MOST COMAND-APS: Difference between revisions

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== File System Damage ==
== File System Damage ==
Several W220 owners have experienced COMAND failure which results in error message "Flash file system damaged - will be formated now. Please don't switch off." being shown.
Several W220 owners have experienced COMAND failure which results in error message
The reappearing error suggests about COMAND flash file system damage. It is unclear whether updating firmware fixes this issue.
"Flash file system damaged - will be formated now. Please don't switch off."  
or
"Flash file system will be formatted. All user data lost. It could take up to 5 minutes. Please do not switch off!"
being shown.
The reappearing error suggests COMAND flash file system damage. It is unclear whether updating firmware fixes this issue.


[[File:W220_COMAND_MOST_file_system_damaged.jpg|thumb|none|COMAND shows file system damaged error.]]
{|
|[[File:W220_COMAND_MOST_file_system_damaged.jpg|thumb|none|COMAND shows file system damaged error.]]
|[[File:W220_COMAND_MOST_file_system_will_be_formatted.jpg|thumb|none|COMAND shows file system format message.]]
|}

Revision as of 16:26, 10 July 2016

COMAND-APS (ECE)

For vehicles with option code 527 (ECE):

Part No. Notes
A2208271942 From Date: 28/10/2003, To Date: 30/06/2004
A2208274142 From Date: 28/10/2003, To Date: 30/06/2004
A2208702189 From Date: 29/06/2004, To Date: 01/12/2004, Replaced by: A2208702389
A2208702389 From Date: 29/06/2004, To Date: 01/12/2004
A2208703389 From Date: 01/12/2004, To Date: 04/04/2005, Replaced by: A2208703789
A2208703789 From Date: 01/12/2004, Replaced by: A2208702589
A2208702589 From Date: 01/12/2004, No cassette player

COMAND-APS (USA)

For vehicles with option code 530 (USA):

The USA COMAND version from ECE version does not differ much. In USA version all buttons have text while ECE version uses pictograms. A significant difference is that USA version has "SAT" button for Satellite Radio, while ECE version has "VIDEO" button for watching DVDs and optionally TV.

Part No. Notes
A2208272042 From Date: 24/04/2003, To Date: 30/06/2004, Replaced by: A2208274242
A2208274242 From Date: 24/04/2003, To Date: 30/06/2004
A2208701089 From Date: 31/07/2003, To Date: 01/12/2004, Replaced by: A2208702289
A2208702289 From Date: 31/07/2003, To Date: 01/12/2004, Replaced by: A2208702489
A2208702489 From Date: 31/07/2003, To Date: 01/12/2004
A2208703489 From Date: 01/12/2004, Replaced by: A2208703889
A2208703889 From Date: 01/12/2004

COMAND-APS (Japan)

Although MOST powered, Japanese version of COMAND-APS system (option code 529) is completely different and therefore most likely nothing covered in this wiki applies to Japanese system.

Part Numbers

For vehicles with option code 529 (Japan):

Part No. Notes
A2208206089 From Date: 30/09/2002 To Date: 14/01/2004
A2208701189 From Date: 14/01/2004 (replaced by A2208703189)
A2208703189 From Date: 14/01/2004


Wiring diagram

COMAND-APS with connector plugged in.
COMAND-APS connector socket.
Connector housing (A0005458730).
MQS 12-pin and MOST 2-pin plugs unplugged from housing.
MQS 12-pin plug (A0025458540).
MOST 2-pin plug (A0025459040).

MOST 2-pin plug:

  • 1 (orange) - MOST in
  • 2 (orange) - MOST out

MQS 12-pin plug:

  • 1 (brown) - Ground (left inner door sill - ECE, right inner door sill - USA)
  • 2 (red/yellow) - Fuse 22 in left fuse box
  • 3 (blue/black) - MOST wakeup
  • 9 (white) - FBAS (rear display system intermediate connector)
  • 10 (transparent) - GND FBAS (rear display system intermediate connector)

Hidden Menu

COMAND-APS hidden menu can be accessed by pressing buttons MUTE+1+3 and holding for a few seconds while in "Audio" menu.

Accessing COMAND-APS hidden menu.



Firmware Update

The latest COMAND-APS update disk for ECE and US models is W220589052200 released 04/10/2006 and updates COMAND-APS firmware to SW-Rel 22/06 - 25/06.

W220589052200 case.
W220589052200 inside.
W220589052200 instructions.

Insert disk into the head unit and wait until update process finishes.

Changes Introduced

There have been reports that firmware update is required after phone retrofits to get communication platform functionality recognized. Seemingly there are no visual changes introduced other than a new option in the hidden menu "Copy autostore stations to stat" that copies radio stations found to station buttons.

Hidden menu option "Copy autostore stations to stat" in the latest COMAND-APS firmware.

Software Version in COMAND-APS Hidden Menu

The software version of head unit can be viewed in COMAND-APS hidden menu under "Components -> Media -> Software Versions / ???".

Before update. SW Week 40/03.
After update. SW Week 25/06.

Older Updates

The update disk W220589022200 has been made obsolete by the release of W220589052200 above.

W220589022200 update disk.

MP3 DVD Burning

The COMAND can play MP3 files from a DVD disk inserted in the head unit. However for what ever reason burning mp3 files for use in a W220 is not easy.

The main issues are:

  • It can take up to several minutes while COMAND loads the play list.
  • DVD Dual Layer disks are not supported. COMAND reads the first layer, but not the second.
  • COMAND supports subfolders. You can organize tracks in structure "Artist -> Album -> ..."
  • Burn using ISO9660 + Joliet file system.
  • Try to burn using the most compatible speed (usually slower is better).

Video in Motion

By default COMAND will not show video (DVD/TV) if vehicle is in motion. There are hardware kits available that on the CAN level block speed signal from reaching the COMAND, however, video in motion can be easily enabled using SDS.

Video in motion enabling menu in SDS.

AV Test DVD

MB part number W240589002200. Not COMAND specific. Can be used to test any DVD and audio system.

W240589002200 cover.
W240589002200 disks.
Audio test menu.
Video test menu.

COMAND Removal

STEP 1: Using a plastic pry tool, pry up on wooden trim above the radio to relaese plastic snaps.
STEP 2: Unscrew the 2 mounting screws above the radio.
STEP 3: Unscrew the 2 mounting screws below the ash tray.
STEP 4: Pull AC controls away from the dash to unclip 2 clips on each side of the dash.
STEP 5: Unscrew 2 mounting screws below the radio. Pull the unit out of the dash.


COMAND Removal.


Laser Replacement

The part number for laser is SF-HD4 with the straight flex cable. They come in two variants, one with the black cover and one with the white cover. The white cover replaces the black cover but either will do. They range from $15 dollars to $30 depending on the seller. There are many places online which sell it once you type in the model number like ebay etc.

Original laser (on the left) and aftermarket laser (on the right).
COMAND dissected.

File System Damage

Several W220 owners have experienced COMAND failure which results in error message "Flash file system damaged - will be formated now. Please don't switch off." or "Flash file system will be formatted. All user data lost. It could take up to 5 minutes. Please do not switch off!" being shown. The reappearing error suggests COMAND flash file system damage. It is unclear whether updating firmware fixes this issue.

COMAND shows file system damaged error.
COMAND shows file system format message.