PCM / Navigation issue: Stuck DVD & Disc not recognised

[Mark_J_W]

I'm having an issue with my sat-nav which is confusing me and I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced anything similar.

The car is a 2006 Boxster S with PCM (with Bose as I think this can make a difference with software updates etc). It’s running an aftermarket DVD which has worked fine for the few months I’ve had the car – this one: http://www.satnav-update.com/porsche-2012-2013-pcm...

A few days ago I was attempting to put in a destination into the sat-nav but was receiving an audible message saying “insert navigation CD” and I would get the following displaying on the PCM:


At this point I went to remove the disc, thinking maybe it was dirty or something. Unfortunately it will not eject at all. All the lights are on (regardless of whether the ignition is on as I assume it’s permanently powered like the PCM), but will not eject and doesn’t make any noises like it’s trying to eject.

After searching on the web, I attempted a few of the things I could see were being advised e.g. the soft reset on the PCM (holding 1,4 & 8 down if I recall correctly) which didn’t work. I then removed the fuse (D9) and replaced in the hope that this would “reset” the DVD unit and release the disc, this didn’t work either.
After removing & replacing the fuse, the Navigation now doesn’t work at all. It simply shows a “Starting Navigation” message like this when viewing the map:


And a “Navigation System Being Started” message when you go to the Navigation button (see below) The status seems fine and it has visibility of satellites etc:


At this point I thought I’d remove the DVD unit in the hope that I would find a loose connection or would be able to manually eject the disc.
Unfortunately this wasn’t successful either and when I opened the unit I couldn’t release the disc (seems to be clamped down, with no manual release). All the connections looked okay though, including the optical one which was flashing as you’d expect.

I’ve now got as far as I can without asking for some advice as I didn’t want to continue to disassemble anything any further!

The current software version for the Navigation is below:


I’m hoping that it’s just a dodgy disc and once ejected & replacing with a fresh disc it will go back to normal. Otherwise perhaps the drive itself has died.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? The only thing I could find when searching was this, which pretty much describes the issue but doesn’t have any responses:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=106...

Any help would be hugely appreciated as I’m stumped by this one!

Cheers,
Mark

Edited by Mark_J_W on Friday 27th December 15:39

Edited by Mark_J_W on Friday 27th December 16:37

[mankey]

Hi Mark

You've tried all the things I would have suggested in a situation like this. The only thing that does occur to me and you probably achieved this when you took the DVD unit out, is to pull the power for that. I just went out to check the unit in my own car and although I have a 911, it'll have the same navigation kit as you. I can see the DVD drive is removeable by pressing the pink'ish clips on each side and sliding out. I guess you've already been through that.

There will be a way of extracting the DVD, but it may only be through dismantling the unit, which isn't much help to you.

[Mark_J_W]

Thanks for the response mankey & for comparing it to the setup in your car.

Unfortunately though, I've had the unit out of the car as you suggest e.g. using the pink clips & disconnecting the cabling to try and reset the unit.

I did also dissemble the unit (there is a cover you can take off in order to expose the mechanism / DVD). But I've got no idea on how to force it to eject the disc though . Was quite worried about breaking something so put it back in the car!

I do seem to have had some success in diagnosing the fault though, I've started a thread on Boxa.net which has given a few ideas on how to solve it:
http://www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=5935...

[mgstu]

Hi,
This is my first post and I am sorry to resurrect this topic, although I do have a question I have not seen asked:
Can I anyone tell me the latest versions for PCM 2.1?

I have the following:
Software version 4.0
- Phone not found therefore NA
- PCM, no target, actual = 05395BD1/4505
- System Software, no target, actual = 05462AD1/4605
- Amplifier, no target, actual = 00017600/3105
- Navigation, no target, actual = 00174434/4305

I have seen other postings where a target value has also appeared in supporting pictures so I am not sure what it means that I have no target software version displayed.

Incidentally I also have thedisc removal problem discussed in this topic, when I pressed eject the light flashes but the disc does not appear.

Any info / gracefully appreciated.
Martin

[mgstu]

Hi,
An update, I managed to get the DVD out of the Navigation system and it appears to be Porsche original dated 05.2006, and has the following serial numbers - 997.642.255.04.

Reading other posts there seems to be mixed information regarding the virtues and risks involved with updating software for use with newer maps, as well as the extortionate costs involved.

I have the same dilemma as I am sure many others have had regarding whether to spend money on an old but fully integrated system CM 2.1) or replace it with a new all singing and dancing touchscreen double din unit. I am thinking of kenwood which seems to rate highly in reviews.

If anyone has replaced their PCM 2.1 lately can they please let me know what they replaced it with and what their experience has been to date do you have any regrets, what have you lost regards integration, ie radio station in info screen, navigation in info screen, use of steering wheel buttons for phone pick-up/hang-up etc.

Many thanks
Martin

[srwhittle]

How did you get the DVD out in the end? I have a 2006 987 and have the same problem with the disc refusing to be ejected.