Explorer Navigation Tracking Problem

[gdecamp]

Drove from Long Island NY to Charleston SC the last two days, navigation on the trip down was flawless using A5 card which I purchased in the fall but just started using. Today it got lost several times....sigh. Frustrating.

 

[bruinsfan]

Question from a 2015 Explorer owner.....

Are theses issues more prevalent with the 2011 to 2014 years.... and getting less problematic as time goes on?

I haven't noticed many glitches or problems with the Sync, My Ford Touch, Sirius Radio & Traffic system.

Just curious if an 2015 owners are having many issues...

 

[peterk9]

This thread began January 2013 which is about 2 years after the 5th generation model came out. I had no issue at all with my 2011 Limited. Doing a very quick scroll though various pages of the thread, it almost seems that the models that experienced the issue the most were the ones from 2013 and 2014. Not sure if the progressive software updates had anything to do with that or not.

Peter

 

[gdecamp]

I have a 2011 Limited and have problems. In Florida now and it lost signal for 30min yesterday . Tried everything and finally pulled off the road and shut the engine off and it started to work again. Very frustrating when my iPhone works fine and the explorer is totally lost.

 

[Ont 2013 Sport]

GPS Tracking

Well had my 2013 Sport in for an oil change. Service rep. asked if I was still having issues with the GPS due to winter tires/rims, my response was 'yes'. She asked if I was within the 3% mark, and I said 'yes'. Well got the truck back with the system re-set. Drove from south-eastern Ontario to northern Maine and back....happy to say no issues.

 

[gdecamp]

Another quick note: Drove back from Florida, stopped in Myrtle Beach for a few days then back to Long Island. Not a single issue on the return trip from Florida. Not sure why this is so sporadic, sometimes its flawless sometimes totally lost. Since I shut off the engine and started it above (see my prior post #419 ) no problems at all.

 

[jmr061]

Hot off the press:

Mar 02 2015 6072-2011-2015 Various Vehicles - Global Positioning Satellite Module (GPSM) - Inaccurate Location Or Offset Displayed After Seasonal Tire Change

Some 2011-2015 Vehicles with MFT or MLT and Navigation may display incorrect vehicle position after installing seasonal tires. These inaccuracies will correct/recalibrate over time if tires are within the recommended size. Use Owners Guideto verify proper size, load index, and speed rating. If the tires are not the correct specification for the vehicle, do not perform a repair attempt. If propertires are installed and the concern persists refer to Work Shop Manual, Section415-00 for diagnosis by DTC or symptom. Note: Removing GPSM power for 2 minuteswill clear GPSM calibration and greatly reduce the time it takes for the systemto correct/recalibrate. The system will typically recalibrate within 20 minutesof driving around 40 MPH with a clear view of the sky and a turn performed every few miles with the GPSM power restored.

 

[gdecamp]

That's interesting and I think some have mentioned that in this thread.

Have not changed my tires since I purchased the car and it still breaks. Have to say it is very inconsistent and not every time I take a trip. Sometimes not a single problem other times I can see I am driving across the water or through a forest.

Makes no sense at all....wish there was a pattern.

 

[xyf80]

Well had my 2013 Sport in for an oil change. Service rep. asked if I was still having issues with the GPS due to winter tires/rims, my response was 'yes'. She asked if I was within the 3% mark, and I said 'yes'. Well got the truck back with the system re-set. Drove from south-eastern Ontario to northern Maine and back....happy to say no issues.

Your issue sounds very familiar to what I have. I have a 2015 explorer sport with winter tire, and just had a road trip and experienced the infamous GPS offroad issue. I know reset may fix it temporary, but why winter tire matters to GPS??

 

[xyf80]

Question from a 2015 Explorer owner.....

Are theses issues more prevalent with the 2011 to 2014 years.... and getting less problematic as time goes on?

I haven't noticed many glitches or problems with the Sync, My Ford Touch, Sirius Radio & Traffic system.

Just curious if an 2015 owners are having many issues...

I am 2015 owner, and I had this issue as well. However I had winter tire with ebay TPMS, who knows what is affecting what. Will know more when I switch it back to all season tires.

Advice to Navigation is not to use it, use your phone will be far more better than stock Navigation. Other parts works fine just Navigation is pain in the butt.

 

[xyf80]

Found this, it may fix the issue for all of us.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SATELLITE MODULE (GPSM) - NAVIGATION DISPLAY OFFSET OR INCORRECT POSITION BUILT ON OR BEFORE 1/6/2014

http://www.mkcforum.com/forum/lincoln-mkc-reported-issues/19801-navigation-gps-issue.html

 

[grimloktt]

GPSM update using latest IDS release?

Hello. My explorer's GPS has been showing problem getting vehicle location. TSB 12-11-2 states to "reprogram the GPS to the latest calibration using IDS release 81.04 or higher."

Is this update accomplished via jump drive plugged in below the mysync unit? Thx!

 

[peterk9]

Although I'm not positive, I believe the IDS tool is connect to the vehicles OBD port.
BTW, I have merged your thread with this existing one on the same issue.

Peter

 

[jmr061]

The only thing that ever gets upgraded via the USB is SYNC software. Anything else is always via dealer software and hardware (IDS/VCM)

 

[grimloktt]

Although I'm not positive, I believe the IDS tool is connect to the vehicles OBD port.
BTW, I have merged your thread with this existing one on the same issue.

Peter

Thank you. I guess we'll see if I get a for sure answer from a tech or knowledgeable individual with my inquiry in this thread, although my thread was on how to update the GPS module...not 'I'm having GPS problems...."

 

[grimloktt]

The only thing that ever gets upgraded via the USB is SYNC software. Anything else is always via dealer software and hardware (IDS/VCM)

Thank you, Jason. Do you have any documentation that I could reference with the dealer...to tell them they're being stupid trying to update my GPSM through mysync?

 

[jmr061]

Thank you, Jason. Do you have any documentation that I could reference with the dealer...to tell them they're being stupid trying to update my GPSM through mysync?

No I don't...it is clearly a training issue at the dealer level,

 

[LukerDooker]

No I don't...it is clearly a training issue at the dealer level,

Reference the TSB
TSB 12-11-2 states to "reprogram the GPS to the latest calibration using IDS release 81.04 or higher."

They are not up to snuff telling you otherwise...

 

[maj24]

Hey Andrew!

That's a great question that is unfortunately out of my scope; however, it would be a great suggestion to post on our Ford Social site at www.Social.Ford.com.



LOL I'm glad they were able to see this issue. Let me know how your visit goes!

Rebecca

OK, so I just swapped my all seasons back onto my car and of course the NAV is not tracking properly again. I posted onto the ford social site. It's difficult to understand how this can't be a really easy s/w fix for me to tell my NAV that I just swapped tires and it should go through the relearn phase again.

 

[peterk9]

I swapped OEM/Winter wheels 6 times on my 2011 Explorer and twice now on my MKT and never had any tracking issues. With both vehicles the Winter wheel/tire combinations were well with the 3% maximum diameter difference.

Peter