GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I am trying to figure out this navigation system. I would think that it automatically triangulates where you are but it says I am somewhere in VA (I am in southern CA). I see there is a calibration setup but not sure how it works. It also says its Jan 2001 on the calender. I can't figure out how to set the date. I looking the Navigation system supplement but found no help.

I don't believe we had to do anything to "calibrate" on ours. Of course, maybe the dealer had already done it. I know there's a someplace to choose select areas of the country - maybe your's is set up for the wrong geographic area? For example, I think MN, WI, IA, IL are one 'section', etc. I can't remember off the top of my head how to get to that menu. That and the clock might both be in the 'setup' menu?The gal has the Vibe out of town for the weekend, or else I'd go check for you.

Don't have the built-in Nav system in either of our Vibes (I prefer the aftermarket ones for a variety of reasons), but it sounds like yours isn't getting good satellite reception. It should automatically get the position and the date/time from the satellite data. Is there any indication how many satellites are being received?If the unit was reset or is in a very different location from where it was last used, then it may take awhile to start searching for the right set of satellites. Stop somewhere with a decent view of the sky and leave the system on for 15 minutes or so and see if it finds itself.

I don't see any way to see how good of reception I am getting. Maybe it was a little cloudy today but I dont see why it wouldn't have gotten reception. It is supposed to be cloudy or rainy until Thurs. I know there is a clock setup, I can change the time (but when I set it to Auto GPS time, its the wrong time), but not the date.

Clouds and rain make almost no difference to reception (although a solid sheet of water on the windshield could). But when the unit is first trying to get a lock it can be difficult when you're moving since a given satellite may be getting blocked periodically by trees, buildings, etc. and prevent the unit from getting the needed data which describes the satellite orbit. Once the unit has this ephemeris and almanac data then subsequent signal interruptions have only a minimal effect.Since your system is confused about where it is I'd suggest giving it a better opportunity to find itself by leaving the system turned on while the car remains parked somewhere out in the open Do you know where the antenna is located? Make sure that nothing metallic is blocking it.

Hey Justin, don't have much help, but welcome to the site! Where you at in SD?

I didn't think it would, I had to learn all that radio wave propagation and satellite comms and fun stuff for my job too. I think it figured itself out just now, tomorrow I will test it and see if it follows me.Anyone know how to set the date on this thing? I feel like my grandparents, "Why is the VCR blinking 12:00 like that?"I live in Chula Vista right now...

Quote, originally posted by justin0469 »I didn't think it would, I had to learn all that radio wave propagation and satellite comms and fun stuff for my job too. I think it figured itself out just now, tomorrow I will test it and see if it follows me.Anyone know how to set the date on this thing? I feel like my grandparents, "Why is the VCR blinking 12:00 like that?"I live in Chula Vista right now...Must be an ET or FC in the Navy!

Close... IT... Just about all the same.BTW, I really want to get those reflector overlays you have but the website says you need a heatgun and experience with applying vinyls to complex curves, I don't have. Maybe I can buy them and borrow your expertise...

Once it locks onto the satellite signals it'll automatically get very precise date and time information. You should only need to tell it that you want the time to be based on the Pacific Time Zone which I'd expect would be done in some system configuration menu.

Hm, well I will try tomorrow then. I keep going back and forth about buying a new nav disc since this one is from 2001 and sometimes has problems reading. Either alarm/keyless entry or Nav disc...

Quote, originally posted by justin0469 »Close... IT... Just about all the same.BTW, I really want to get those reflector overlays you have but the website says you need a heatgun and experience with applying vinyls to complex curves, I don't have. Maybe I can buy them and borrow your expertise... Haha, all in Great Lakes! The reflector overlays were a *****! Even with someone who had plenty of experience, we still couldn't get them perfect. You don't necessarily need a heat gun, a blow dryer works the same. It just takes lots of time and patience.

I let it sit for about 20 minutes without moving and nothing. I manually calibrated it but sometimes when I start the car after it has been off, it is off again, maybe by about 20 miles. If I set the clock to auto GPS time it is off by 28 minutes. I don't know where the antenna for the GPS is either.

Do you think that a new nav disc could solve the problem? Maybe the program is so outdated it is having conflicts with the information it receives or is scratched up enough that the program and information is not loaded correctly?

Sadly, with this system, I think your best bet is to take it to a dealer and let them figure it out.

"Do you think that a new nav disc could solve the problem?"I would doubt it. Usually a new disk will only give you updated maps but won't change the basic operation of the system with regard to finding the proper time and location.When it does finally put you in the right location, does it then track properly as you drive around?

If I manually config it, it follows me ok for awhile then it starts to get confused or something and end up some place I am not. Not just because the road isn't there or something, Not even the right area. Oh well, take it in, warranty would cover it, at least I hope.

the antenna should be located at the base of the windshield in the center right under the windshield vent. To get to it would require the dash be removed there is a thread that describes that process in the "How To Mod Index"I had an after market usb gps for my laptop that started going goofy after the wire got pinched. I wonder if this may be the issue?

similar to what bill said, GPS antennas are VERY whiny. i'm on my second USB antenna, and it's flaking out already (only used it a half-dozen times). It will find my location fine, then i move, and all of a sudden I'm 10 blocks from where I was, then I'm back where i really was again...But yeah, disc won't matter. It's maps only. Sounds like a bum antenna, let the dealer deal with it.

Alright, I'm takin it in tomorrow morning and see if they have time. Hopefully something simple. Although I wouldn't mind an all new system under warranty, some of those buttons are getting worn out

At Acura we had a combination of buttons you hit to get to the Service Screen of your nav, where you could select satellites, triangulate your position for adjustment and such. Pretty cool. Even had an auto mode where it would run through the checks on its own. Must've been a good system as we had to start pulling any cars with NAV into the garages at night due to high theft of the systems. Kinda odd, as it was very expensive to put a stock system in the car once it was sold.

Hm, that sounds like a good possibility. Anyone have a factory service manual to look it up?

Does any one know if I get a new head unit from Pontiac if it comes with a new disc?

Quote, originally posted by justin0469 »Does any one know if I get a new head unit from Pontiac if it comes with a new disc?that's a negative. the disc is a separate item.

Alright, I didn't think so. The dealership said since the nav system is not covered under warranty, the best they can do is get it at dealer cost, and take off $400. Leaving my total to be $700! I thought maybe I could justify it to myself if it came with a new disc, but I just don't think I can swing that.

Quote, originally posted by justin0469 »the nav system is not covered under warrantyhow so???are you within your 3/36 period??EVERYTHING is covered within the initial 3/36 warranty...

This is a 2003 Vibe with almost 80 Kmiles bought used. So it has a used car warranty, not the original 3/36, and those are frequently less inclusive.For well under $700 you can get a really nice aftermarket GPS navigation system that will come with up-to-date maps. Personally I prefer portable units, such as those from TomTom, Garmin, Magellan, etc. to any of the built-in models for the additional versatility of using them when away from the car or in other vehicles (rentals, etc.).

Quote, originally posted by prathman »This is a 2003 Vibe with almost 80 Kmiles bought used. So it has a used car warranty, not the original 3/36, and those are frequently less inclusive.i must've missed that part. Thanks.

Yeah, I wouldn't use the nav that much anyways. It is just one of those things that since it is there, I want it to work. Plus some of the buttons are worn out and the light behind them show through at night. Oh well...