Gps Problems

[nhrider]

Does anyone know how to read the GPS Information screen (hidden menu)?

I've been having problems with the navigation system intermittently loosing it's way . The dealer has been no help, as the problem is intermittent (but happens frequently), and this seems to fall outside their area of expertice....so I'm going to have to try to localize the problem to point them in the right direction. The GPS light is frequently off on the Map screen (no GPS lock). When I look at the GPS information screen, there doesn't appear to be any signal being received (LVL?), or not enough channels to plot a position.

I suspect a bad antenna, or something causing poor signal reception. The problem is more frequent with bad weather (cloudy skys), but it renders the nav system almost useless, as I never know when it's going to loose its way. Where are the antenna's located? I know there's an external one on the rear roof top...but I beleive there's another also. Location of any antenna connectors (that might be loose)? I don't have any routing diagrams.

This is the 3rd vehicle I've had with a nav system (ML430, RX330, and currently an RX400h)... There were no issues with the previous systems.

Any help greatfully appreciated.

David

[speedyg]

that sounds like a very frustrating problem. what did the dealer tell you? were they unwilling to take the vehicle and try to reproduce the problem? were they unwilling to tell you where the antennas/connections/etc were located? do you have other dealers in your area?

[nhrider]

that sounds like a very frustrating problem. what did the dealer tell you? were they unwilling to take the vehicle and try to reproduce the problem? were they unwilling to tell you where the antennas/connections/etc were located? do you have other dealers in your area?

The dealer was unable to verify the problem when it was in for routine maintenance. I did want it documented that I had reported the problem.

Next time I'm going to insist that they keep the car for a while. The only feedback I got was that they couldn't duplicate the issue, no error codes were logged, and they re-set some of the 'basic settings'...whatever that means. As I said, I'm not new to Nav systems, so I know what it should be doing. They didn't seem to understand the Nav system, and how to debug it.

I didn't ask for the antenna info at that time.

I live in NH, and they are the only Lexus dealer in the state. I could go to a MA dealer if necessary. I work in MA.

[digitalfx]

Does anyone know how to read the GPS Information screen (hidden menu)?

I've been having problems with the navigation system intermittently loosing it's way . The dealer has been no help, as the problem is intermittent (but happens frequently), and this seems to fall outside their area of expertice....so I'm going to have to try to localize the problem to point them in the right direction. The GPS light is frequently off on the Map screen (no GPS lock). When I look at the GPS information screen, there doesn't appear to be any signal being received (LVL?), or not enough channels to plot a position.

I suspect a bad antenna, or something causing poor signal reception. The problem is more frequent with bad weather (cloudy skys), but it renders the nav system almost useless, as I never know when it's going to loose its way. Where are the antenna's located? I know there's an external one on the rear roof top...but I beleive there's another also. Location of any antenna connectors (that might be loose)? I don't have any routing diagrams.

This is the 3rd vehicle I've had with a nav system (ML430, RX330, and currently an RX400h)... There were no issues with the previous systems.

Any help greatfully appreciated.

David

I have had the same issues...there is definatley a bug somewhere. It is very erratic. Fortunatly It hasnt happened in a few months.

[kmke]

Does anyone know how to read the GPS Information screen (hidden menu)?

I've been having problems with the navigation system intermittently loosing it's way . The dealer has been no help, as the problem is intermittent (but happens frequently), and this seems to fall outside their area of expertice....so I'm going to have to try to localize the problem to point them in the right direction. The GPS light is frequently off on the Map screen (no GPS lock). When I look at the GPS information screen, there doesn't appear to be any signal being received (LVL?), or not enough channels to plot a position.

I suspect a bad antenna, or something causing poor signal reception. The problem is more frequent with bad weather (cloudy skys), but it renders the nav system almost useless, as I never know when it's going to loose its way. Where are the antenna's located? I know there's an external one on the rear roof top...but I beleive there's another also. Location of any antenna connectors (that might be loose)? I don't have any routing diagrams.

This is the 3rd vehicle I've had with a nav system (ML430, RX330, and currently an RX400h)... There were no issues with the previous systems.

Any help greatfully appreciated.

David

This is the process we used from a prior thread on accessing the overrides on the RX400h nav system:

Select MENU, VOLUME

on the VOLUME Screen:

Press and hold the left top corner for one second

Press and hold the bottom left corner for one second

Press and hold the left top corner for one second

Press and hold the bottom left corner for one second

SCREEN should transition to the overrides and show GPS mid screen left column

SELECT GPS to show current number and status of satelites.

Hope this helps. Ken

[nhrider]

Does anyone know how to read the GPS Information screen (hidden menu)?

I've been having problems with the navigation system intermittently loosing it's way . The dealer has been no help, as the problem is intermittent (but happens frequently), and this seems to fall outside their area of expertice....so I'm going to have to try to localize the problem to point them in the right direction. The GPS light is frequently off on the Map screen (no GPS lock). When I look at the GPS information screen, there doesn't appear to be any signal being received (LVL?), or not enough channels to plot a position.

I suspect a bad antenna, or something causing poor signal reception. The problem is more frequent with bad weather (cloudy skys), but it renders the nav system almost useless, as I never know when it's going to loose its way. Where are the antenna's located? I know there's an external one on the rear roof top...but I beleive there's another also. Location of any antenna connectors (that might be loose)? I don't have any routing diagrams.

This is the 3rd vehicle I've had with a nav system (ML430, RX330, and currently an RX400h)... There were no issues with the previous systems.

Any help greatfully appreciated.

David

This is the process we used from a prior thread on accessing the overrides on the RX400h nav system:

Select MENU, VOLUME

on the VOLUME Screen:

Press and hold the left top corner for one second

Press and hold the bottom left corner for one second

Press and hold the left top corner for one second

Press and hold the bottom left corner for one second

SCREEN should transition to the overrides and show GPS mid screen left column

SELECT GPS to show current number and status of satelites.

Hope this helps. Ken

Well here's the latest on my GPS signal strength issue. I spent some time trying to isolate any variables that might be involved. The problem turns out to be my radar detector! It appears to be interfering with the GPS signals. If I unplug it all reception problems go away.

It's sensative to location. I originally had it on the lower windshield just right of the Nav console (close to the dashboard...low profile location). By moving it up on the windshield ~ 10" the problems virtually dissappear. It reads more birds and signal strength increases dramatically....so I'm still able to use the radar detector, it's just in a more visable position...further up the windshield.

The radar detector is an Escort 7500 that I've had for years. I'm going to try to verify the frequencies for good measure. I never would have guessed that the radar detector was causing the problems.

Thanks for the assistance,

Dave

[Rx330driver]

interesting...that would have been the first thing id have checked :P its actually pretty interesting nobody caught this because both use signals, clearly, they would have messed each other up