A few months ago the navigation system started rebooting randomly in my Accord. The microphone also does not work. I was able to ignore it for a while but now its getting worse. I'm operating under the theory that when I had body work done a few years the body shop left something loose (this happened with a ground point for the left headlight/turn signal).

Today I took apart the dash and reseated all the connectors on the back of the navigation display unit. Along the way I found the usual evidence of broken clips and missing screws indicating gorillas had been in the dash. I also reseated all the connectors on the back of the navigation control unit in the trunk.

I shorted the SCS connector in the trunk and the "Navi System" diagnostic failed the "FI-ECU" and "Meter". The microphone is non-responsive in the diagnostic mode. I found that the individual F-CAN and B-CAN tests fail.

I'm interested in any suggestions for where to look next!

 

Word for word that is the exact problem I started having with my 2005 Accord about a year ago... Eventually it stopped booting up entirely. Dealership wanted to charge $400 just to look at it.

Still haven't figured out what the problem is.

 

Kantalias or brysonite,

Where did you find this testing method, in the shop manual? If so, tell me the section and/or the page number.

 

PA,

Not sure but look at 22-435, and 22-480?

 

I must have a different manual than poorman, I don't have a page 22-435 or 22-480 (section 22 ends at 22-430). In my 2003-2005 service manual, first edition 8/2004, the diagnosis procedure begins on page 22-402 describing how to enter the diagnostic menu screen by shorting a connector in the trunk (which I did) or holding menu, map/guide, and cancel simultaneously.

I think I've found the solution to my problem but I didn't post back yet because I'm waiting to be sure. After convincing myself that the problem is in the navigation unit I found this thread which describes how Alpine electronics is the navigation unit OEM and will repair it: Accord '04 - Freeze up problem w/ Navigation System - Page 3 - Honda Forum : Honda and Acura Car Forums. I called their OEM service group (800-832-4101) and based on the reference number that's on a sticker on the navigation unit they said they can service it. They now charge $370 (the thread I linked above cites some lower prices from 4-5 years ago). I sent the unit in last week, they received it on Wednesday, and have a 5-7 business day turn around. I'll post back after I have results to share.

 

A member on here was given the lower repair price of $158 last month on May 14, 2012 by Alpine. They told him effective May 14, 2012, the price increased to $358.

https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...-issues-47500/

 

That appropriately matches my typical luck. Nothing catching 126% price hike for being to lazy to diagnose the issue for a few months. Oh, well.

I did pay an additional $12 for 2-day return shipping instead of ground.

 

I got my navigation unit back from Alpine a week and a day after I sent it in. It works like it did when it was brand new. Here are the notes they included in the box:


After replacing the main board and the DVD drive I'm not sure what's left from the original navigation unit: the case, a few connectors, and the fan, I suppose. The note about a "countermeasure" for the disc mechanism involving a "bracket" and "spring nut" is interesting. Maybe Alpine has determined that the DVD drive isn't adequately vibration damped.

Anyway, all's well and I would recommend Alpine's service.

 

Thank you for coming back with an answer

 

I have exactly the same problem with a 2005 Honda Accord EX V6 - constant reboots, GPS positioning errors upon reboot, or a blank screen with no reaction from the console buttons. I am disappointed that apparently widespread defect hasn't been recalled.

I'd like to try the Alpine Electronics fix. Given the interlinked functions of HVAC and audio system with the navi screen, can we get a short description or a picture of what exactly has to be removed from where, for shipment and repair to Alpine?