CD Changer Problem

kcscout · 10-19-2009, 05:03 PM

Hey guys. I am a new owner of a 2000 S500. Among the problems I have is that my CD changer skips excessively on bumpy roads. I cannot imagine that is normal since antiskip technology has been around for years. I also own an older W140 (S320) and the CD's never skipped. what can be the problem. Will I need a new changer or just some adjustments, cleaning, etc.

HELP PLEASE.

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Corsa9000 · 10-19-2009, 07:06 PM

All car CD changers skip a bit, the system stores a few seconds of the music in a buffer for when continuity breaks. Your problem might be caused by the buffer not working, no fix for it, just replacement.

cameraman123 · 10-19-2009, 08:10 PM

Does it skip skip, or is it fading out into static?

kcscout · 10-20-2009, 01:40 PM

Some of both. This is my wife's car and she has been complaining about the cd changer ever since we got it. Her old car was a 98 S420 and the OEM changer was rock solid even on the most bumpy roads. I rode with her last night in the S500 and the changer could not complete a single song without excessive skipping and fading in and out. This is more that just a buffer issue. I figure I will need to replace the changer. I tried to remove the changer to confirm the MB part number on the bottom, but after removing the two screws holding the bracket to the trunk surface I could not lift the changer out. Is there another release somewhere. I could not see anything holding it down, but it would not slide up. Do I need to remove the amplifier at the same time as the changer?? That would be difficult as the lower mounting screws don't look accessible. Does anyone have removal instructions for this vintage vehicle??

Reckless · 10-20-2009, 02:07 PM

I have the same problem, skipping and never re-buffering. I completely gave up on using it and use the in dash cd player.

kcscout · 10-20-2009, 02:30 PM

You can do that. I thought that CD slot was just for the NAV disks. It will play music CD's too?????

kcscout · 10-21-2009, 11:37 PM

OK, so I have been looking for a replacement CD changer and found several models but I am not sure which ones are compatible with my 2000 S500. Mine is a MC3010 but can anyone tell me if other models will work as well.

Skylaw · 10-22-2009, 10:12 AM

kcscout,

Your problem could also be caused by a dirty laser head (try a commercial laser cleaning disc) or a mis-positioned orientation switch. Most CDCs have a switch, usually on the bottom, that set its compensation for vertical or horizontal use. I don't know where the switch is on your unit, but the settings are marked H and V. It should be set to V.

You can get the part numbers for your CDC from the phone bulletin (yes, the phone bulletin) at http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsit..._bulletins.htm. Of course, it is also located on a label on the unit. You will need a replacement unit that matches that part number - the units are not freely substitutable, and I know of no 3rd party units that will work with COMAND. However, a web search will put you in contact with companies that repair the units, or offer overhauled units. Of course, the dealer will sell you a new one - it's expensive.

In your car the single slot in the COMAND unit is only for nav discs. Later cars and different models with COMAND had a single music CD slot in addition to the nav disc slot, but those were behind the nav screen. Your car does not have that. Don't put a music CD in the nav slot - you could damage the nav reader (but usually you'll just get a "disc not recognized" message or something similar).

kcscout · 10-27-2009, 03:12 PM

Skylaw: I confirmed most everything you said. I pulled my unit out to confirm which model I have and it is a MC3198 (not MC3010 as I thought). I had to remove the trunk liner from the entire driver side of the trunk to be able to get to the two strange nuts holding the amp portion of the bracket and to be able to lift the entire assembly out to see the bottom of the DC changer. I did not see any switches on the unit (for orientation). I did pick up a laser head cleaner and put it through the cycle multiple times. CD's will play fine as long as the vehicle is not in motion, in which case the CD's will skip repeatedly. I found a place in Houston that advertises a repair/return for this unit on eBay for $139. That will be my next move.

Thanks again for the assistance.

Skylaw · 10-27-2009, 05:54 PM

The "switch" may be a round recessed disc with a coin-width slot; if so, it will have a small arrow that will move from "H" to "V".

bamberger_1 · 10-28-2009, 11:20 AM

If your player is still giving you headaches check this out, a relatively simple, cheap and DIY solution
http://www.mercedes-player.com/epage...jectID=1489801

kcscout · 11-03-2009, 12:44 PM

How does the Command Unit interface with this MP3 player. How would you select from the tracks stored on the various disck you could insert?????

10-19-2009, 08:10 PM	#3
cameraman123 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 208 Drives: 2000 Mercedes Benz S500 Designo	Does it skip skip, or is it fading out into static? __________________ 2000 Mercedes Benz S500 Designo (Production date 7/99)

10-20-2009, 02:07 PM	#5
Reckless Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 215 Drives: Mercedes S600TT LET Tune	I have the same problem, skipping and never re-buffering. I completely gave up on using it and use the in dash cd player. __________________ 2005 S600 V12TT LET Tune

10-22-2009, 10:12 AM	#8
Skylaw MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,154 Drives: 2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL	kcscout, Your problem could also be caused by a dirty laser head (try a commercial laser cleaning disc) or a mis-positioned orientation switch. Most CDCs have a switch, usually on the bottom, that set its compensation for vertical or horizontal use. I don't know where the switch is on your unit, but the settings are marked H and V. It should be set to V. You can get the part numbers for your CDC from the phone bulletin (yes, the phone bulletin) at http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsit..._bulletins.htm. Of course, it is also located on a label on the unit. You will need a replacement unit that matches that part number - the units are not freely substitutable, and I know of no 3rd party units that will work with COMAND. However, a web search will put you in contact with companies that repair the units, or offer overhauled units. Of course, the dealer will sell you a new one - it's expensive. In your car the single slot in the COMAND unit is only for nav discs. Later cars and different models with COMAND had a single music CD slot in addition to the nav disc slot, but those were behind the nav screen. Your car does not have that. Don't put a music CD in the nav slot - you could damage the nav reader (but usually you'll just get a "disc not recognized" message or something similar). __________________ 2005 S500 4-Matic with Gateway 500 iPod integration 1978 450SL restoration project Formerly: 2000 S500 with Ice>Link Plus iPod integration, MikBox, and Upgraded voice control Last edited by Skylaw; 10-22-2009 at 10:14 AM.

10-27-2009, 05:54 PM	#10
Skylaw MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,154 Drives: 2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL	The "switch" may be a round recessed disc with a coin-width slot; if so, it will have a small arrow that will move from "H" to "V". __________________ 2005 S500 4-Matic with Gateway 500 iPod integration 1978 450SL restoration project Formerly: 2000 S500 with Ice>Link Plus iPod integration, MikBox, and Upgraded voice control

10-28-2009, 11:20 AM	#11
bamberger_1 Super Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 790 Drives: '00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124	MP40 Player vs CDC If your player is still giving you headaches check this out, a relatively simple, cheap and DIY solution http://www.mercedes-player.com/epage...jectID=1489801 __________________ Bamberger_1

10-19-2009, 07:06 PM	#2
Corsa9000 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 67 Drives: 2004 S55 ///AMG	All car CD changers skip a bit, the system stores a few seconds of the music in a buffer for when continuity breaks. Your problem might be caused by the buffer not working, no fix for it, just replacement.

10-20-2009, 01:40 PM	#4
kcscout Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Drives: 97' S320 & 00" S500	Some of both. This is my wife's car and she has been complaining about the cd changer ever since we got it. Her old car was a 98 S420 and the OEM changer was rock solid even on the most bumpy roads. I rode with her last night in the S500 and the changer could not complete a single song without excessive skipping and fading in and out. This is more that just a buffer issue. I figure I will need to replace the changer. I tried to remove the changer to confirm the MB part number on the bottom, but after removing the two screws holding the bracket to the trunk surface I could not lift the changer out. Is there another release somewhere. I could not see anything holding it down, but it would not slide up. Do I need to remove the amplifier at the same time as the changer?? That would be difficult as the lower mounting screws don't look accessible. Does anyone have removal instructions for this vintage vehicle??

10-20-2009, 02:30 PM	#6
kcscout Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Drives: 97' S320 & 00" S500	You can do that. I thought that CD slot was just for the NAV disks. It will play music CD's too?????

10-21-2009, 11:37 PM	#7
kcscout Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Drives: 97' S320 & 00" S500	OK, so I have been looking for a replacement CD changer and found several models but I am not sure which ones are compatible with my 2000 S500. Mine is a MC3010 but can anyone tell me if other models will work as well.

10-27-2009, 03:12 PM	#9
kcscout Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Drives: 97' S320 & 00" S500	Skylaw: I confirmed most everything you said. I pulled my unit out to confirm which model I have and it is a MC3198 (not MC3010 as I thought). I had to remove the trunk liner from the entire driver side of the trunk to be able to get to the two strange nuts holding the amp portion of the bracket and to be able to lift the entire assembly out to see the bottom of the DC changer. I did not see any switches on the unit (for orientation). I did pick up a laser head cleaner and put it through the cycle multiple times. CD's will play fine as long as the vehicle is not in motion, in which case the CD's will skip repeatedly. I found a place in Houston that advertises a repair/return for this unit on eBay for $139. That will be my next move. Thanks again for the assistance.

11-03-2009, 12:44 PM	#12
kcscout Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Drives: 97' S320 & 00" S500	How does the Command Unit interface with this MP3 player. How would you select from the tracks stored on the various disck you could insert?????

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