Gyro_Bot

Gentlemen,

I recently purchased a used 2005, which originally was brought in from the US (previous owner).

The navigation software has been frozen over the ocean since the day I got it. I figured I could just ask the dealership to reload the software / flash it. After asking them about this, they responded:



----------------- Dealership -------

Hi;

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, but I consulted two different people regarding the Nav in your vehicle just to make sure.
As it turns out, given that it is a 2005, the Nav system most assuredly did not come with the vehicle which leads us to believe that it is likely aftermarket. That being the case, it was suggested that you take it to Ralph’s Radio where they may be able to assist you with it.
I hope this helps out! See you on the 5th!

Regards,
Barb

----------------- Gyro Bot --------

Woah! no kidding? my Nav unit is not authentic?
If that's the case, they did a fabulous install job. (Did the Nav unit not come on 2005 models?)

----------------- Dealership -------


Word on the street says…no!
Glad it looks so real!! Good luck with it!


===============================


What's the story behind this? did the 2005 not have a NavUnit? I am sure I saw 2005's with the NavUnit installed. If it is an 2006 NavUnit installed in the car... why the heck can't they service it? By all respects it looks authentic. It is thoroughly convincing... well, to me it is.

It sure would be nice to use the NavUnit, since you know.... "It's there" . Otherwise, it's kind of a waste of space, don't you think?


Any advise would be most appreciated!
Thanks!

Gyro Bot


PS: Did the rx8 NavUnits have a dvd player in the back middle console? (That's what I have got).

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I don't have Nav but I think the "player" is in the dash on the Mazda unit.
If it is a aftermarket unit, you could end up being lucky. I don't think you can get updated maps from Mazda anymore.

Gyro_Bot

Thanks for mentioning that!

No kidding.... I never thought that it could end up being good news!

I've just contacted the original owner, to see if she knew what brand the aftermarket NavUnit is. Mazda-RX-8-UK-Sat-Nav-Conversion is my best guess so far.

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Um, no.

The OEM nav dvd player sits between the two back seats underneath the center console. Your dealership is clueless.

Thief

My '04 has has the factory nav unit. I assume you have the joystick/zoom/enter controls in front of the *** warmer buttons, and there are "Open" and "Tilt" buttons beside the screen? If so, that dealership doesn't know what they're talking about. Maps are **** though. I've looked everywhere to get updated maps and can't find any.

cybrmage

You don't mention where you are located... The bad news is that the 2004/2005 navigation disc for Canada (made from 2003 data) is awful... I live in southern Alberta and the navigation works OK... However, if I head north... the map ends half way between Calgary and Red Deer... (just north of Carstairs). This may be what you are experiencing...

There are several "hidden" or "backdoor" Menus in the nav system...
RESET PROCEDURE
MENU CODES (Follow the reset procedure step 1 through 4, then enter the "backdoor" code

Backdoor 1 = NAv ECU Information Menu
Backdoor 2 = System Information (wiring check) Menu
Backdoor 3 = System Analysis Menu

First thing you should do is go into the NAV ECU Information menu. Select GPS information, and see if the unit has locked onto a satellite and if the data matches your location. If there is no lock, the GPS antenna may be blocked, disconnected or defective. (The GPS antenna in under the parcel shelf towards the drivers side of thr car... easy to see from the trunk... hard to remove)

If there is a GPS lock, you should do a navigation system reset. The procedure is outlined in the link above. If the reset doesn't work, you are probably in an area for which there is no map data...

If your Nav system is not operating properly, your best bet is to get a good quality GPS unit or in-dash GPS receiver... I recently got quotes from Mazda for nav system pieces for my second rx8... They want $4400 for the DVD unit, $3600 for the Nav screen and $650 for the GPS antenna... I decided to go with an in-dash GPS receiver...

Good luck.

BTW, ANY Mzda dealer in North America is able to access the vehicle build/service history for any North American Mazda vehicle. This information includes Factory installed options, factory installed trim packages, port installed options, dealer installed options, build date, first service date, original selling dealer, performed recalls, performed TSBs, mazda performed service visits, new/replacement parts purchased using the vehicles VIN, etc. If the dealer you are visiting will not give you a printout, go to a different dealer.

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Canadian dealers may not have access to the MNAO network... if that's the case a call to a US dealer armed with your VIN should work.

Gyro_Bot

Woah. Thanks for this response guys! That's pretty solid advise!

Cheers!

Misjiff

I have a 2004 RX8 (bought brand new) and the player is in the back console. It still works great and I wanted to update the map as the most recent I had was 2006.

After my own numerous failed attempts to get one, the dealer worked on it and they finally managed to get a copy of the newest 2010 (I think). They gave her a very rough time but finally sent her one.

It won't work in my car. We tried it and the message on the GPS was "cannot read disk". The dealer found a vehicle with GPS & tried the new disk in it and it worked fine so we tried my disk in that vehicle and it would not read my original disk.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas for me to try so I could get the new disk to work?

Misjiff

Thank you Originally Posted by cybrmage View Post
You don't mention where you are located... The bad news is that the 2004/2005 navigation disc for Canada (made from 2003 data) is awful... I live in southern Alberta and the navigation works OK... However, if I head north... the map ends half way between Calgary and Red Deer... (just north of Carstairs). This may be what you are experiencing...

There are several "hidden" or "backdoor" Menus in the nav system...
RESET PROCEDURE
MENU CODES (Follow the reset procedure step 1 through 4, then enter the "backdoor" code

Backdoor 1 = NAv ECU Information Menu
Backdoor 2 = System Information (wiring check) Menu
Backdoor 3 = System Analysis Menu

First thing you should do is go into the NAV ECU Information menu. Select GPS information, and see if the unit has locked onto a satellite and if the data matches your location. If there is no lock, the GPS antenna may be blocked, disconnected or defective. (The GPS antenna in under the parcel shelf towards the drivers side of thr car... easy to see from the trunk... hard to remove)

If there is a GPS lock, you should do a navigation system reset. The procedure is outlined in the link above. If the reset doesn't work, you are probably in an area for which there is no map data...

If your Nav system is not operating properly, your best bet is to get a good quality GPS unit or in-dash GPS receiver... I recently got quotes from Mazda for nav system pieces for my second rx8... They want $4400 for the DVD unit, $3600 for the Nav screen and $650 for the GPS antenna... I decided to go with an in-dash GPS receiver...

Good luck.

BTW, ANY Mzda dealer in North America is able to access the vehicle build/service history for any North American Mazda vehicle. This information includes Factory installed options, factory installed trim packages, port installed options, dealer installed options, build date, first service date, original selling dealer, performed recalls, performed TSBs, mazda performed service visits, new/replacement parts purchased using the vehicles VIN, etc. If the dealer you are visiting will not give you a printout, go to a different dealer.

Thank you Cybrmage. I also live in Southern Alberta and yes the map ends 1/2 way between Calgary & Red Deer. I will try your suggestions. I understand I can probably get a new GPS system separate from my existing one for less money than the map update is but I'd rather not.

Thief

04 and 05 models have a different player than the 06 and on models. I think the most updated maps for our cars are 06 maps. So... useless.

cybrmage

The 2004 and 2005 model year navigation was a Panasonic unit that uses SDAL format map disks.

The latest navigation disk for these models is the "Mazda - North America Map DVD Version 2008" (using 2007 map data), which is still available from NavTech at Mazda - RX-8 - 2004 - Mazda - North America Map DVD Version 2008 - for $199USD plus $30USD shipping to Canada. They claim full coverage for Canada...

The 2006 model year saw a change in the Navigation unit to a Denso unit for 2006 MY through the 2008 MY. The latest map for these models is "Mazda - North America Map DVD Version 2011" (using 2010 map data), available from MNAO (through a Mazda dealer - Part # GP9A 66 DZ0 H) for $199USD.

From MY 2009 onwards, Mazda removed the "pop-up" navigation system and went with an in-dash touchscreen navigation system. The lastest map for these models is "Mazda - North America Map DVD Version 2012" (using 2011 map data) available from MNAO as part # TG18 66 DZ0 B for $199USD.

You could upgrade the Navigation unit in a 2004 or 2005 vehicle to the denso unit, as they are the same size and use the same connectors, if you can want to shell out $4400 to Mazda or can find a used one on eBay or at a scrap yard (i've seen them on ebay for abround $450 shipped without the DVD)... but that will only get you maps up to 2010... not really worth it when you can get the metra kit and a good navigation unit with up to date maps (and ongoing support) for just a few hundred more...

Gyro_Bot

what the? Where did you find?... Oh snap! I'm so impressed with rx8club right now.

I am at a Canadian dealership now, and I just happen to bring my iPad. Well, the parts guy and I went looking up this number " TG18 66 DZ0 B" and it confirms in the system. The price was $270 (with dealership discount). The parts gentlemen and I are hella impressed with you cybrmage.

I guess the next question would be... Is it possible to purchase it "after" confirming it is 1.readable and 2.compatible with the NavSystem in the car. I'm still on the fence as whether my Nav is manufacturer or OEM. Safe to say, when it comes to any software, it safest to test before purchase. Otherwise you are left with a useless DVD that just cost you $270. So... Like any other piece of software, test before you purchase.

I'll try and talk them into getting a copy of the disk ahead of purchase, and test it on my NavUnit also ahead of purchase. I mean.... Its not a part.... After all. It's just software. In fact... If I get it, I'll let you guys know what happens, and I can offer "assistance" to others with the same..... Issue.

cybrmage

It's all information available in the forums... I just condensed it for you... and did a quick search on google...


Unfortunately, this will *NOT* work for a stock navigation unit in a 2005MY car. That part number is for a 2009MY and up in-dash (in the center riser, above the ashtray) touchscrren factory navigation unit.


Ok. Let us determine definitively if you have a factory navigation system...

1) Does your car have a Bose sound system (The word "Bose" is embossed on the front door tweeter cover at the front of the driver/passenger window)?


2) Do you have a pop-up monitor in the center top of your dash?



3) Do you have a navigation control panel (with a small joystick) in the front center console (positioned behind the gearshift and in front of the heated seat switches)?


4) Is there a DVD unit in the rear center console? (open the rear console lid... if the cavity under the lid does not run the full length of the lid, there is a DVD navigation unit there)


5) When you take the DVD out of the navigation unit, does the label specifically state "SDAL format" on it somewhere?

(This picture shows the last available GPS DVD for the 2004/2005 system)


If you answer "YES" to all these questions... You have an OEM factory navigation system.

Gyro_Bot

Yes as it turns out I have factory OEM. The dealership did not take into account my car originally hailed from Mississauga USA.
Edit: Mississippi .... not "Mississauga". My memory must be fading...

I should then have the right for them to fix the NavSoftware?.... I hope

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Fix or upgrade? those are two very different paths.

Thief

It doesn't really matter where your car is from. Both the US and Canadian models had OEM Nav.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

And Mississauga is in Ontario

HQuin

Hey,
Everyone here has excellent info for you!! you are in good hands lol.,.
However many of us call the 'dealership" the stealership for a reason, looks like so far they have stolen your time because that is nothing but B.S.!!! Fight for whats right. they know and can check thats it is OEM, and they can reset it, don't take no for an answer. even if its US the nav unit has US and Canada maps, i have a 2004 GT with every mazda oem option.

you should not spend a penny! (unless you decide to put in an aftermarket)

follow the reset instruction above - if that doesn't work and you really want to do it yourself unscrew and pull out the stereo and dvd player and unplug it and replug it in. PM me if you want help doing.

Gyro_Bot

Hi HQuin, that is sound advice. Yes I reset the NAV unit with the instructions above. Pretty impressed with the quality of information and members on RX8Club.

As a result of reseting the NAV - I am no longer being placed in the middle of the georgia straight. Now, it looks like I'm on dry land, next to one of the great lakes in Ontario. However, I live in British Columbia... so that's not too useful. lol Not sure why the GPS doesn't seem to track my position though... is there more I have to do to get that working?

Do you think disconnecting and reconnecting the SatNav would correct this issue? I've almost given up. If so, then yes, I'll PM you. Just a sec... I did pull out my stereo when I hooked up my bluetooth system with the X-Link adapter - which is now plugged into the radio unit. Maybe, I missed something? It sure is a pain getting that radio unit out of the dash.

The Stealership can reset it for free?? .. awe man... I was at the dealership today, I could have asked them to update the NavUnit software. I will phone ahead for my contact at the dealership, see if he can set things straight for the techs there. It's nice to have a mole... is all I got to say.

Gyro_Bot

Mississippi .... not "Mississauga". My memory must be fading...

cybrmage

YOU can reset it for free!!! see my previous post on backdoor/hidden menus.

The dealership probably WON'T be able to do a nav system update... and the procedure was never free (it counts as diagnostic time... covered by warranty if the GPS unit is malfunctioning... but your vehicle is out of warranty, so it's all billable time)... They need to have the firmware upgrade DVD, and unless they already have one (not likely) they will not be able to get it from MNAO as it is a discontinued part that is no longer available. There is a thread here somewhere with links to some of the firmware upgrades... do a search...

Did you use the hidden menu diagnostics for the GPS signal? what were the results?