Mike Blaszczak

My 1999 C4 is getting older, and I'm starting to get frustrated. I have a PCM unit. I love the navigation system.

But AM radio reception stinks. It's horrible. Either there's irregular popping, or swirling and shreiking whistles. I expect there's a grounding problem, but what isn't grounded correctly? The PCM unit itself? The in-trunk amplifier box?

Is there a TSB about this problem? I seem to remember it being common back when I bought my car, but never got my dealer to pay attention to me.

My original CDC-3 died on me. I replaced it with a Becker Silverstone 7860, and that one died within six months. I found a used CDC-3, and it seems to be working ... for now.

If I can fix the AM interference issue and the CDC-3 keeps working, I guess I'll keep the PSM I system.

But I also need to get updated discs -- the newest set I have is from 2000. Does anyone know if NavTech is still producing these, and how much they cost?

But say things don't work out. I've read some posts here from folks who have installed other systems; I guess I would go with a Kenwood DDX7017 and the Sirius and navigation add-ons. Can anyone suggest a better system? Does this rig lock me into Sirius, or can I get XM?

Mitty

TSB:
9005 Suppressor Kit for AM Reception Noise Mar 25, 1999

Get updates (if available) from NAVTEQ. The website says there are no new updates however.

There are a lot of cool replacement options. Alpine and Kenwood have some awesome units. But, I like the temp/mileage/speed gong/other data integrated in the PCM.

Toreador

That's the only thing keeping me from upgrading my audio. I love those things.

BTW Sirius is better than XM, at least for me.

TD in DC

Call and talk to Navteq. Approximately two weeks ago, I bought the newest version of the CDs, which is labeled 2003.1 In my experience, the website is never, ever correct.

Mike Blaszczak

W00t!!1! Thanks! I'll see if it has ever been applied to my car.

I've already gone through the NavTech site. They say there's "no new updates". But how can they possibly know which version I currently have?

It's neat, and having the HVAC controls is nice, too. Thing is, these are redundant to the HVAC control panel. My car also has the BC, so I get the speed chime, consumption, and temperature up there, too.

TD in DC

Don't bother going to the Navteq site ever. It stinks. Rather, pull out your CD tonight. Unless it is 2003.1, you have an out of date CD. Call Navteq, insist that there is an update available, and order it.

BTW, they say that there will be no new updates, ever, for the PCM 1 . . . Bastards . . .

Mike Blaszczak

Crap sandwich! My dealer says no such TSB exists.

Mike Blaszczak

That stinks. I know nothing lasts forever, but I didn't expect forced obsolescence only four years after buying my rig.

mduff

I just called them also and they denied that 2003.1 would work on PCM 1. They said only the 2001 version would work. I'm having second thoughts about retro fiting my 99. Are there any other issues that I need to be concerned about before I undertake this?

TD in DC

Call back and talk to a different service representative. I am, and have been, using 2003.1 in my PCM 1 unit for a couple of months now. As far as I know, PCM 1 is PCM 1, and there is no reason why it would work on mine but not yours.

C4 Pazzo

TD, Are you sure its 2003.1, and if it is that you don't have PCMII? I just ordered the latest disks for my 2000 with PCM 1 and they sent me 7 disks labeled 2001.1. Do you have 7 disks or fewer for the whole country?

TD in DC

I could not be more positive that all the new disks I just bought from Navteq say 2003.1, and I am absolutely positive that I have PCM 1. I bought the disks for the entire country, but I cannot remember how many there are. Trying to get accurate information out of Navteq is nearly impossible, and I have had luck simply by being polite but extremely persistent.

C4 Pazzo

Interesting. This post from Renntech says that the most recent PCM1 disks (7 disks) are 2001.1 and the most recent PCM 2 disks (2 disks) are 2003.1. I did not think the 2003.1 disks would work with PCM 1, since the hardware is from a different manufacturer than PCM 2. I'd like to try the newer disks with my system so I could exchange the 7 older disks I just bought from Navteq.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2012

TD in DC

Now, let me add to the confusion a little more. My disks that say 2003.1 are definitely more than two. When you asked how many I had, I didn't really remember, but it is somewhere between 5 and 7. I promise you that I am not making this up . . .

The 2003.1 disks work just fine, and IIRC they have additional features (e.g., more information regarding POIs).

TD in DC

On the way in to work, I snapped a few pictures of my PCM1 and the 2003.1 disks. I will post them later. The disk in my PCM1 right now says "Disk 6: Mid Atlantic . . . . 2003.1" So, there are at least 6 disks (maybe 7, I don't know), they are very clearly printed as 2003.1, and they work in my PCM1.

Who is more trustworthy, (1) Navteq, (2) Porsche, or (3) fellow rennlisters? Don't worry, I will post photographic proof later today or tomorrow . . .