaced it and it works! Screen, audio, telephone Bluetooth all work!

But I still need some coding as I could not find navigation in the HU menu, while I have that option on the dashboard + VIN decoding showed that I have Navigation 20. Can you guys please recommend someone who could do this? Or should I just go to my local Mercedes specialist?

 

[Fununcle]

Good news! I found the HU with the exact same part number on eBay and decided to order it. The seller was in Spain, so the total cost including delivery was 140EUR. So the head unit arrived less than an hour ago, I quickly replaced it and it works! Screen, audio, telephone Bluetooth all work!

But I still need some coding as I could not find navigation in the HU menu, while I have that option on the dashboard + VIN decoding showed that I have Navigation 20. Can you guys please recommend someone who could do this? Or should I just go to my local Mercedes specialist?

Does it need the Becker unit in the glove box?

 

[Srdl]

Does it need the Becker unit in the glove box?

Not for Navigation 20.

 

[Fununcle]

Not for Navigation 20.

Ok, shows what I know .

 

[richard]

Hold down the C button next to the rotary controller to turn on the Navigation 20. Navigation 20 was a dealer fit Navigation system for those vehicles.

Cheers
Richard

 

[SimplyMB]

Richard, many thanks! It worked

 

[SimplyMB]

There are some updates regarding my HU.

Yesterday when I just plugged the new HU the Radio started playing automatically, I muted the sound for some reason. As I did not have a CD disk I could not check it but had a USB stick with music on it. When I selected the USB from the menu it recognized it and started playing (seconds were counting). There was no sound and as I muted the sound myself I thought that it was working. But today when I was driving the car I tried to turn the USB on, the screen shows that music is playing (name of the track is there, seconds are counting, I can change tracks) but no sound at all, the same story with AUX. I couldn't check the iPod interface as I don't have the iPod itself. My first thoughts were that I forgot to plug in one of the cables properly, but the system recognizes the USB stick, shows all tracks, I can navigate them, shows that music is playing (seconds are counting). To make sure that all cables are plugged in correctly I removed the head unit and checked them. All cables are correctly plugged in. Does anyone know what could cause this issue?

Richard, I've just noticed that you represent Comand online, do you think your company can help with this issue if it is on the software side?

 

[sarahboo]

Hi MB Club,

I've just bought an early 2011 W212 estate. It has Audio 20 which does not work, when you try to turn it on nothing happens and the screen also won't turn on. I've checked the fuses and they are fine, I've even removed the head unit from the dashboard and checked the fuse at the back of the head unit and it is also fine. I've noticed that the fan inside the head unit works but the head unit itself won't turn on. Do you guys know what can cause this issue? And maybe who can fix this?

The part number is A2129005010

By the way, I found used hand units with the same part number on eBay for just over £100. Will it work OK if I just replaced the head unit?

Thanks

hope you dont mind me asking, but when you had this fault, was the radio still playing? i have a similar fault, and the radio still plays, but the screen is blank? Kind Thanks

 

[markjay]

hope you dont mind me asking, but when you had this fault, was the radio still playing? i have a similar fault, and the radio still plays, but the screen is blank? Kind Thanks

The last update from the OP says just that, I.e. the unit was working but no display. So the issue could be with the display unit itself, or with the display output port on the head unit.

 

[markjay]

Also, unfortunately the OP hasn't been back to the forum since January, so I doubt he'll see your question.

EDIT: just saw on your other thread that you have already been in touch with Richard

 

[sarahboo]

The last update from the OP says just that, I.e. the unit was working but no display. So the issue could be with the display unit itself, or with the display output port on the head unit.

ok thank you Mark,