No screen/head unit (inc USB, radio, reverse cam)

[CardiffFamily]

Good morning.

First post, hoping anyone here could offer me any advice.

Head unit (screen with radio, reverse cam, sat nav etc) started playing up and on starting engine would occasionally not work (1 in 20 starts). Screen blank, USB charger not working. Over the course of a couple weeks it got worse (1 in 10 starts) until it eventually stopped all together.

After having it looked at garage said probably loose connection, fuse or update required.

Took to Mercedes initially told me update taking a long time for the update to take and could need new head unit. Asked them to please retry the update again. Said they’d try again and kept it for 4 days. On 4th day called to say: “Carried out short test, no communication with head unit. Wiring to head unit all ok. Head unit update failed. New head unit.”

They said the update was taking too long. Is there a possibility that the update could still work if I took it somewhere else that we’re happy to wait for the update to go through? Or does it sound like a definite new head set? If so… can anyone recommend a place that could do it (other than Mercedes themselves)?

Attached photos of what my unit looks like.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

Screens failing is an unfortunate consequence of modern electronics in cars. Updates won’t fix a failing display, new one required. Mine went at just over a year in my W213 E-Class

 

[CardiffFamily]

Hello and welcome

Screens failing is an unfortunate consequence of modern electronics in cars. Updates won’t fix a failing display, new one required. Mine went at just over a year in my W213 E-Class

Thanks so much for your reply. You’d think modern electronics would be more repairable. Just hoping I can get it done somewhere at a slightly more reasonable rate.

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks so much for your reply. You’d think modern electronics would be more repairable. Just hoping I can get it done somewhere at a slightly more reasonable rate.

With multi-layer boards and surface mount unidentifiable chips it’s just about impossible to repair - (I’ve replaced quite a few surface mount chips and components and it’s not particularly easy or easy) - replacement of the unit is really the only economical way (unfortunately)

 

[V6Matty]

You could try comandonline over in lightwater, the rates will be better than the main dealer and they may give the update a try first, but it could well be just stuck writing to the hdd at which point yes probably into new head unit territory