[mrfreddie]

I have a problem with the infotainment system in my recently purchased mazda3.
Compass & GPS are not working.
The navigation screen always shows the same geo coordinates (seems to be fixed at the address of the dealer I purchased the vehicle from) and the compass always points to the north.

I brought my to the dealer to have this issue looked into.
My complaints were dismissed.
The technician told that I had to buy $400 to activate GPS antenna, which I do not believe is true.
I suspect that my GPS antenna is either faulty or just disconnected.

So, I have a question for those who did not purchase the navigation software:
Do your GPS coordinates (on the compass/navigation screen) get updated as you drive? Does your compass show proper direction?

Thnaks

 

[split]

It should work. Find another dealer and claim warranty. Also, if you like to dig by yourself, you can check the wire connections on gps sensor. Sensor is located below the dashboard mid speaker grid.

 

[zero_gravity]

The only thing you have to buy is the SD card with the maps. That's only for the GPS, the compass should work regardless. This is also in the owner's manual. Shove that in front of their faces. If that doesn't work, contact corporate.

I smell a scam, the antenna is not an optional item. I'm not even sure if there is one....

 

[mrfreddie]

Thanks!

I actually bought a SD with maps (on e-bay for $85). It works - the software loads with no problems, I can see maps and even calculate a route. To be 100% sure everything is in order I even downloaded "Mazda Toolbox" software to verify my SD card and it checked OK showing as being paired with my VIN#.

The problem is the navigation map is stuck at the default location in San Antonio TX. When I go to GPS the sub-menu, it says "0 satellites found".
So, to me it is clearly a problem with the vehicle - possibly a faulty or disconnected GPS antenna.
Interestingly enough the geo coordinates are stuck at the address of the dealer I bought the car from - as if it worked when the car got delivered to the dealer's lot and then for whatever reason it stopped.

When going for the service to the dealer, I wanted to simplify the situation and skip the SD part, as they frown upon accessories purchased online.
I reasoning is based on to the assumption that what is shown on the screen when the SD card is not present (compass & the geo coordinates) should work.
I just wanted to get proof from an actual mazda owner that this is in fact how it works.
So that, when I visit a different dealer I would have more weapons to fight my case.

I have owned this car only for a little over a week and I am already very unhappy with my treatment I am getting from my local dealers (yes, it NJ) - both the actual car buying experience and the service.

 

[split]

I don't have navigation sd card, but still gps works. Proof is attached.

 

[Back2Mazda]

I can concur with split. I did not purchase GPS with the car... but my antenna / compass still worked as shown above. I have since purchased the SD card to get full nav maps.

 

[mrfreddie]

Thank you!

 

[ragex]

Thank you!

hi.. I'm having this same problem. Were you able to get this fixed?

 

[MrBen]

On my 2018 Mazda 3 GT compass will show, when the GPS connector is unplugged (back of the radio) or SD card is missing or not fully pushed in.

Rectangular blue multi-pin connector 5 mm wide by 10 mm long ----> GPS Antenna

 

[Rodent]

My 2016 with factory NAV locked up at an intersection near my house when it was about a year old. I took it in to the dealer. I believe that a reboot unlocked it (Mute+NAV+Back for 10 seconds), but they installed the latest software version while the car was there. Haven't had any issues since, but I rarely use the NAV.

 

[jofralao]

Hi, I solved it upgradig my firmware. from 55.00.735 to 59.00.441.

hope this helps.

 

[beyoung91911]

Hi,

I have same issues on 2016 Mazda 3. Without sdcard, the compass showing dashes only on Longitute /latitude. If I insert SD card for navigation, stay on same spot.
I have tried to upgrade firmware from 55.00.753 to 55.00.760 and 59.00.441 still no luck. I tried to remove the battery for several minute or reset by back +nav+mute still no luck.
I've removed gps sensor and put it back (not really sure how to tell if the sensor is bad). Any suggestion? really appreciate.

 

[RockTheWorld]

Have a 2016 Mazda 3. Did not get the Nav card when purchased. I noticed the compass stopped working 3 months ago but did nothing. Just got a Nav card from Amazon, put it in, nav worked but stuck in San Antonio TX. Satellite GPS connections showed none.

I figured the GPS was broken, or the system was crashed. Before taking to the dealer I took the negative cable off the battery, waited about a minute, and reconnected to re-boot the car. Started the car and compass worked. Put in the CD nav card and works great.

Re-boot the car before you take to the dealer if the compass is locked (north heading).

 

[tco006]

On my 2018 Mazda 3 GT compass will show, when the GPS connector is unplugged (back of the radio) or SD card is missing or not fully pushed in.

Rectangular blue multi-pin connector 5 mm wide by 10 mm long ----> GPS Antenna

Where can the cable be seen from?

I removed the vents to view under the monitor but nothing is viewable. I removed the CD player a couple days ago and didn't notice a blue connector.

 

[MrBen]

Where can the cable be seen from?

I removed the vents to view under the monitor but nothing is viewable. I removed the CD player a couple days ago and didn't notice a blue connector.

The back of the CMU

 

[jeffd]

Have a 2016 Mazda 3. Did not get the Nav card when purchased. I noticed the compass stopped working 3 months ago but did nothing. Just got a Nav card from Amazon, put it in, nav worked but stuck in San Antonio TX. Satellite GPS connections showed none.

I figured the GPS was broken, or the system was crashed. Before taking to the dealer I took the negative cable off the battery, waited about a minute, and reconnected to re-boot the car. Started the car and compass worked. Put in the CD nav card and works great.

Re-boot the car before you take to the dealer if the compass is locked (north heading).

Removing the negative cable worked for me. After it started up Nav was able to find the satellites.

 

[IvanCG]

Hi,

I have same issues on 2016 Mazda 3. Without sdcard, the compass showing dashes only on Longitute /latitude. If I insert SD card for navigation, stay on same spot.
I have tried to upgrade firmware from 55.00.753 to 55.00.760 and 59.00.441 still no luck. I tried to remove the battery for several minute or reset by back +nav+mute still no luck.
I've removed gps sensor and put it back (not really sure how to tell if the sensor is bad). Any suggestion? really appreciate.

I have the same issue on my mazda 3 2016. I have not been able to solve it. Even I tried all possibilities listed in this forum..
Any other ideas?

 

[ecucanada]

After upgrading the sd card via Mazada Toolbox, and then disconnect and reconnect the battery. The GPS problem where it was stuck in Houston Texas was resolved!!!! So Happy. Thanks for the battery trick listed above, as the problem still persist even the SD card was updated.

 

[chekleto]

My 2016 with factory NAV locked up at an intersection near my house when it was about a year old. I took it in to the dealer. I believe that a reboot unlocked it (Mute+NAV+Back for 10 seconds), but they installed the latest software version while the car was there. Haven't had any issues since, but I rarely use the NAV.

This is what helped in my case also - 3 bottons reboot of the infotainment. The GPS function was messed up after changing the battery with a new one.

 

[CanEngineer]

Remove negative battery cable for 10 minutes, and reconnect. Had same issue with '16CX5 and '18Mazda3.

Rebooting did not work
Reconnecting GPS antenna did not work

It has been suggested the CMU can get into this state (an out of memory condition) when syncing too many phone contacts. I can't confirm.