W211 e320 GPS Problem

[Kolobrie]

Hi All.
Hoping to pick someones brains here. Have trawled through many a google page, including this site and am still at a loss.
Bought my car (2005 E320) a couple of months ago, sixth MB, keep coming back to the fold! Car goes exceptionally well touch wood apart from the satnav not working at all.

when nav or map button is pressed all that happens is I get the swirly waiting symbol then eventually the message "cannot activate satnav" appears.
I have done the obvious, cold reboot, checked all wiring as far as possible and replaced the antenna.

Don't know if it's relevant but the compass is stuck on E and the clock cannot be set. the disc in the satnav unit in the boot seems to be free from scratches and loads ok.

So please for the sake of my locked-down brain can someone point me in the right direction?

many thanks to the site members and admin folk who keep sites like these going!!!

 

[BillyBoy]

I'm no expert, but it sounds like the COMAND unit is not communicating with the Nav unit. These are linked by a fibre optic link I believe, so check for loose plug etc. The other thing it could be, bit I think you would still get a map loading is the GPS antenna. Power and Comms are separate to the Nav unit, so it is quite possible for it to seem to be alive, but not actually be talking.

 

[onefortheroad]

If it's not seeing any satellites you need a fakra antenna fitting inside ebay £10. Or spend loads on a rooftop antenna.

 

[GJP]

My 2005 S211 satnav was CD based - have you popped out the disc, cleaned it and re-inserted it?

 

[Kolobrie]

My 2005 S211 satnav was CD based - have you popped out the disc, cleaned it and re-inserted it?

Yes have tried that GJP, still no luck with satnav/compass. to add insult to injury the radio has now started to sometimes come on by itself...talk about gremlins!!