Topic: Navigation System Failure (Read 5365 times)

Ultra Villa · « **on:** October 01, 2008, 12:24:28 PM »

Hello All

Has anyone else experienced any problems with the Harmon Kardon Navigation System? I have and '08 Ultra and it is not reading any satellites. The problem was steady during my trip to Milwaukee, but now is more intermittent. I suspect a loose antenna wire, my dealer is looking into it with the motor company, but in reading your post, it is obvious there is more information here than at the motor company.

Boatman · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2008, 12:30:49 PM »

Quote from: Ultra Villa on October 01, 2008, 12:24:28 PM

Hello All

but in reading your post, it is obvious there is more information here than at the motor company.

Sad but true. Sorry I can't help (old map reader) but sure someone will.

Hugh Janis · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2008, 12:45:53 PM »

Good news is, it's under warranty

Bad news is, I have no idea what's causing it. I've had intermittent outages on the XM when the southern horizon is obscured by trees, buildings, or hills but I haven't had that happen with the GPS. Does the display tell you it's unable to secure a satellite signal?

LRebel · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2008, 12:46:43 PM »

Didn't have any trouble with mine, but it is not working now...... I now use a Garmin Zumo. If you think you need a GPS, the $$$ spent on a Zumo is money well spent (+ you get a MP3 player... way cool!)

My guess is that you have a loose connection or short in a wire. It's pretty easy to take the outer fairing off to check the connections.

Ultra Villa · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2008, 01:05:10 PM »

Quote from: Jester Whisperer on October 01, 2008, 12:45:53 PM

Good news is, it's under warranty

Bad news is, I have no idea what's causing it. I've had intermittent outages on the XM when the southern horizon is obscured by trees, buildings, or hills but I haven't had that happen with the GPS. Does the display tell you it's unable to secure a satellite signal?

No indication on satelite signal, but keeps saying off road and when i access the GPS screen, it shows 0 satelites and lat and long are also 0.

Thank god for warranty's

sawyerghost · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2008, 01:29:37 PM »

I also agree with Rebel's comments,
I have same bike as you, It is no comparison what you can do with theZumo 550.

I was directed to P.C. Nation by our members, for best Price of the Zumo 550.

jgierlach · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2008, 04:41:00 PM »

Hello Ultra Villa, I ran into the same problems with mine in Milwaukee also and its not a loose wire, its with the unit it self, your GPS went bad, the dealer told me that they needed to order two new parts one is a new GPS unit and the other I wont know till its installed this week the parts just came in today. Ill let you know what they did.

one more thing when I told them the unit is bad they said to ride it but dont get lost.

Ultra Villa · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2008, 09:59:40 AM »

Quote from: jgierlach on October 01, 2008, 04:41:00 PM

Hello Ultra Villa, I ran into the same problems with mine in Milwaukee also and its not a loose wire, its with the unit it self, your GPS went bad, the dealer told me that they needed to order two new parts one is a new GPS unit and the other I wont know till its installed this week the parts just came in today. Ill let you know what they did. one more thing when I told them the unit is bad they said to ride it but dont get lost.

Thanks for the info, I will go to have it checked out soon. I just got the bike back, so I am reluctant to give it up for a while. I'll try to not get lost in the meantime. I'll look forward to getting the rest of the info so I may provide that to the shop, at least they will have something to go on.

fourstar · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2008, 07:24:21 PM »

The nav system in my 09 SEUC has not worked since I took delivery on 11/06. It will not acquire satellites. Dealer says it is a widespread problem, that they didn't know what it was, and that they are waiting for the MOCO to come up with a fix. So far, I have been checking weekly and getting nothing. Does anyone have any recent info on this problem?

LRebel · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2008, 10:23:17 PM »

Quote from: fourstar on December 06, 2008, 07:24:21 PM

The nav system in my 09 SEUC has not worked since I took delivery on 11/06. It will not acquire satellites. Dealer says it is a widespread problem, that they didn't know what it was, and that they are waiting for the MOCO to come up with a fix. So far, I have been checking weekly and getting nothing. Does anyone have any recent info on this problem?

Don't have any idea if mine works or not..... Got smart and bought a Zumo back in the spring

RedDevil · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2008, 10:47:48 PM »

Quote from: fourstar on December 06, 2008, 07:24:21 PM

The nav system in my 09 SEUC has not worked since I took delivery on 11/06. It will not acquire satellites. Dealer says it is a widespread problem, that they didn't know what it was, and that they are waiting for the MOCO to come up with a fix. So far, I have been checking weekly and getting nothing. Does anyone have any recent info on this problem?

I've never heard of the HK having problems aquiring satellites or there being a wide spread problem. Mine has worked fine since the day I bought it. It could be something as simple as the antenna not being connected (although, I don't know if that's a possiblity as I've never looked at the NAV module for the HK control head, so I don't know if it has a separate antenna, like the XM does.) I haven't seen or heard of any tech bulletins from the MoCo on this either. I believe you have the same unit that I do in my 07. Check with another dealer and see what they say.

ultrafxr · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:40:01 PM »

No idea if my HK units works or not. Had the bike over two years and never even tried the HK gps. My Garmin 2720 works just fine.

sadunbar · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:45:48 PM »

Quote from: ultrafxr on December 08, 2008, 07:40:01 PM

No idea if my HK units works or not. Had the bike over two years and never even tried the HK gps. My Garmin 2720 works just fine.

Me neither...never tried the nav unit or the XM...

My Zumo takes care of both....

MontyB · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:46:55 PM »

Sorry dude. The problem with the factory system is that it sucks. I gave up and use a Garmin. $:-\$

J-Carr · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2008, 11:56:27 AM »

The GPS unit is a module. It has a separate outboard antenna located right below the windshield inside the fairing (right side when looking from the front as I recall, but I could be wrong). Two possibilities:

One of them is not working. It's under warrenty. They will replace them. If your dealer can't figure that out, find another dealer.

One of them is not connected properly. It's under warrenty. Thay will connect them. If your dealer can't figure that out, find another dealer.

And I agree that the Zumo 550 is tons better (I'm getting one for my wife's bike for Christmas...) but I love not having the bulky unit hanging on my bars and the fact the the factory unit allows me to play my XM (Without spending 300 for the XM antenna for the 550) or the regular radio and still get directions.

Ride Safe,
J-Carr

ultrafxr · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2008, 03:51:03 PM »

If all you want/need the gps for is to get from point A to point B then the factory unit is probably as good as any. But I use my gps to plot my road trips in advance. I spend a lot of time pre-planning, deciding where I want to go and what roads I want to ride. Then when I download all this data into my Garmin unit I don't have to constantly refer to maps or lists. With the factory unit in the HK there is no viable way to do this and that to me is its terrible shortcoming. If I could get data to it like I want I'd certainly be inclinded to use it.

Lzyboy · « **Reply #16 on:** December 11, 2008, 11:25:07 PM »

I hope you get the issue resolved. I have a Megallan Crossover. It plays music, displays pictures, and take it off the trail when the family wants to take a walk. Any whooo! hope you find out what is wrong with it.

WildClyde · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2008, 07:29:55 PM »

I have replaced my 2007 FLHTCUSE2 HD GPS antenna twice due to the sudden inability to acquire satellites - usually when I needed it most.

Each replacement antenna worked for a while and then the navigation system would stop acquiring satellites again. I have a replacement Navigation System module on order. My guess is that there is something wrong internally with the lead that connects to the external antenna connector.

Note: HD Navigation Systems only do two things well: find me the closest Harley Dealer, find me the closest gas station. Otherwise it is a brain dead device.

J-Carr · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2008, 10:31:09 AM »

Quote from: WildClyde on December 12, 2008, 07:29:55 PM

I have replaced my 2007 FLHTCUSE2 HD GPS antenna twice due to the sudden inability to acquire satellites - usually when I needed it most.

Each replacement antenna worked for a while and then the navigation system would stop acquiring satellites again. I have a replacement Navigation System module on order. My guess is that there is something wrong internally with the lead that connects to the external antenna connector.

Note: HD Navigation Systems only do two things well: find me the closest Harley Dealer, find me the closest gas station. Otherwise it is a brain dead device.

You're luckier then I am with the dealer locator. Tried to visit Williamsport HD and it took me to an abandoned wearhouse about a mile from the dealer. Three rivers in Pittsburgh about hald a mile away at some old house... It will tell you to turn the wrong way when you get off the highway for Schocks in Stroudsburg, although you can see the dealer from there so it's doesn't really matter. And my personal favorite - It will have you to try to pull off a limited access highway (I-81) where there's no exit to get to Southern Tier HD in NY. And unfortunately, It's not obvious how to get there from where it leaves you, even though the dealer is on the other side of the fence. I guess maybe do a Steve McQueen and jump that thing. LOL!!!!

I still like it though since it's built in with nothing hanging on the bars. It's far from perfect, probably not even qualifies as good, but I still like it.

Ride Safe,
J-Carr

mrmagloo · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2008, 12:47:49 PM »

I thought I read somewhere that the metal windshield trim has been found to be interferring with the GPS in some cases? Don't know how much truth there is to this, but I saw a few folks who claimed to have removed it with positive results. You mileage may vary, but it might be worth a try?

RedDevil · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2008, 08:53:47 PM »

Quote from: mrmagloo on December 15, 2008, 12:47:49 PM

I thought I read somewhere that the metal windshield trim has been found to be interferring with the GPS in some cases? Don't know how much truth there is to this, but I saw a few folks who claimed to have removed it with positive results. You mileage may vary, but it might be worth a try?

I know one dealer claimed that's and issue with the XM radio reception on the 09's. I say bull hockey!! I've had the stainless steel stip under my windshield since day one and have not had any XM or GPS reception issues. Could be just my bike though. Maybe I got one of them there "speshul" windshield trims.

fourstar · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2008, 10:33:03 AM »

Quote from: mrmagloo on December 15, 2008, 12:47:49 PM

I thought I read somewhere that the metal windshield trim has been found to be interferring with the GPS in some cases? Don't know how much truth there is to this, but I saw a few folks who claimed to have removed it with positive results. You mileage may vary, but it might be worth a try?

I took the outer fairing off and it still wouldn't acquire satellites so I don't think the metal strip is the problem. The dealer says they have some fix to try that they got from the MOCO. It allegedly involves using a longer antenna to "jumpstart" the system. If that doesn't work they'll replace the module. I'm pretty sure it won't work. Besides that, the display on the radio is blank whenever I start up the bike. The radio plays, but I have to touch any one of the radio controls before the display comes on. I think a whole new radio is in order.
Stay tuned...

Ultra Villa · « **Reply #22 on:** December 30, 2008, 02:36:15 PM »

Good news, my GPS woe's have been resolved. The GPS unit was replaced twice, and the dealer explanation was that the lojack may have been interfering with the signal. I don't care what the problem was, I am just glad to have it working again. I've become a slave to technology. I will however have the ZUMO before my next long ride.

Good luck fourstar.

Keats · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2008, 08:14:01 PM »

Quote from: LRebel on December 06, 2008, 10:23:17 PM

Don't have any idea if mine works or not..... Got smart and bought a Zumo back in the spring

I am in the same boat, never tried my nav system.
much to archaic for me to want to learn.

I found out scribing out maps on rocks was a better system than the std nav system

RedDevil · « **Reply #24 on:** December 31, 2008, 10:32:40 AM »

Quote from: Ultra Villa on December 30, 2008, 02:36:15 PM

Good news, my GPS woe's have been resolved. The GPS unit was replaced twice, and the dealer explanation was that the lojack may have been interfering with the signal. I don't care what the problem was, I am just glad to have it working again. I've become a slave to technology. I will however have the ZUMO before my next long ride.

Good luck fourstar.

I tell you, the lengths that the dealers and the MoCo will go to blame it on something other than their product, is absolutely amazing!! Blaming it on LoJack is absolute crap!!! LoJack is not activated until the vehicle is reported stolen. So to say it's interfering with the Nav unit is crap!!! I have both the metal strip and LoJack on my SEUC and have no problems with the Nav unit. Your unit was bad, plain and simple. The MoCo needs to step up to the plate and realize that it's not always the "other guy's fault." Jeeez, what a bunch of Maroons.

sportygordy · « **Reply #25 on:** December 31, 2008, 11:03:14 AM »

Quote from: RedDevil on December 31, 2008, 10:32:40 AM

I tell you, the lengths that the dealers and the MoCo will go to blame it on something other than their product, is absolutely amazing!! Blaming it on LoJack is absolute crap!!! LoJack is not activated until the vehicle is reported stolen. So to say it's interfering with the Nav unit is crap!!! I have both the metal strip and LoJack on my SEUC and have no problems with the Nav unit. Your unit was bad, plain and simple. The MoCo needs to step up to the plate and realize that it's not always the "other guy's fault." Jeeez, what a bunch of Maroons.

A bit interesting since a lot of dealers are pushing Lo-Jack with bike sales now days.. emmmm

fourstar · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2009, 01:37:53 AM »

I got a call from the dealer on Christmas Eve. The Service Writer said they had some fix the MOCO had sent and needed me to bring it in to install it. They said they'd do it while I waited. Supposedly it had something to do with an antenna. So I took it in. And I waited for about two or three hours while the tech worked on it. I have also been having a problem with the display on the radio going blank when the ignition is turned off and staying blank until I hit one of the handlebar controls so I asked them to check that as well. The tech did something to the GPS and "reflashed" the radio. By the time it was done, I was in deep doodoo with the SO because of things I was supposed to get done around the house in preparation for a Christmas party, so I didn't take time to set it up and check it out until after Christmas. Lo and behold, the nav system still doesn't acquire satellites. And the radio display still blanks after the ignition is switched off.
The good news is my SO evenually got over being pissed at me. So I have that going for me...

hard10 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 01, 2009, 01:52:10 AM »

Quote from: fourstar on January 01, 2009, 01:37:53 AM

...
The good news is my SO evenually got over being pissed at me. So I have that going for me...

****, keeping the CFO happy is most important!

Author Topic: Navigation System Failure (Read 5365 times)