[Keith Myers]

Searched the forum for anything having to do with navigation system problems and came up empty. I have a Gen. 1 2013 Volt that has developed a problem with the navigation system, specifically the map. First is that the system gets stuck in "Navigation initializing" for up to 1/2 hour after the car has been powered off for any length of time. Guaranteed to happen first thing in the morning after charging overnight. Then the direction arrow cursor simply spins in circles if not moving. Once you start moving, it can be several miles before the map updates and actual location is very far off. If traveling in a straight distance and direction for anything more than 5 minutes the location cursor while still spinning moves off the actual roadway on the map and make a counter clockwise loop before returning back to the roadway. Sometimes at the furthest excursion from the actual roadway, the location cursor "snaps" back to the roadway and continues its CCW dance on the map.

I took it into the dealer yesterday and they couldn't find anything wrong with the car. There are no fault codes set in any module. Of course the map behaved itself when I delivered the car to them because I had a 30 minute drive to get there. I told them how to get the system to flake out and after extensive road testing by the technician they observed a mild version of the problem. They still could not find any issue with car or software. They want me to leave it with them for a couple of days. I will do that once I have alternative transportation arranged.

I did discover something interesting in a 30 mile drive this afternoon while I played around with map parameters. It has been set on the simple 2D cursor orientation all this time. That means the cursor mostly spins CCW in a circle on the map. I switched it to 2D Heading Up and the problem changed where the cursor stayed in the same orientation but now the map itself rotated around snapping back and forth. This makes me believe the problem lies with whatever provides the compass direction to the mapping function.

I asked the dealer first off whether there was simply a faulty GPS connection to the mapping function and they said there was not. The DIC compass direction is always correct and does not deviate from actual true direction so believe the DIC compass indicator does not rely on the same compass input the map function does.

Has anybody had a similar issue or problem and can point me to where I should have the dealer do further investigation. The dealer said their search of the GM problem database yielded nothing similar to my problem. I am stumped so far and the same goes for the dealer.

 

[bentbiker]

Is anything else plugged in? I had the same thing when I tried to use something plugged into USB. Weent away immediately when I unplugged it. Also, power converters have been know to cause interference.

That is one heck of a telescope.

 

[Keith Myers]

Nothing plugged into any USB port or OBD port. No power converters installed.

Thank you, that is my pride and joy astrophotograph.

 

[edk-austin]

Did you use google to search? I remember, and find lots of posts. The Forum search is useless to me.

At the regular Google home screen, do:
site:gm-volt.com "Navigation initializing"

so that you search only gm-volt.com

might also try the same search for compass, I seem to remember seeing posts about spinning compasses.

 

[dannycamps]

It sounds like a possible issue with the GPS antenna or connection of said antenna to the head unit. Mind you that this is merely a guess based on the symptoms described.

 

[RePo]

It makes me think the media containing the map may be bad, cannot read data.

 

[Barry]

Something very similar happened twice to my 2013 Volt in the almost 2 years that I have owned it. I corrected it both times by "resetting" the infotainment system. Resetting is an option that is in the config menu. I don't remember the exact path to find it, but it is worth spending a few minutes looking. If that does not work, it may need the head unit replaced, or buy a Garmin.

 

[Keith Myers]

Thanks for the feedback. I couldn't find a reset specific to the infotainment system. Just the "return to factory settings" I did that. Still hasn't changed the problem. I still believe the GPS input to the map is flaky. Or the map data is corrupted. I got the notification about the map data update being available and asked the dealers whether a reload of that data might fix the problem and was told not likely. I could spend the $150 and try it if I wanted to.

I took the car into a dealership that I did not buy the car from simply because they were 50 miles closer. I might go back to my dealer I bought the car from. I feel a lot better about that dealerships Volt techs.

 

[colchiro]

I vote for the gps antenna or a wheel sensor being flaky.

 

[Jetdrive]

Thanks for the feedback. I couldn't find a reset specific to the infotainment system. Just the "return to factory settings" I did that. Still hasn't changed the problem. I still believe the GPS input to the map is flaky. Or the map data is corrupted. I got the notification about the map data update being available and asked the dealers whether a reload of that data might fix the problem and was told not likely. I could spend the $150 and try it if I wanted to.

I took the car into a dealership that I did not buy the car from simply because they were 50 miles closer. I might go back to my dealer I bought the car from. I feel a lot better about that dealerships Volt techs.

My navigation system was doing this earlier this week. I did the reset and it's fixed. It's not the "return to factory setting". It's under the radio menu and there you will find a setting to reset it. Even though it says radio, you lose a lot of your setting like door lock and charge interruputed alarm setttings.

 

[Jetdrive]

Just an update on my Nav problems:

The radio reset lasted about a week before it returned to the spinning display again. Doing another radio reset fixed it for only a day this time. I guess a trip to the dealer is my future.

 

[Keith Myers]

My navigation system was doing this earlier this week. I did the reset and it's fixed. It's not the "return to factory setting". It's under the radio menu and there you will find a setting to reset it. Even though it says radio, you lose a lot of your setting like door lock and charge interruputed alarm setttings.

Yes, bad description on my part. I did the reset under the radio menu. I was in the right place since I did lose all my vehicle settings like auto door lock and had to reset them to my preferences. Did nothing for the spinning map problem. I will have to to take it back into a dealer for the day to fix it likely. Or just not use the Nav and use a phone map.

 

[Jim I]

Did you try the navigation reset by pulling the F9 fuse?

I have had to do this twice on my 2012 Volt. It does reset the compass and nav system

Here is a post from DonC & WOT with instructions:

The pertinent part would be:

Here's how to reset it.

Pull fuse #9 from the drivers side instrument panel fuse block (behind the small plastic cover on the end of the dash assembly) for 1 hour. Then reinstall it and immediately drive the car for a minimum of 5 miles where you make AT LEAST FIVE ~90 degree left and right hand turns.Afterwards shut down the car completely (make sure drivers door was opened) for 5 minutes then power up and verify the compass heading is properly appearing in your display appears correct.

Then try a turn-by-turn navigation event by calling an Onstar advisor asking for directions.
If it STILL wont download your directions, see your dealer and ask them to follow preliminary bulletin #PIC4801D

This bulletin advises the dealer to use GDS2 to gather about 20 data parameter and configuration items from the car's various infotainment modules prior to calling technical assistance. It is designed to put a process in place to help identify a configuration conflict that might be inhibiting proper Onstar operation.

Hope this helps!

Jim - C-5277

 

[wBronze]

Did you try the navigation reset by pulling the F9 fuse?

I have had to do this twice on my 2012 Volt. It does reset the compass and nav system

Here is a post from DonC & WOT with instructions:

The pertinent part would be:

Here's how to reset it.

Pull fuse #9 from the drivers side instrument panel fuse block (behind the small plastic cover on the end of the dash assembly) for 1 hour. Then reinstall it and immediately drive the car for a minimum of 5 miles where you make AT LEAST FIVE ~90 degree left and right hand turns.Afterwards shut down the car completely (make sure drivers door was opened) for 5 minutes then power up and verify the compass heading is properly appearing in your display appears correct.

Then try a turn-by-turn navigation event by calling an Onstar advisor asking for directions.
If it STILL wont download your directions, see your dealer and ask them to follow preliminary bulletin #PIC4801D

This bulletin advises the dealer to use GDS2 to gather about 20 data parameter and configuration items from the car's various infotainment modules prior to calling technical assistance. It is designed to put a process in place to help identify a configuration conflict that might be inhibiting proper Onstar operation.

Hope this helps!

Jim - C-5277

This worked for me! Thank you for the instructions. I followed the instructions to the letter and the heading arrow in my 2013 Volt no longer spins counter clock wise in any map mode whatsoever.

I was about to pay a dealer to fix this, and odds are unless they know of this procedure it would have been an annoying goose chase.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wclark57]

The F9 fuse seems like a good first step at this time, if memory serves it is accessible by opening the driver door and looking for the removable panel in the end of the dash.

Beyond that it seems likely that a sensor or the GPS unit (or its connection) is faulty. It seems likely that the wheel sensor would gum up quickly so I'll put my karma coin there.

 

[wBronze]

Jim,

This worked for me. I followed your instructions to the letter and no more spinning compass at least. I did not have all the OP's symptoms but your suggestion solved my issues. Thank you very much!

 

[1Volt]

MY 2013 volt navigation began acting confused like Keith's a few months ago. Today, the dealer says it could be the antenna or the head/radio unit. Wants to take it out to check/test antenna.
Keith
Have you resolved your issue? What was it?
Ed

 

[brett_cgb]

My 2013 also has the dash compass - this is provided by a magnetometer (same as your smart phone) separate from GPS. GPS can provide a direction only if the receiver is moving. The magnetometer doesn't care about motion. (I don't have the navigation system - my smart phone works for that, and is always current.)

There may be a diagnostic page that shows the lat/lon being reported by the GPS receiver and the number of satellites in view. If lat/lon is wrong or unstable, or the number of satellites is much less than 12, the GPS receiver or it's antenna is having problems. (It's possible the receiver is in the antenna module.)

The technician should be able to determine if the GPS receiver is working independently of the maps. If they can't, look for another dealer.