Mercedes car-kit can't initiate calls in iOS 4.3 (GM)

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Mercedes car-kit can't initiate calls in iOS 4.3 (GM)

Since I've updated my iPhone 4 to iOS 4.3 (GM) yesterday I'm not able to make outgoing calls using my Mercedes iPhone car-kit.
Apple first introduced a huge bug with iOS 4.0 where you couldn't load your phone book with the car-kit. It took them 3(!) releases to fix that.

And now once again...they crippled the usability of the car-kit.

iPhone 4, iOS 4

Posted on Mar 4, 2011 12:55 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 11, 2011 6:23 AM in response to SolarX

Ok, so what Mercedes do you have, do you have a phone cradle in there, and what kind is it ?

There is a firmware update for the Mercedes iPhone 3G/3GS cradle which may fix this. If your cradle has SW 4608, then that is the old firmware..

Richard

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Answer 2

SolarX Author

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Mar 11, 2011 6:26 AM in response to Richard Almeida

I have the all new Mercedes iPhone 4 cradle that came out 2 weeks ago.

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Answer 3

Mar 11, 2011 3:52 PM in response to SolarX

I have exactly the same problem the latest iPhone 4 cradle with sound interface cable I bought last week. Software version 5010. Mercedes C200 with iPod interface, Comand and telephone pre wire. Any ideas.

Message was edited by: jonathanglass

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Answer 4

SolarX Author

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Mar 12, 2011 12:43 AM in response to jonathanglass

I called Peiker Acustic (the OEM manufacturer that produces the cradle for Mercedes and other makers). They were very nice but in sense told me, that apple doesn't even talk to them and that they themselves buy their iPhones (for developing new hardware) in a retail store...
On the other hand I've opened a bug report with Apple a week ago...they don't even bother...it still has the initial state "open"...

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Answer 5

Mar 12, 2011 5:12 AM in response to SolarX

I have just found the solution to the problem with iOS 4.3 and the Bluetooth link to the cradle. It all appears OK until you try and make an outgoing call when you get a message saying "call not possible".
The solution is to do the following.
On the iPhone go to Settings, Bluetooth, right arrow to the iPhone Cradle and press "forget device".
Then rebind (re-pair) as normal from when it was new and it will all spring to life. For those that have forgotten the Mercedes cradle pairing code it is 62872.
Regards
Jonathan

Message was edited by: jonathanglass

Message was edited by: jonathanglass

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Answer 6

SolarX Author

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Mar 12, 2011 8:33 AM in response to jonathanglass

I did this last week with no success...but I will try again...
Curiously my old 3G/S cradle works perfect and I'm glad I haven't sold it yet.

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Answer 7

Mar 13, 2011 10:27 AM in response to SolarX

The electronics inside the iPhone 4 cradle are exactly the same as the iPhone 3 cradle the only difference being the inductance pick up for the antenna. The main board has the same part number. Your dealership can up or downgrade the firmware via their STAR system if they have the cradle interface so worth asking them if you are still having difficulty.

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Answer 8

SolarX Author

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Mar 13, 2011 10:31 AM in response to jonathanglass

Thank you for that information. Can you tell me how to find out what firmware version is installed in my cradle.

Thanx!

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Answer 9

SolarX Author

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Mar 13, 2011 10:46 AM in response to SolarX

Ok, I got my new iPhone 4 cradle to work again 🙂
I did repair it before with no positive effect. And used my old 3G/S cradle for the past few days with no problem at all.
Today I "deleted" all bluetooth connections on my iPhone 4 (even headsets and my computer). Then I paired it again with the iPhone 4 cradle and now everything works fine.

Cheers

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Answer 10

SolarX Author

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Mar 14, 2011 2:00 AM in response to SolarX

I must revise my previous post 😟
This morning dialing didn't work again. I had to unplug the cradle and replug it. After that it was working...
But this can't be a permanent solution!

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Answer 11

SolarX Author

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Mar 14, 2011 2:01 AM in response to SolarX

I've marked the question as unanswered...

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Answer 12

Mar 14, 2011 2:25 AM in response to SolarX

The firmware is the SW number on the label on the cradle. That is what it has unless MB have upgraded it for you. Mine has worked without issue since re-pairing it and I too had gone back to my 3GS cradle first. I don't have the SW number for my 3GS cradle as it had been updated with a patch after the last issue with iOS 4 and the missing contact names. That is how I know the cradles can be flashed.
The first clue that something is wrong is the term "connecting" on the COMAND screen when a call is initialised. It should say "calling" not connecting.
I would suggest you try resetting the network features on your iPhone in case there is a damaged line of code in there.
Do let us know how you get on.

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Answer 13

SolarX Author

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Mar 14, 2011 10:18 AM in response to jonathanglass

My all new iPhone 4 cradle (2 weeks old) shows SW Version 4810 on the back. I'm a bit confused because Jonathanglass was talking about 5010 to be the newest version.
Why would a brand new cradle have an old firmware?

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Answer 14

Mar 14, 2011 3:54 PM in response to SolarX

I have just looked at mine again and it is definitely 5010. As I need the audio lead it was not from the first batch released so that would probably explain the difference. It has remained faultless since the re-pair.

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Answer 15

Mar 15, 2011 3:37 PM in response to jonathanglass

Bad news. Mine has failed again after 3 days and will not respond to a re-pairing or reboot or unplugging. It is still working though with the old iPhone 3 cradle. Mmmm, I will have a word with the MB dealer tomorrow.

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