Need some advice for factory navigation. Now first, I dont use it but at least a map is better than nothing. I have 2 nav DVD's - one 2004 and one 2007 (I think) been using the 2007 version.

First noticed "Reading DVD" message was longer than usual but map eventually came up.

Then one day.. "The DVD inserted is not a Map DVD" message. Ejected and reinserted- all was good.

Eventually, I was getting the "not Map DVD" message constantly. Purchased a DVD lens cleaner. Seemed to work for a bit.

Today, map came up but the map was "stuck" in a position shortly after leaving my house. Shut car off and restarted and of course "DVD inserted is not a DVD Map" message.

Now, both nav DVD's have scratches on them and my son (just disclosed to me today) when I asked him to "clean" both DVD's he cleaned them with brake cleaner, which I think is the root of the problem.

Now, IMO the reader seems to work.

Powers on, asks for Map DVD to be loaded, gives messages. Sometimes, it will read the DVD and all will work nominally, but that is now rare.

So, is it a DVD issue or the nav unit itself?

Opinions are appreciated, thanks!

 

I don't have the same problems as you do but sometimes the sat nav will sometimes run very slowly

when I use it, which is not very often.

If you think about it the DVD player and CD player are in a sealed 'box'

one side of which is very thin aluminium and the other is insulated which will prevent heat getting out!

With sun shining on the metal the temperature in there could get very high.

It really needs some foam insulation stuck on the inside.

 

I also encounter similar issues.
Have had a new Denso DVD inserted in 2013 by the PO (maybe the 2007 update).
Since a couple of years there is instability of the maps reading and more often of the tracking that becomes frozen during long drives (maybe heating inside the DVD player?).
Did not yet clean the disc, hesitating between the "hard" approach with a brush and the "soft" one with a solvent.
Good to know that some solvents may be detrimental...

 

Also worth using a 'Cleaning Disc' to clean the reader.

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Hi paydase

Your symptoms sound very much like mine and it could well be due to heat.
I tried brake cleaner on a new CD (scrap) and it did not appear to affect it in any way.

There is a U tube video on how to make a CD cleaner to clean the internal laser lens.

 

Did that and it worked nominally for a few days. I think the brake cleaner ruined both nav DVD's.

 

Advice on cleaning DVDs (and CDs and BluRays) is to avoid anything that contains acetone or benzene as polycarbonate (the plastic of DVDs) is soluable in these. (And looking up 'Brake Cleaner' I've certainly found one that contains acetone).

Safe solvents seem to be isopropyl alcohol, or denatured alcohol (UK: Meths).

 

Thanks. The direction was to use isopropyl alcohol... I had a strong feeling the brake cleaner crapped out both DVD's...

Lesson learned.

If you want something done right, do it yourself!

Cheers!

 

Thinking about it, as most glasses lenses these days are plastic those little individual glasses wipes that come in sachets should be good/safe for cleaning CDs, DVDs etc.

 

Update. I found a new nav DVD online. It worked when I placed it into the reader and I thought "done".

When I restarted the car - same issue.

I will be replacing the DVD ROM unit.

 

You have spurred me to buy another NAV DVD player abonano!

As you know I have treid copying my 2012 NAV disk with no luck. Others have ponted out that my existing DVD reader might be
weak as it does have issues occasionally reading my genuine disk.

So will experiment with the one I have ordered.

I do not know yet whether I can "tune" the laser in it but thats what I am going to look at.

 

Once I get the replacement installed I'm going to take the original apart to see where the failure is, if any.

It could just be age, or heat fatigue...

 

Will be interested in what you find abonano.

 

Reader is due in Saturday. I will update.

 

Replacement reader unit came in today - installed within 20 minutes and voila!

Working NAV.

Problem was the NAV reader must have some memory in the unit itself as it pulled recent location info on the live map. (Memphis TN)

Drove around for a bit and the DVD updated automatically to NJ. I performed a hard reset nonetheless...

Going to take the old reader apart to see if there is anything suspicious.

 

The unit I bought arrived today and on the exterior at least looks in better condition than I was expecting.

Will be interested in what you find on disassembly of your old unit.

Interesting on the "memory" aspect.

I have, unfortunately gotten behind on my "honey do list".

 

Condition of the replacement unit was a bit dingy, my old unit was cleaner - it was probably sitting on a shelf. Nonetheless, who cares - it works

I opened the old reader unit.

It's basically 4 Phillip's screws (3 in back and 1 behind the front cover) pop the front cover off and remove screws.

Upon opening there was a distinct burnt electrical smell to it.

These units run hot in the stack in the boot.

Not much air flow. Nothing didn't really stuck out upon inspection but the motor that spins the DVD ROM looks spent, if that makes sense. Also, the small ribbon in the second pic looks like it has a burnt spot as well.

Attached are few pics.

The actual DVD driver is held to the circuit board with again - 4 Phillip's screws...

Also, there is a battery soldered to the board and what looks like a memory chip, hence the previous saved locations, etc. despite being disconnected for a while before I installed.

In nav options you can simply delete all previously stored locations and start fresh.

2003 technology at its finest.

A simple drive around should get the nav in the right spot w/ the GPS antenna. I went the extra step and did a hard reset as I started putzing with calibrations.

No lag time while driving like before.

Again, its antiquated technology and not that I use it but if it's in my car it has to work.

 

Is there any means of adjusting the laser that you see abonano?

 

No... unfortunately...

 

So, from what I understand now, it's normal wear and tear, normal end of life with no possible repair/restoration of a unit that has served for 15 years or alike?