GPS problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Philly
ML430 ML320 300DT
GPS problem
I have a 2000 ML430 with about 71000 miles. The navigation system was working flawlessly until the past 3 months. It started intermittently with the map being off course (showing wrong location) and was only happening 10 percent of the time, then increased to the present point of not ever correcting the location. I also noticed that in the GPS Information, it does not see any satelites at all.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
2002 ML500, 2000 CLK320
I had the same problem and it took 2 years to solve! The unit was replaced twice. The antenna was replaced once. It turned out to be rust in the middle of the antenne wire from the antenne to the unit. In other words, replacing the antenna did not work; but they had to replace the whole cable.
Good luck - this drove me nuts!
Good luck - this drove me nuts!
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
2002 ML500, 2000 CLK320
Get them to replace the cable from the antenna to the unit. This is EXACTLY what hapeened to me. Took 2.5 years to fix it!
When I first got the car, it would get lost 5% of the time. Over time, it got to the point when it would fail 70% of the time.
The pointer icon would float off course. It was like it was drifting out. It would then lock in on another road, then recalculate the course - very annoying. Sometimes the map would spin around and around - even when stopped at a light. Nothing would solve it (reboot etc). The nav unit was replaced twice.
I would persist for hours. The next day - it might be fine....but not for long.
I figured out that it consitantly happened one day AFTER it rained, or if I powerwashed the car. It happened more in winter than summer (I wash the car more in the winter).
This led me to believe that it was a leaky antenna housing. They relaced it, but it was still broken.
I took a movie of it, and send it to MB Canada. When they looked at it, they were perplexed. We got to the point where a refund (after almost 3 years) was about to come about. Then I asked them if they actually replaced the cable. After some research, they realized that when you replace the antenna, the cable to the unit is not replaced. We ordered this part. When they removed the antenna cable, they say they saw some rust on it a little ways into the car. There must have been some sort of leak - hence the issue got worse a few days after washing the car.
It's been working for 4 months now.
Every so often it loses track, but comes back after a few seconds. I figure this is normal.
Good luck.
When I first got the car, it would get lost 5% of the time. Over time, it got to the point when it would fail 70% of the time.
The pointer icon would float off course. It was like it was drifting out. It would then lock in on another road, then recalculate the course - very annoying. Sometimes the map would spin around and around - even when stopped at a light. Nothing would solve it (reboot etc). The nav unit was replaced twice.
I would persist for hours. The next day - it might be fine....but not for long.
I figured out that it consitantly happened one day AFTER it rained, or if I powerwashed the car. It happened more in winter than summer (I wash the car more in the winter).
This led me to believe that it was a leaky antenna housing. They relaced it, but it was still broken.
I took a movie of it, and send it to MB Canada. When they looked at it, they were perplexed. We got to the point where a refund (after almost 3 years) was about to come about. Then I asked them if they actually replaced the cable. After some research, they realized that when you replace the antenna, the cable to the unit is not replaced. We ordered this part. When they removed the antenna cable, they say they saw some rust on it a little ways into the car. There must have been some sort of leak - hence the issue got worse a few days after washing the car.
It's been working for 4 months now.
Every so often it loses track, but comes back after a few seconds. I figure this is normal.
Good luck.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
2008 BMW 335xi Coupe
mine was having the same exact problems for about a year.. then they finally went ahead and replaced my antenna and it has been working fine so far.. its only been a month and i have only used it twice.. if it happens again.. i am gonna go there and tell them to give me my money back for the $500 antenna they made me pay for
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
2002 ML500, 2000 CLK320
That's too bad. I must say (and give a plug), that Ogilvie Motors, where I bring it, maintained total ownership of the probem for the entire time - they just didn't know what to do anymore. But, thoughout, they were fantastic.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Can anyone tell me how to change the GPS antenna on a 2001 ML430? Ever since the battery in the vehicle was changed, the nav shows me several hundred miles away from where I am actually located and it won't pick up any satellites.
