Porsche Communication management System

I have recently taken delivery of a 2001 (51 plate) 996 Targa with the PCM option. Amongst the work that was undertaken during the PDI, I had a new battery fitted. When I collected the car, I inserted the Sat Nav disc and having read the PCM manual, it says the system takes 15 minutes to 're-initialize' following a battery change. However, after 2 hours of driving, the screen continues to tell me it's re-initializing and the 2 lights under the dvd drive both flash together (I think is should just be the bottom light). Everything else on the PCM works normall, but I can't get the Sat Nav to start up. Has anyone got any ideas to help?

Mine takes ages as well. Might be better to let it initialise while you are stationary - seems much quicker when I do that. Also seems to have to reinitialise quite frequently in mid-journey - I think there are regular misreads from the disk. Not too impressed with the 996s satnav and don't use it much - phone does a better job.

dij999 Did both lights onder the disc drive slot flash together at the same time? If they did, perhaps I'm being too impatient and just need to let it take it's time!

I can't answer your question about the two flashing lights, but Dave is correct that you should be stationary to re-calibrate the PCM. Here's what the manual says: Adjusting (calibrating) PCM navigation unit General The PCM navigation unit must be calibrated after maintenance work or commissioning. Calibration is the prerequisite for exact route guidance. The following components of the PCM navigation unit must be calibrated or initialised: "” GPS receiver: After an interruption in the power supply (terminal 30), the installed GPS receiver loses its so-called almanac. The almanac stores the satellite orbits and ensures fast location of the individual satellites when the system is started. "” Distance sensor: The distance sensor transmits the distance travelled to the PCM navigation unit. The distance signal changes if the circumference of the tyre changes (e.g. tyre change). This modification must be calibrated by the PCM navigation unit afterwards. Procedure after commissioning: Please observe the sequence! "” Switch on the PCM with a free panoramic view for approx. 20 minutes (to load GPS almanac). "” Drive on a motorway if possible at a speed greater than 60 km/h for a distance of approx. 50 km (calibration of the distance measurement). "” Drive approx. 10 km in an urban area and take frequent turn-offs. Stop for approx. 10 seconds occasionally (calibration of the gyroscope). "” Switch on the PCM navigation unit for approx. one hour with the vehicle horizontal (temperature compensation of the gyroscope). Calibration is necessary after the following maintenance work: "” After changing a tyre "” After the power supply has been interrupted Procedure after changing a tyre "” Drive on a motorway if possible at a speed greater than 60 km/h for a distance of approx. 50 km. (Calibration of the distance measurement). Procedure after the power supply has been interrupted: "” Switch on the PCM with a free panoramic view for approx. 20 minutes (to load GPS almanac).

What a palaver! The satnav on my bike takes 20 seconds maximum to initialise every time no matter what, as does the satnav on my phone (which I use instead of the C4s PCM as it's so unreliable - and out of date). Thanks all the same Richard for a complete description of the process. Dave J

At least you could use the screen of the old PCM to stick a new sat nav unit onto! Shame all new sat navs have such small screens!

Strange you should say that - I bought a cheapo (embarrasses me to say - a Binatone!) very flat and total size almost same as PCM screen and was fixed with velcro but now phone does job so well it's not required. BTW even Binatone never took more than 2-3 minutes to orientate itself even if not used for a while and had even been switched off in a completely different place and so had to look anew for satellites.

I have PCM2 in my car and to my surprise I am finding it quite good (accepting the absence of post code entry) I am even finding the phone works well and callers can hear me which was not the case when I had a 997. I have recently installed the later updates which has made a big difference. I also have other sat/nats but do not feel let down by the PCM2 Just my rambling on a Sunday morning

PCM2 is an improvement on PCM1 no doubt. But a satnav with no postcode searching in this day and age!? Dave J