Navigation system malfunction?

[riff]

Agreed. It all comes down to the driver and his/her own responsibility. Locking out menu options will not ensure safe driving. In fact, I'm much more likely to get distracted searching through radio stations than I am doing a quick view switch from 2d to 3d for instance.

I really hope there is a way to bypass this "security" feature. Someone out there knows something - they're just not sharing, yet.

[doncapecod]

I haven't checked because my SRX is not available, but is the ability to change the Nav system stop when the shifter is put into D, or does it lock out when the car actually starts to move??? Someone?? Does it just work in P, or will it work in N? Could the car be rolling in N and have the change functions work?

[riff]

When you come to a stop at a red light the menu becomes available. So it actually has to do with motion and not the position of the shifter.

Originally Posted by doncapecod

I haven't checked because my SRX is not available, but is the ability to change the Nav system stop when the shifter is put into D, or does it lock out when the car actually starts to move??? Someone?? Does it just work in P, or will it work in N? Could the car be rolling in N and have the change functions work?

[Terpnut]

That's right. The "safety" feature engages when there is any vehicle motion. My guess is it disengages the safety on when the GPS-based vehicle position has not changed for 3-4 seconds. If I'm right, the "safety" engages even when the vehicle is being towed, in Neutral gear, etc.

[beers]

Just tried the '1791' code to see how DVD's would play while driving - works great! Its just a matter of time before we have all the secrets cracked...

[MattO]

Well, having been the one to start this thread, I thought I would give an update. I took my SRX to the dealer, who verified my assertion that the Nav system was frequently not seeing the satellites. It turns out that the antenna is integrated into the unit and therefore is just below the dashboard, so there's no separate antenna to check. They took the unit out and replaced it, and the error was still there. They then took a new SRX off the lot with a Nav system and drove it around, and that one had the malfunction too!


They called Cadillac tech support, and got the response that Cadillac hadn't heard of any systematic malfunction in the SRX Nav system. They then arranged for a rep to come in on Monday to discuss it. They have fully acknowledged the problem at the dealer level, and share my frustration with not being able to fix it. They promise that it will get fixed.

I asked the technician if there were any hidden diagnostics or tweaks available in the system a la the DVD one we've seen. He said there were none, that Caddy had taken a decision to reduce the costs of the units by eliminating this sort of function, and that it would have made his job a lot easier if there were, since about the only thing he can do to troubleshoot the Nav unit is to replace it entirely. He said it would be nice to see what the unit is actually thinking, but there's no way to do it. I asked him to quiz the rep for more info.

If anyone else out there is having a problem where the Nav system doesn't know where it is, then this may be part of a design flaw, or a bad lot of electronics. You may want to let your dealer know that you're not alone. I'll keep everyone posted.

P.S.: I don't really want to watch a DVD while I'm driving, I'm too busy eating a big mac, taking phone calls, and playing with XM satellite radio. However, I would like to play music off a DVD, since such a disc would hold a hell of a lot more tunes than a CD. Anyone tried this?

[MattO]

Two more things I forgot to mention:
1) The separate Onstar GPS system had the SRX's location exactly right all the time.
2) I had tested the nav system versus a portable Garmin Streetpilot, and the Nav system could not see the requisite three satellites even when the Garmin saw as many as seven.

[riff]

My travels from Chicago to Florida and back toom me through some areas where one would suspect bad coverage and yet the system never lost its location. I agree that not having an external antenna might be a bit of an oversight. I wonder if there is a way of utilizing the OnStar antenna to guide the NAV system.

I know there are quite a few websites out there that provide information on hacking your OnStar and utilizing its GPS capabalities with the use of a laptop. If that can be done maybe you could also hook it up to the NAV system.

I'm glad to hear that the dealership is in your corner. Classy.

[Terpnut]

1. Matt-I have not had any noticeable problems with the Nav System's GPS positioning--good weather and bad, DC urban and MD suburb driving. Of course, without a GPS or system diagnostics screen, who can tell exactly how well the Nav System's GPS is actually performing!?

2. As for playing music from the DVD, do you want to play digital music, e.g. MP3 or WMA files, from the front DVD? I think this would require the correct decoder/codec from the DVD drive firmware which I would assume is not supported. Again, if the Nav System OEM provided a firmware upgrade capability, this would be possible. These firmware upgrades could also fix or add other features such as disabling that dreaded safety and adding other functions. I can't believe the Nav System OEM did not build in some firmware fix/upgrade method (via the dealer or not).

3. Riff-As the Nav System and OnStar are separate GPS units, I would think it is not feasible to "share" an antenna. Anyhow, if the OEM Nav System has an input for an external antenna, wouldn't GM have hooked up something in the first place?

[doncapecod]

Purely on a lark I emailed the Director of Communications of GM regarding using the NAV system when the car is moving. I knew nothing would come of it, but at least he answered me promptly...on a Sunday, no less. He didn't say it couldn't be done...just to be careful. Maybe there is a way!
______________________________________
Mr. Watson:

I agree completely, "great car!". I hope that it continues to provide the
best on-road experience that you've ever experienced.

Regarding your question, our driving policy at GM is "eyes on the road,
hands on the wheel". I can understand that it would be helpful to provide
this system capability for the passenger, unfortunately the consequence is
that drivers without passengers would be enticed to interact with the
system. I do not have a lead qualified to alter the system, but before you
do, please consider the consequences.

Enjoy the drive.

Jeff Kuhlman
Director, Communications
Cadillac




doncapecod@comcas
t.net To: jeffrey.kuhlman@gm.com

cc:
03/27/2004 03:46 Subject: SRX Nav system
PM






Hi: I'm an 04 SRX owner and on the wild chance you can help me (or at
least give me a lead), I'm looking for a way for a passenger to use the Nav
system while moving.

Can you help at least give me a lead???

Great car!
Don Watson
doncapecod@comcast.net

[riff]

Terpnut: You're probably right. I was thinking out loud - never a good idea.

Don: that does leave the door open for a possible workaround. I wonder if there is possibly another PIN # that disables the NAV protection instead of the DVD protection?

[Terpnut]

I believe there is a better than even chance that there is a way to bypass some existing or even enable other, hidden features. The reason is that the OEM Nav System manufacturer probably does not sell their Nav Systems solely to Cadillac--they have other customers! Thus if their software developers are competent (BTW, this is MY field of expertise ), they would write their software/firmware (the guts behind the Nav System) to be modular and customizable. That way, each vehicle manufacturer can deploy the same essential OEM Nav System & software with whatever features they want turn on or off (e.g. Cadillac logo on startup, turn-on safety, integrate display with radio functions, etc.).

[riff]

Denso also makes the system in the Toyota minivan. It has this cool option where if you flash your parking lights while holding down an info button (that the SRX doesn't seem to have) you get into the vehicle diagnostics mode, and it gives you a lot of info on the car and performance. I tried to do it in the SRX but it didn't work. I guess Denso has a few systems that they offer to the prospective buyers. I wonder if there are any such backdoors for the system in the SRX and who will be the first to get their dealer to talk.

[Terpnut]

Originally Posted by riff

...who will be the first to get their dealer to talk.

[sgilbert]

I can envision it now: All Caddy NAV owners clicking/flicking/picking/poking everything in sight! Maybe has something to do with seat position or perhaps glove box open---Hummm---must be 50,000 combinations or more possibilities!

Right now, my only concern is getting my hands on my ordered SRX, but I'll be joining in on the search for the mysterious combination as soon as I do!! :drinker