Navigation System Intermittent Operation

[Kirtap]

I have a 2004 Highlander Limited with Navigation System, which has worked great until the last week. Vehicle was purchased in April 2004, and I did not receive a letter about an upgrade, as mentioned in another thread in this forum dated in June 2004. I work in Tualatin, OR (a town just south of Portland) and live in NW Portland, OR. Everyday when I comute, the Nav system starts out working fine, then cuts out during about half of the drive, then starts up again.

Error message on the screen is something like "Check the System"; if I push the map button, I get a message something like "External system is disconnected". The radio cuts out when the Nav system dies, but I can get it back by pushing the power knob. Then when the Nav comes back up, the radio dies again, until I push the radio power knob.

There is no troubleshooting information in the owners manual.

Has anyone had similar problems? I was wondering if it could be some sort of satellite or groundstation problem, before I go into the dealer (which is a major inconvenience).

[Kirtap]

I took it to the dealer, they said the problem was a loose connection at terminal M4, which they fixed. Also indicated that I should have received an recall/upgrade notice for the Navigation system, because the VIN number was in the range that get the free upgrade.

However, no change in the problem after the "fix".

Nav upgrade and another attempt at fix scheduled for next week.

[TerrierMom]

I'd keep on pestering the dealer service group until the problem goes away.

I have a 2004 Highlander (purchased in late August) and have had no issues with the Nav system as far as operational concerns go. The DVD update/fix did clear up issues I was having with inaccurate information.

Also, do you have another dealership that isn't too far away you could visit if the 2nd visit doesn't fix things?

[Kirtap]

The dealer ordered a new NAV system, which was installed on Februray 21. The mechanic indicated that my old system had a short in the display. Everything has worked fine in the 5 days since the replacement.