Excellent tutorial :bouncy:
Even though I already have factory nav, your description for removing panels & the head unit will come in handy if I decide to go for a GMX-550.

Now - after all that work, I'll be interested to see what you think of the performance of the factory nav. Mine, as well as others on the forum, tends to lead us around in circles occasionally - to the point that I routinely use my iPhone with the TomTom software running just to be sure good ol' GM doesn't take me into a part of town I don't belong in. :hmm:

 

The thing attached to the defroster trim panel is the light sensor for the automatic headlights, not the compass. The compass is fully self contained within the mirror. The defroster panel removal really is the most difficult part of the whole thing because it is held in very securely. You might be able to get away with just removing the driver side assist handle and A pillar trim as it's enough to get the pulling process started. That spatula thing was the only tool I didn't have, and a as a result I ended up with a cracked defroster panel and 160.00 lighter in the wallet.

 

Also, be aware that if you get one of the aftermarket antennas like I did, that doesn't have the metal base, There are many places you can hide it or place that do necessitate removing that defroster panel. Youll just have to get it up as close to the top of the dash as possible and experiment with what works.

 

This is a wonderful write up. I am thinking about pulling up my dash to move my antenna now...

 

One more tip... If you do a lot of city driving like I do, and live somewhere where you know how to get around easily, take the Navigation DVD out of the DVD drive. I noticed that it tries to read that disc over and over and over and every single time you start the vehicle. On the old Escalade nav units, the DVD mechanisms would eventually wear out from all of this constant reading, even when you aren't in navigation mode. So I just take mine out and leave it in a CD case in the center console, until I actually need to use the navigation functions.

 

good tip for any navigation system owner - and GM's move to hard drive based nav over the next few years should make this behavior a thing of the past but for now it's a good idea for the cautious

 

excellent write up...this is gonna help with my lockpick and amp install this week! thanks for taking the time..

 

Excellent posting. Thanks

 

Looks cool, thanks man.

The nav system btw drives me crazy(sometimes going in circles)though and if anyone has a tip on resolving it please let us know.

 

make sure it's 'up to date' with the latest firmware (flashed by dealer only)

also make sure you totally understand the settings/options that you have set - i've heard instances where people have really made life hard on themselves by having weird combinations of settings set that made the nav act poorly (for instance having the nav set to route by shortest distance instead of fastest time)

coming here for help is a good idea, but you do have other options for help with these nav units, so FYI here's a bit more info:

the nav disc center (where you can buy new map dvd discs) is also a navigation 'help line' fo any and all questions regarding your navigation unit (and its operation)

so if you don't understand what the nav manual is saying, or wonder about something that may not be in the manual - or if you don't even have a nav manual they can help you out

or take it to your favorite dealership and ask them for assistance​

 

Great pictures. I installed a Barracuda to allow me to change the Nav destination while driving as well as watch DVD while driving. I don't really use the DVD while driving but it comes with the package and sometime my wife likes to watch while the kids are watching a movie. I have a number of tips including how to attach the rear backup camera from black RCA to black RCA. Otherwise, the pictures posted above were great for getting the trim off of the dash, not necessary to remove the assist handle or anything else over there for the Barracuda. Let me know if you have any questions, otherwise it was a breeze.

 

Is installing this Barracuda device requires total removal of the Nav unit?

 

Yes. As with the Lockpick, you must plug it into the head unit and then the factory wiring plugs into the "device" harness.

 

Just installed the Nav radio and added a back up camera. Can't get them to talk to each other. Radio seems to be responding to programing per the instructions and the camera is a brand new GM part out of the box. (radio was purchased off of E-Bay as reconditioned. 2008 Escal. Any ideas?

 

Hello everyone. I need some help ASAP.

It appears that my dealership doesn’t how to program a 2011 Nav Unit in my 2008 Escalade. The nav unit is GM part 20955278. I have heard and seen this done to others on the internet. There is an ebay seller that advertises them and clears the VIN out to work in 2007 and 2008. They say they no longer use the Tech 2 and now the PC or something. They said if it were done by tech 2 they would be able to do it or trick it with a VIN. They said that when they start to program it they have to choose the year vehicle, etc, etc. They said they called GM and GM told them they can’t help them out and it won’t work in my 2008 Escalade. They wouldn’t give them the VCI or whatever was needed. Can someone tell me what and how to tell me how to get my dealer to be able to program the 2011 Map Drive Navigation Unit to my neighbors 2008 Escalade. My vehicle is there now and i would like to try and get them some information so they can complete it today

Thanks in advance.

 

Is the vehicle still at the dealership? Has the dealer found out any new information? If you want to send me your Vin number I can see if I can find out any more information for you.
Breanne
Cadillac Customer Service

 

Thanks for the response. It isnt at the dealer any longer however they never were able to get it programmed. They told me that they were going to look into it and see if they could find out what they needed to do. I have PM'd you my VIN. Thanks again and any help would be great.

 

I googled one of the sellers on Ebay and called them. I think the guy I talked to was Tom. He said he can program the unit for $100. You would have to ship it to the company.

 

Can you send me this company info?

 

I know it is possible because I have a 2011 Supernav and AMP from an ESV in my 2007 EXT. It uses the solid state memory card for Nav which is much quicker, sucks less power and produces less heat...it doesn't even have a cooling fan. It took two trips to the dealer to get it programmed but they were finally successful. I had a VIN for a 2011 EXT model for them to use and it was done on a computer....they had to try several profiles and overrides before it was fully functional. The amp required programming as well because of the differences between ESV/EXT speakers/wiring/rear entertainment. Happy with mine....an after effect was the ONSTAR red light I had after changing to the newer bluetooth VCIM changed to green. I checked the emergency Onstar and it works but am reluctant to mess with the regular Onstar and get that red light back. I am using a 2009 CTS VCIM.

 

This is probably not going to help those who are trying to do a nav swap. Hopefully we can find helpful dealerships. http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2011/11/navigation-radio-service-programming-restriction.html

 

I started a similiar thread, what needs to be done to get the 2011 system in? Sounds like it all plugs up, but there may be difficulties programming it? Do I need to bring it to the dealer out of the car or installed? Am I less prone to a problem if I get a supernav out an ESV to go into an ESV? Whatever issues may be, I'd like to know before I start ripping things out. If it's too much of a pain, I'll have specmo fix my radio.

-Dave

 

Gm has a bulletin out similar to the bluetooth one. They dont want the new Nav installed in older models. Why cockblock a simple mod.The radios are GM so it doesn't cut into their bottom line and the dealer makes a buck programming. I am not trading my truck for a new vcim or Nav system,maybe if they bucked up and refreshed the truck every couple years they might get better sales. You cant really tell an 07 from an11 maybe the dual exhaust on an 12 will help but not a Nav system.

 

What makes you think they want to sell more units??? :tisk:

If they sold a VCIM with Bluetooth that could go in older units that didn't have them they could a lot of money selling them and installing them.

But why would they want to to make money?:stirpot:

 

IMHO, Potential profit does not overcome potential liability from "Onstar Accident/vehicle status Reporting" feature not operating as designed because of mismatched software/hardware.....Some one would probably sue them if the mismatched equipment/software did not report an accident or a vehicle condition that resulted in serious injury or damage to the vehicle. I personally would be glad to sign a waiver acknowledging that those conditions could happen and I would find GM not responsible, but the problem resurfaces when (if) I sell the vehicle and the new owner or several down the line is unaware of the modifications. Just look at the final "FIX" for the heated windshield fluid which is a much less complex technical issue.

 

PLEASE HELP :suspense)
Hi I have a 2007 escalade and i have the non-nav radio. I purchase a navigation radio off eBay I had it
install and it said theftlock activation. I took it to the dealer and they are trying to charge me 3000 to
change out my harness.... They told me thats the only way it will work is to have a GMC navigation
harness..will this work for me also if I purchase a gps/nav antenna?