Porsche Sat Nav Systems

[Accord Type R]

2002 Boxster (220hp, plastic back window) just bought the car and it turns out to be an ex demo car so has had PCM added to sell just before the facelift.

Sat Nav worked fine for about 50 miles and then the map disappeared and the two amber lights flashing and the message 'Initializing Navigation System' on the screen, but it never does. The top one is the power supply light and the lower the cd read in process - I assume this must be some kind of error message.

Removed the cd drive, left for 24 hours to discharge capacitors etc and reset the unit, used lens cleaner and polished cd with microfibre cloth, works for a bit and then same problem.

Anybody had similar problem before I start changing bits, the CD reader unit alone is £1500 + vat from Porsche (Dick Turpin at least used to wear a mask!!) Apparently Siemens overhaul them for £250 with all new inside, however I'm not convinced it's the CD unit.

I know it would probably be a better and cheaper plan to buy one from Aldi - but I can't bear bit's not working on cars!

Any help gratefully received.
Cheers

[H_Kan]

SOGA, the car is not fit for purpose, especially if it was sold with the sat nav as a feature. If you bought the car in the last month or so then I'd guess you have a very good chance of getting it sorted out.

[Towzer]

I had a screen problem on mine a while ago and sent it to Putnoe Radio Services who refurbished the entire system for £520 inc vat and delivery... far cheaper than Porsche. The PCM unit isn't covered by Porsche extended warranty either.

You could try a second navi CD, at least that will eliminate a faulty disc.

Phil

[Mustard]

In my experience you'll struggle to get anyone to repair PCM1 systems (Putnoe certainly wont tounch screen units, not sure about the separate CD Drive)

If I you'd have posted a week earlier I could have sold you a secondhand drive, but the 2 I had have both now been sold on ebay for just shy of £200 each

When PCM1 fails, if you intend keeping the car replace it with a Pioneer or Kenwood or such like unit (circa £700) which fills the double din slot and replace the CD Drive with CD storage or oddments chubby, as lets face it, PCM1 is 10yrs old and pretty naff in its abilities

[Accord Type R]

Thanks for all the replies - much appreciated. I agree that the system is pretty useless these days, however being able to drive along with a map on display is good. Latest on it is that initializes OK every time runs for about 20 mins and then re-initializes itself, so I suspect there is very little wrong with it and one of these stupid things that if it's taken apart and put back together again it seems to fix it and get better - but you never really know what you have done!!

Longer term, I think systems built into cars are a rip off and rapidly go out of date, I think dealers are a little baffled as well when they go wrong. If it's a company car and is only kept under warranty, all well and good, but for the rest of us as the car get's older it's a pain.

If I am ever in the position to order a new Porsche then a PCM will not be on the extras list!!

Thanks again