DB9 sat nav screen motor - weak?

[Crazy_Sean]

Hi all,

Took a look through the search but couldn't find anything...... which is always scary when you think you might be the only one with the issue.

2008 DB9. Recently had the cogs replaced as it was grinding. Since then the screen gets a little stuck when moving to the hmm... 'erect' position. Wondered if there was a solution for this?

[Simpo Two]

It's an odd one. Mine got 'stuck' recently. It had been working fine, then suddenly stuck fast. I disconnected the spring wires that connected it to the lid and hauled it up by force (there being no other way). With the lid disconnected it then went up and done as usual. So I reconnected one wire - and then it stuck again.

Unfortunately if you leave the spring wires disconnected so you can use the satnav, the lid flaps about when driving over our less-than-perfect British roads. I haven't found the answer.

A nice idea badly executed, in that both parts have to move, and to move in synchrony.

[Aston Installations]

We get this on a regular basis, especially on the earlier cars. There is a slip clutch buried in amongst the cog set, this goes shiny after a while and doesn't allow the screen to lift up properly. It needs disassembling and the clutch surface rubber 'roughing up' a little and then it grips the opposing surface better.

Hope that helps.

James

[Crazy_Sean]

Hi James,

Yes that helps no end. Thank you. I've seen a bunch of your work on youtube - very impressive.

[Simpo Two]

Aston Installations said:

We get this on a regular basis, especially on the earlier cars. There is a slip clutch buried in amongst the cog set, this goes shiny after a while and doesn't allow the screen to lift up properly. It needs disassembling and the clutch surface rubber 'roughing up' a little and then it grips the opposing surface better.

Good reply, many thanks. I hope you'll check in more often to assist us Aston owners

Why does it have a slip clutch and not just cogs? Any idea why the system wasn't designed with the satnav and lid as a single unit?


While I'm on, can you replace the original satnav with a modern unit? I wouldn't say my satnav is clunky but it has 'Lego' on it and spoils the ownership experience.

[Nigel_O]

Simpo Two said:

While I'm on, can you replace the original satnav with a modern unit?

As I understand it, the inbuilt satnav CAN be replaced with a modern unit such as TomTom, Garmin etc, but you then lose the abilty to control it with controls in the centre stack. It's also a long reach to the OE screen position, so a touch-screen unit becomes a bit of a pain to use.

Aston Installations has developed a way of mirroring a phone onto the built in screen (which can be replaced with a higher-resolution unit) which allows the existing satnav to be used, or something like Waze / Google Maps

[Riddochg]

Yes Aston do Android and Apple CarPlay. Transforms not just the sat nav but everything else. You can play Apple Music or Spotify straight through the system. Any other app supported by Apple or Google for CarPlay also works.

You control using a small scrolling wheel. Very simple when you get the hang of it.

A new option is to update the screen itself to something modern and high resolution. Still sits under the retractable lid just much much sharper.
Brings the whole thing bang up to date.

[Simpo Two]

Nigel_O said:

Simpo Two said:

While I'm on, can you replace the original satnav with a modern unit?

As I understand it, the inbuilt satnav CAN be replaced with a modern unit such as TomTom, Garmin etc, but you then lose the abilty to control it with controls in the centre stack. It's also a long reach to the OE screen position, so a touch-screen unit becomes a bit of a pain to use.

I have long arms so reaching the screen to operate it is fine. It would also be quicker and easier to use than jiggling the joystick about. But IIRC the functionality to raise the unit is actually inside the Volvo unit, and you need to get power from somewhere, so there's some serious modification to do.

[EVR]

Riddochg said:

A new option is to update the screen itself to something modern and high resolution. Still sits under the retractable lid just much much sharper.
Brings the whole thing bang up to date.

Actually, I have contacted them inquiring about this as I was interested in just updating the screen (hence the resolution) but keeping the original system in place.

You will not see a great benefit according to them, since the original system is outputting a low, fixed resolution, so the new screen will just scale down its higher resolution.

To see benefits, you have to install the full kit, with the new controller, and I am not interested in this.