OEM Nav Unit Losing Satellite Communication...What's going on? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

LSUMatt1514 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-29-2008, 08:45 PM

Alright...I am starting to lean towards believing that Toyota nav units are absolute pieces of crap! I just bought a 2008 Crewmax Limited with nav. I've noticed on NUMEROUS occasions already that the "GPS" logo in the top left corner disappears and the little arrow has me either on another street or driving through a pasture somewhere!!!

Ironically, the same thing has happened with my wife's 2006 Sequoia Limited NUMEROUS times. They replaced her nav unit under warranty, swapped nav discs with the latest version, checked everything in the world on three different visits and could find nothing wrong. Hers does EXACTLY the same thing and my '08 Tundra!!!

Two different vehicles...two different years...two different style nav units...both losing the "GPS" signal. It is obvious that the nav unit is not talking with the satellites when "GPS" disappears because this is when you show up on the wrong road, driving through a pasture, etc.

What's the deal guys? Has anyone else experienced this? We paid a lot of money for these units for them to be acting up like they are and her Sequoia is now out of warranty. The weird thing is that it comes and goes. Sometimes no "GPS", turn the trucks off and then back on, and there it is. Other times, it won't come back until you've been driving for 10 minutes.

I should note...the only common denominator is that we both have Vais Technology "boxes" for satellite radio integration into the factory nav unit but I see no way this being the root of the problem. It is completely independent and a completely independent harness.

What is causing them to lose communication with the satellites? Please help! Thanks!

Matt

rl4673 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 02:18 AM

Mine does the same thing.. I'll be driving down I95 and all of a sudden you'll see my little arrow going through the Chesapeake Bay.. It's almost comical now to me. I have the 10k service coming up and a nice long list of $hit that is out of whack. They'll probably have it a week trying to get it all fixed, ordered and replaced. I'm not picking it up until all of it is done.

LSUMatt1514 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 11:55 AM

Well...good luck with the GPS situation. It was never resolved under my wife's warranty and now my brand new Tundra is doing it. What is up with the Toyota nav units?!?!?!?!?

Matt

LSUMatt1514 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 06:37 PM

Please let me know what you come up with so I can pass it on to my dealer. Thanks!!!

Matt

larycut · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 07:05 PM

Hi, it sounds like a intermitting problem with the antenna maybe a pinch antenna cable or a loose connection, have them check the radio for the antenna connection maybe not locked into place, also have them check connection at atenna or have them replace it. If they are unable to correct the problem call Toyota get a ticket going on this, that is alot of money for something not work. Good luck

Larry

BossV-Twin · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2008, 10:11 AM

I recently did a self-install of the factory XM unit about 2-3 weeks ago. Installation went perfectly. Pre-installation, I never had any issues from my nav system. Post-installation, I have now had 2 instances where this has happened. I've run the calibration utility twice now and it seems to stick for a little bit. Then, spontaneously, the nav system loses itself (as I like to say). I'm wondering if this isn't a loose connection (such as the antenna cable) on the back of the unit. I'm planning on pulling the dash appart again and double checking my connections this weekend. Hopefully that's all that's wrong. If not, I'll have to check with the dealership to see what's going on.

LSUMatt1514 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-2008, 10:09 PM

I just can't buy it being an antenna connection issue on two different vehicles...particularly my Tundra which has had the stock head unit removed only once.

Since her Sequoia repairs were begun under warranty and the problem not resolved (warranty now expired), will Toyota honor this and continue working it until the repairs are completed?

Crazy Ivan · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009, 09:51 AM

I don't know why you guys complaining so much about Satellite loss, if you want better reception, you can always do what aftermarked units have, install GPS antena on a roof, and signal will get much better.
Aftermaket antena cost around $25-$40 - easy fix.

I have very little issues with my unit, and I have GEN5 Nav unit, just like most of you guys here.

LSUMatt1514 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinik

I don't know why you guys complaining so much about Satellite loss, if you want better reception, you can always do what aftermarked units have, install GPS antena on a roof, and signal will get much better.
Aftermaket antena cost around $25-$40 - easy fix.

I have very little issues with my unit, and I have GEN5 Nav unit, just like most of you guys here.

Do you have an aftermarket antenna? What kind did you use and where did you pick it up? How does it connect to the factory head unit?

Matt

Crazy Ivan · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009, 02:51 PM

You can buy pretty much any aftermarket GPS antena
I've helped my friend out, and its easy.

here is an example Car GPS Navigation Antenna-CLARION toyota tns300/tns310 - eBay (item 370134798069 end time Jan-22-09 02:24:12 PST)

All I can say, it is very easy mod. Hardest part: You have take your Nav Unit out, plug different antena in, and route antena to the roof.