Comand and bluetooth input

[FlavioM]

Hi guys, I own a 2008 R-class 320 4Matic.
A few days ago I bought a Bluetooth receiver to be connected to the Comand through the AUX input in the glovebox in order to play my music without the need for the smartphone to be physically connected to the cable and to answer calls using the microphone of the receiver.
However, since then, I started having issues with the Comand. Randomly, it would just shut off by itself and turn it on after a minute or so, or just not turn on at all anymore and show "Audio ----" message on the dashboard. Other times it works fine.
I also noticed that when the problem happens, also the compass in the dashboard shows "---".
Another interesting thing is that if the phone is physically connected to the AUX through the cable, and the bluetooth on the phone is on, the problem persists.

Is it possibile that a bluetooth device connected to the AUX input could be the cause for the Comand to randomly "misbehave"?

 

[Botus]

what was the add-on and when you unplug and turn off BT on the phone what happens?
not sure which unit you have NTG2.5 ?

I'd want to know the miles and vehicle use - if it low miles, low use, in normal temps, I start with checking the software the unit runs... people love to try new stuff on a system that was never updated - how would you expect 2008 original never fit for purpose buggy software to cope when you push it to its limits in 2022 ?

the fact compass has a moment might be interesting - does the nav work well. on quite a few the sat antenna dies and the car is lost, but it shouldn't impact anything else

if its high miles the cooling fan might be dead dying and its getting a little hot under the collar

post a pic of the new bit, the head unit in the fascia and the phone model, and if you manage the software iteration of the headunit

if it is an NTG2.5 unit this page info would help https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...or-command-ntg-2-5.192008/page-2#post-1979318

what have u got try and match against this

Head-Unit Version Fact Sheet - Braybrooks

Check which version of head-unit your Mercedes has in this easy to use guide. This will assist with understanding which products in our shop are relevant.

braybrooks.co.uk

 

[FlavioM]

Hi, I've got a NTG2 and the car has 102k miles. The Bluetooth receiver that I bought is a cheap one from Amazon, and it connects to the Comand through the AUX input in the glovebox.
I never use the Comand nav, anyway as I said when this black outs happen, the Comand shuts off and doesn't start again, just black screen
(or the Mercedes-Benz logo that turns to black screen after a while). During these black-outs, on the dash it says "Audio ---" and no compass indicator next to the airmatic sign. Sometimes they last only a few minutes, sometimes it doesn't turn on for a few hours. Other times it works fine.
Since these problems have begun since I bought the bluetooth receiver, I assume it has something to do with that, but I could be wrong.

 

[mioba]

unplug the blutooth and see what happens

 

[FlavioM]

Yes of course I've done that and it seems to work fine, but since I cannot be 100% sure of this correlation, I was wondering whether it is known that bluetooth devices plugged in through the AUX input could interfere with the normal functioning of the Comand unit

 

[LostKiwi]

Are you using Aux or the MMI 30 pin interface?

I have a 2011 R with NTG2.5 and the Bluetooth adapter I use in the MMI port works fine (aside from my stupid phone connecting and disconnecting every few minutes causing it to switch input). .
If you're using the MMI port try a USB adapter to see if that works correctly.

 

[FlavioM]

Hi, I am connecting it through the AUX.
Is the MMI port the one inside the upper part of the driver armrest?

 

[LostKiwi]

My MMI is in the top of the glovebox, right of centre about 20mm back. It's easy to recognise - the connector is about 25mm long and has 30 pins.

I can't see why Aux would cause the Comand unit to reboot.

 

[FlavioM]

Ok thanks.
Just one more question. With your bluetooth connected through the MMI, can you also manage your phone calls or is it just for music streaming?

 

[LostKiwi]

I only use it for music streaming and use the inbuilt Bluetooth for calls. Both can be connected at the same time.

The unit I use is:
Airdual Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G38THN9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Can also be controlled through steering wheel controls.

 

[FlavioM]

Ok.
The problem is that I don't have built-in bluetooth and so I was looking for something to let me play music and manage calls at the same time

 

[LostKiwi]

That does support phone as well, I just don't use it.

 

[FlavioM]

Which microphone does it use? Does it have a built-in one?

 

[LostKiwi]

No idea.
Like I said I don't use it but it does support it.
I'd guess phone.

 

[Botus]

@LostKiwi, earlier he says he has NTG2... but then I don't get the compass message???

@FalvioM, above the CD slot is there a SD card memory card slot ?

 

[LostKiwi]

Might be worth posting a picture of the head unit.

 

[FlavioM]

Botus, I don't have SD card slot above CD



When I mentioned the compass, I meant the one in the instrument cluster. When these black outs happen, below compass i just see "---"

 

[LostKiwi]

Are you sure yours doesn't have Bluetooth?
What's the VIN - let's have a look at the build sheet.

 

[FlavioM]

VIN is WDC2510221A069240

 

[LostKiwi]

Ok here it is.
Looks like you don't have the 30 pin UCI connector (code 518) so the unit I have won't work)

It has universal telephone prep so I thought that included Bluetooth for calls?