Denali Navigation Issues

boyd5541 · December 3, 2009

I have a 2006 YUkon XL Denali with the touchscreen naviagation radio and DVD rse. The nav radio system will work fine for a while, then seems to take on a mind of its own. The screen will periodically go blank, but you can still hear the audio through the speakers (radio, CD, RSE, or XM). While the screen is blank, the steering wheel controls still work the volume, source, etc...While the sceen is blank, it will "flash" (as if it is just powering up) but then stay blank. Also, the volume will spike and become extremely loud for maybe a half second. If the volume is turned all the way down, you can hear a slight crackle sound through the speakers. You can also hear the CD/DVD "ticking" as if it is loading. It will repeatedly do this for some time, then the screen comes back on, after the "GMC Bose" welcome message and all is well again. It will do this with or without the nav DVD inserted and also while in this weird mode, the system will not turn off by the power button.

I have searched through threads on multiple forums and googled for hours at a time trying to find answers to what this might be. The truck is out of warranty, so taking it to the dealer isn't my first choice. Before I start emperimenting with fuse pulls or touching battery cables (this reportedly resets the system??) I wanted to post this. Anyone experience similar problem/suggestions? I purchased this truck not too long ago and let go of my 05 Silverado CC, which I loved, but needed more passenger room. This one problem is ruining my "new car" experience. Thanks!

minibike132 · December 4, 2009

It sounds like something internal to the navigation unit. There are plenty of software anomalies that there are updates for but I can't find one for an 06 that matches your problem description. Just because it isn't in a bulliten doesn't mean there isn't an available update. If you can give me your vin I should be able to pull up the current calibrations installed and see if there is any updates and what those updates are for.

boyd5541 · December 4, 2009

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! My VIN is 1GKFK66U16J143760. I went three or four days without a problem, then yesterday it did it a few times while out running around. Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. Only consistentancy has been that it has done it the few mornings I started the truck to warm it up and let it idle for 10 minutes or so. I have tried with the nav disc in and out. Right now I have the disc out. Can hear it "checking" for a disc when it acts up.

Thanks again!

minibike132 · December 4, 2009

Sorry Boyd, for some reason the system shows the calibrations for every possible radio except the navigation unit. I wish I could be of more help. My only suggestion is to have the dealer try an update, if the current calibration is the same as the latest calibration the system won't let it be programmed. It's going to cost you but at that point you will know that you have the most current calibration, if it has the newest or you get the newest and it still acts up my money would be on the unit needing replacement.

boyd5541 · December 5, 2009

Apprecaite your insight and time. Would a problem with the laser cause this (misaligned, etc..). I put my nav disc back in today (took it out for a while), and it went through a few episodes again. Almost each time it would start to "read" the disc, it happened. I also had a "reading DVD" message a few times and I tried to play a music CD in the system and it would not read disc. I have a 6 disc changer in the truck, so wasn't sure if the nav unit was DVD only. Do you know if you can run a CD cleaner through system or do you have to use a DVD cleaner? I've read some info that running a CD cleaner through a DVD based system could foul up the laser more.

boyd5541 · December 6, 2009

Also, what would be "calibrated" by the dealer? Software update I take?

minibike132 · December 6, 2009

Apprecaite your insight and time. Would a problem with the laser cause this (misaligned, etc..). I don't see how it could but I really couldn't give you a technical reason why just a pretty good educated guess.
I put my nav disc back in today (took it out for a while), and it went through a few episodes again. Almost each time it would start to "read" the disc, it happened. I also had a "reading DVD" message a few times and I tried to play a music CD in the system and it would not read disc. I have a 6 disc changer in the truck, so wasn't sure if the nav unit was DVD only. Yes the nav unit is DVD only.

Do you know if you can run a CD cleaner through system or do you have to use a DVD cleaner? I've read some info that running a CD cleaner through a DVD based system could foul up the laser more.

Do not run CD cleaner in this unit.

Also, what would be "calibrated" by the dealer? Software update I take? Yes I mean software update.

Before you do all of this what is the date on the disk, if it isn't the newest one you may want to purchase the newest one first. It does have some software updates on it as well. Also you might try leaving the disk completely out and see if the issues still exist or if they are only present when the disk is installed.

boyd5541 · December 7, 2009

It's the 2005, version 4.1 I already chceked gmnavdisc.com and saw there is an available upgrade, 2009 Terraza/Venture/H3/Uplander/Relay/97X Navigation Disc

25956245. It's out of stock.I have run without the nav disc installed and experienced the same problems. Still trying to narrow down a pattern. Snowed here yesterday, so had the truck warming up for a bit and this time, no problems. I think I may try resetting the system next since I'm running out of "free" options. I have read that either pulling the fuse for 30 sec. or disconnecting the battery cables and touching them together will do this. If all else fails, I guess I'll be scouring for a new unit.