NTG4 - IPod problem

[Duffy3074]

Hi folks

my W212 2011 E250 has developed a glitch that I‘m struggling to resolve.
On radio/CD, I’ve proper stereo from all speakers. On using the music interface with an IPod I get sound from the RHS only.

My immediate though was faulty iPod or cable, however I’ve replaced both with no change.

I suspect a faulty interface.

Any other likely suspects??

Thanks!

 

[Botus]

try a different device

sounds a bit like a hardware issue, you could try an update to the system on the vehicle. But on something this old it might be dying and might not take the programming steps involved (because is old and breaking already - not because the software or programming is inherently risky or a stupid idea)

one issue here is we "hope" electronics last for ever, its not the case. Where once they used high quality components made in respectable factories, now it far more likely its made for 0.0001p in some Chinese junk shop with a life expectancy of 3 months. With the end user manufacturer keeping their fingers crossed it dies outside the warranty period around 5 years old. No one will admit to this, you'll most likely hear rubbish suggesting if lucky it'll do 10 years... but even a 3k Naim system on a Bentley is lucky if it reaches 3 years !!!

 

[Duffy3074]

Thanks for the reply
I’ve tried 2 different devices and cables with no change.
The fact that the other sources work without issue narrows it down to the interface or a software issue methinks, however despite lots of searching I can’t find any other instances of this.

 

[Botus]

what is connecting to what
and is it cable or wireless
and is it a new fault or always been there

your last post is saying the fault remains (even with other devices) …. but the rest of the car's sources is working as expected ?

 

[Duffy3074]

It’s 2 different iPods connecting by wire through the music interface.
I’ve just bought the car so don’t know how long the faults been there, tried 2 different cables with no change.
All other sources play as they should in glorious stereo

 

[V6Matty]

Are you using a 30 pin to lightning adapter by chance? If it’s not a genuine or at least good make they can cause some strange issues

 

[Botus]

that's worth thinking about. Genuine Apple ones work, cheap ones have odd issues.

based on the age of the car is this the old fossil iPod kit that ends up with a 30 pin wire and odd messages /menu navigation in the instrument cluster only ?

if so they are strange things, often too quiet and you can daisy chain more bits to try and jack the vol up. For an odd reason these booster amps have two different ones to choose from.

If its connecting via one of these kits try another from ebay the black boxes can be had for pennies or maybe a new "inline amp" only about 25 quid.... or maybe a bad connection and or broken wire....

 

[Duffy3074]

You make it sound likes it’s out of the Ark!

it’s an old school 30 pin connector/iPod and not an adapter.

Advice noted re the black box but it’s just the iPod and the cable. A broken wire was my first though which is why I bought an alternative cable.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Botus]

hang on, NTG4 with media interface ?

as in a factory option giving a strange proprietary socket in the glove box, that you can then use various cable sets to connect lots of stuff... as std come with 4 cables in a bag?

the media interface is fully integrated in to the comand system
the iPod kit is some fossil from the dark ages... that aside from selecting Aux in comand has no features, functionality or menus in comand at all

and then I meant broken wire or bad connection under the dash, not the bit you play with

there's another post rocking around about the change over to the modern world…. its just possible buried in your comand unit is the hardware to go Bluetooth streaming and its either

a) just too old and your are out of luck
b) the hardware is there but the software isn't
c) the hardware is there, the software is there, but they didn't enable as they finished off dev of the package
d) its there and you never knew (but that should be later 2012 cars)

and an extra for good measure,

e) its an old fossil with 5 digit postcodes and you want to be getting down to comandonline (lightwater surrey) and or a main dealer to get 7 digit postcodes enabled, plus other enhancements, security and bug fixes

if its c) you can go hunting in a special menu and try to turn it on

 

[Duffy3074]

Cheers
Already explored the Bluetooth option as a workaround but no audio option there. It’s a 4 rather than a 4.5 so no sat nav and no straightforward upgrade path.

Yes it’s the standard proprietary socket in the glove box with the choice of cables (Which Audi used at the same time)

 

[Botus]

if no sat nav I doubt its comand at all ?

I was under the impression NTG meant a full comand system with navigation, and where does the media system come in to the equation

At that rate you might be better off exploring an aftermarket set up, there's a few here who think its great

type the chassis number in here and lets look at the toys it left the factory with
https://www.datamb.com/

 

[Srdl]

if no sat nav I doubt its comand at all ?

I was under the impression NTG meant a full comand system with navigation, and where does the media system come in to the equation

At that rate you might be better off exploring an aftermarket set up, there's a few here who think its great

type the chassis number in here and lets look at the toys it left the factory with
https://www.datamb.com/

I believe NTG relates to the head unit which can then be either Comand or Navigation 20 depending on the original specification.

 

[Duffy3074]

Interesting link to the VIN decoder, thanks for that

 

[Botus]

Audio 20 ….
DAB
UCI (which I guess is phone and media interface?)

do you not have issue with the DAB crashing in areas with lots of stations broadcast

could be brave and maybe waste a few quid trying

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes...a=0&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes...726987?hash=item3408ba4ecb:g:KPIAAOSwFVFboV5C

check what part you need here...

http://partsclub.info/view_models.php?lng=4&mfa_pc=1&mfa_id=553&mod_id=8160

 

[Duffy3074]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Anybody know where the iPod interface is physically located in the car?

 

[Duffy3074]

Bump on this for the location of the interface itself. I’m keen to look at the part number on what’s in situ and whilst I can pop the glove box out (and start physically tracing the cable from the socket to the interface) it might be a bit of a fools errand depending on where it’s stashed.

I see in some Mercedes it’s under the centre console for example

 

[Srdl]

@

Bump on this for the location of the interface itself. I’m keen to look at the part number on what’s in situ and whilst I can pop the glove box out (and start physically tracing the cable from the socket to the interface) it might be a bit of a fools errand depending on where it’s stashed.

I see in some Mercedes it’s under the centre console for example

@Alfie at ComandOnline would know

 

[Duffy3074]

Unfortunately Alfie doesn’t accepts messages on here.

 

[harrye500]

Hi Duffy3074, I have NTG4 Comand Harman and enabled the bluetooth streaming capability in the hidden menu in Command. I forget how to do it but it is a widely known fix but be careful if you access any hidden menus. It was a simple enable or disable Bluetooth from within that menu. Bluetooth seemingly isn't enabled by default. The actual bluetooth streaming is good quality from a phone, but the functionality on the screen is rudimentary and a bit clunky. I use a 16gb usb stick for all my music via the wired interface in the glovebox, it works faultlessly as long as you load your music on the stick logically via a PC, so comand can read it in a logical way.

 

[Duffy3074]

Thanks
I’ve tried the hidden Bluetooth hack and whilst I can tick the box, I get no functionality from it