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Mazda CX-7 Navigation System
Radio Flicker issue:
12/8/06
Radio Button Lights started flickering. I have the Technology Package, and it's JUST the buttons for the radio (around the nav screen), but not including the navigation screen. All other interior and exterior lighting appears to be fine. It started tonight... lasted about 10 minutes... and then stopped.
12/14/06
First time since last Friday and the radio lights were flickering tonight again. I go in for an oil change next week, so I'm going to mention it. Audio guy took a quick look and didn't see anything wrong. Someone on these forums reported a similar problem as well (but no known cause yet).
Interestingly enough, it wasn't cold tonight (like it was last week when it happened). It also only seemed to start after I had been driving the car for a while (more than 30 minutes). I do a lot of local driving and often am not in the car longer than 10 minutes.
I can't link it to anything else. Turned off power seats it still continued. Radio off it still continued. Heat off it continued. Nav screen and other interior/exterior lights seem fine.
12/21/06
Went for 1,000 mile oil change.
Dealer couldn't replicate the problem (which I knew would happen). I have to try to bring it in when it's occurring. They did do a PCM Flash and the other (previously mentioned) person with the same problem said that fixed it (or was just a coincidence) - so my fingers are crossed.
12/22/06
Last night the radio lights were flickering again. PCM Flash did not resolve it.
I took the car back to the dealer today. It has been difficult to demonstrate the problem because during the day you cannot see that the radio buttons are lit (and they aren't lit unless the headlights are on). It also doesn't happen until after the car is good and warmed up (after I've been driving it at least 30 minutes). I did drive it for a good hour before bringing it, hoping they would see the issue when it was pulled into the (darker) shop. The technician connected the car to a computer and it did not return any diagnostic codes/problems. He then called the Mazda Tech Line and they said "there have been some issues with the radio/navigation system but not this specific problem" (and my symptoms do not include the navigation screen - that seems to be fine). They told the tech to remove the radio and check connections first and that the unit might need to be replaced.
This was not something they could do today (they were on a limited schedule because of the holiday), so I am scheduled to bring the car back on January 4th (their earliest appointment available). I will be leaving the car with them for the day.
Everyone at Mazda has been VERY nice and professional, and they are trying their best to track down the issue. Right now it's more of an annoyance to me than a serious issue, but I just hope it's not an indication of other electrical problems.
It was curious to me that the Mazda Tech Line said there were some issues. Anyone else having issues?
I am also directly in touch with Bose, and will keep you posted of the outcome.
12/8/06
Radio Button Lights started flickering. I have the Technology Package, and it's JUST the buttons for the radio (around the nav screen), but not including the navigation screen. All other interior and exterior lighting appears to be fine. It started tonight... lasted about 10 minutes... and then stopped.
12/14/06
First time since last Friday and the radio lights were flickering tonight again. I go in for an oil change next week, so I'm going to mention it. Audio guy took a quick look and didn't see anything wrong. Someone on these forums reported a similar problem as well (but no known cause yet).
Interestingly enough, it wasn't cold tonight (like it was last week when it happened). It also only seemed to start after I had been driving the car for a while (more than 30 minutes). I do a lot of local driving and often am not in the car longer than 10 minutes.
I can't link it to anything else. Turned off power seats it still continued. Radio off it still continued. Heat off it continued. Nav screen and other interior/exterior lights seem fine.
12/21/06
Went for 1,000 mile oil change.
Dealer couldn't replicate the problem (which I knew would happen). I have to try to bring it in when it's occurring. They did do a PCM Flash and the other (previously mentioned) person with the same problem said that fixed it (or was just a coincidence) - so my fingers are crossed.
12/22/06
Last night the radio lights were flickering again. PCM Flash did not resolve it.
I took the car back to the dealer today. It has been difficult to demonstrate the problem because during the day you cannot see that the radio buttons are lit (and they aren't lit unless the headlights are on). It also doesn't happen until after the car is good and warmed up (after I've been driving it at least 30 minutes). I did drive it for a good hour before bringing it, hoping they would see the issue when it was pulled into the (darker) shop. The technician connected the car to a computer and it did not return any diagnostic codes/problems. He then called the Mazda Tech Line and they said "there have been some issues with the radio/navigation system but not this specific problem" (and my symptoms do not include the navigation screen - that seems to be fine). They told the tech to remove the radio and check connections first and that the unit might need to be replaced.
This was not something they could do today (they were on a limited schedule because of the holiday), so I am scheduled to bring the car back on January 4th (their earliest appointment available). I will be leaving the car with them for the day.
Everyone at Mazda has been VERY nice and professional, and they are trying their best to track down the issue. Right now it's more of an annoyance to me than a serious issue, but I just hope it's not an indication of other electrical problems.
It was curious to me that the Mazda Tech Line said there were some issues. Anyone else having issues?
I am also directly in touch with Bose, and will keep you posted of the outcome.
0
Comments
The owner's manual seems to indicate that the Voice Command can be suspended. Sometimes, I want to use the steering column's MUTE button for just that...mute. However, with Nav installed, the mute button activates Voice Command. The owner's manual indicates that if I press the Voice Command button aka Mute for .7 seconds continually, then Voice Command is suspended. No such luck. The audio system is still broadcasting music. If I press the Voice Command button again, the audio goes mute for a few seconds, but the NAV system interprets the silence as an unrecognized command.
The owner's manual is clearly wrong or poorly written or I'm just flat-out doing something wrong.
Any thoughts?
Vince.
The best I can determine is that the CX-7 only list shopping centers or Malls, not individual stores like the Garmin. I just want to know if the CX-7 data base is that much more limited or is it a Software issue or is it the way I am using it. I have been trying to get an answer from both Mazda and Navteq. They both referred me to the other
For example if you are not using the Nav and instead using the Satelite Radio or FM Radio... Maybe browsing through the stations.... The NAV screen keep poping up... Is any way to keep the SOUND creen instead the NAV screen? :mad:
Vince.
Thank you
Jim
But....The Nav in the CX7 does not plays DVDs - it will play standard CDs or MP3 encoded CDs. The map disk goes into the NAV deck under the passenger seat and it isn't meant to be swapped with any other disk.
Vince.
Set the nav system with Lake Placid, NY as our destination.
Drove from Hudson NY to Lake Placid for an overnight. This morning climbed Mt. Whiteface nearby. Set the nav system to return home to Hudson, NY.
It sent us north one way, and south another way. Any explanation?
NMK
Jim
Understand that unit is NOT designed to play DVD movies. It's only purpose is processing the DVD map disk.
Vince.
I'm guessing we'll have to wait at least a year before we'll know if updates are available.
Vince.
NMK
Vince.
The CX is named "Maddy the Mazda". We have a Mercury wagon called "Mindy the Merc".
I haven't told my wife that my first real girl friend was named "Maddy" and I have not intention of ever telling her either. (Grin)
It's not our policy to keep people away from our Forums so we cannot guarantee she'll never see your message. :shades:
tidester, host
You stick to your knitting and I will stick to mine. Keep your nose out of my married life, if you please.
NMK
That would have been prudent.
In any case, let's get back to topic.
tidester, host
Vince.
I'm surprised that Mazda in Hawaii couldn't answer the question. Why not log onto the www.mazdausa.com website and post a query to the customer support? They should be able to tell you.
Vince.
The tech package is a factory option from Japan and I think when you come to the mainland you'd have to either swap cars, or snag a store-bought NAV unit - but in the case of the latter option, you'd be missing out on some of the other package goodies.
I also noticed that the Sirius preset stations that I set do not get saved. Every time I restart the car, I get 184, 185...
Interesting. You may not be setting the memory buttons correctly. Choose Sirius 1, 2 or 3. Select a Sirius channel, say "20". Now locate the 6 memory buttons. Pick one. Press and hold the touch screen button for a moment. You should hear a beep when the channel is stored correctly. If not you may have an issue.
Hope that helps! Vince.
Vince.
Thanks.... :confuse:
Update.
Okay, so I don't think it's the radio exactly.
Tonight, on the way home from x-mas eve festivities the radio button lights started flickering again. This time, I pressed the dashboard illumination button on the gauge cluster that forces all the gauge and radio lights to be in "day w/headlights mode" or bright enough to see during the day if your headlights are on (page 5-35 in the manual). The flickering stopped when I pressed the button. I pressed it again (to return to normal mode) and the flickering started right back up. I then turned the dial and adjusted the illumination all the way up (until it beeped) and the flickering stopped (I had adjusted it slightly down when I first picked up the car).
So... if this is a type of voltage regulator that controls the dimming of the gauges and radio lights, it appears to get a little funny when they are dimmed a bit. Interestingly, it doesn't cause everything to flicker, just the radio light buttons.
I'll keep my eye on it now the next few days...
Do you mean a POI "Point of Interest" that's part of the map's database or do you mean a destination you inserted yourself?
Vince.
I assume that you mean the preset destinations or memory points that you've programmed in.
For preset destinations or memory points you've stored:
If you see it on the map on screen just select it but touching its icon. Preset destinations will show as little numbered flags and will display their name if you chose to show it when you programmed it. Memory points show as icons, again with their name if you've chosen to show it. Once you select it, hit "info" at the top of the screen for more details (latitude, longitude, address, etc.).
If you don't see them on the map on screen (because it's out of the area you're currently in), press the menu button -- then "address book" -- then "memory points/home" -- then "list". A list of memory points will come up. Select the "change" button and the category will change to preset destinations. From either of these lists you can select the name of the memory point or preset destinations for all the details (address, phone - if you put it in - name, etc.)
The reason I ask is that yesterday while driving between San Diego and Orange County, my wife and I realized we could do very little with the system while on the freeway. We were looking for a place to eat, but the system had us locked out so we couldn't select any of the options. Once we pulled off the freeway and stopped, all of the options were suddenly available.
Is this the way the system works? The only previous experience I've had with a nav system is from my brother's Acura, but it let us enter all kinds of info (new destinations, etc.) while driving along the freeway (on our way to Vegas) without stopping.
I got the nav system with the belief that one of the benefits was being able to search for gas stations, restaurants, etc. while driving along - is this not the case? Or am I just not using the system correctly? Sorry if I'm just being a moron, but I figured all of you would know - thanks.
BUT, you can access POI's while on the move. You can do it with voice. For example - press the voice button and say "I'm hungry" and restaurants will show up on the map.
There should also be a POI button on your map. I'm not sure if it shows up while you're moving or not, but I have it set up by default to show all restaurants, gas stations, shopping, grocery stores and ATMs all the time.
Hope that helps. Review the voice commands in the book... they really are helpful when you're moving. Another good example is if you have a route planned already and you get stuck in traffic. You can say "detour" and it will try to route you another way.
When you're sitting in your driveway, set your home as a memory point first (hit "memory point" on the screen). Then go into your address book and pull up memory points, hit "list" and select the one you just entered for home. At the top of the screen you can hit "change" for changing category. From there you can set it to your home position.
I think?
Vince.
Thanks again!
You'll get the hang of it. It's a little picky how you say things, but I find it works well most of the time.