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Updating Sat Nav 981

Joejoshem

New member
I have a 981S - and love the car!
Its a 2013 car and my only frustration is that the sat nav maps are getting out of date. Does anyone know if you can get an upgrade - my OPC said should be something this year but wasn't very convincing.....
 
I've been going through a prolonged discussion with my OPC on this for several months. According to the Tequipment site there is an update available to the MY 2019 data (part no 997 044 909 60), although in the description of the part it still says 2016 map data. My OPC has recently acquired the discs for this, but the Porsche internal system doesn't yet allow them to install them on my car. I've escalated several times and the best I can do is be told that the Porsche system might get updated in March to enable the install. Currently if they look up the latest version of maps that are installable on my car, it says 2016, and even if I ask them to install the 2019 data, it will just install the 2016 stuff. Bonkers. From an earlier thread, the MY 2019 data set appears to have a map file dated Feb 2018, and I have asked my OPC to confirm the date of the map file on their discs.

 
I'd be interested to hear if you do manage to get any map upgrades, I've previously asked my OPC and been told there is nothing more recent available for my 2015 car but they did kindly update the PCM software for free.

Dealers knowledge seems to be lacking on this as I've also been asking about Online services so that I could get live traffic updates but neither the local or supplying OPC seemed to know the actual process.

 
By coincidence, the only previous registered keeper of my car is David Metcalf, Head of Customer Strategy and Customer Experience at Porsche Cars GB. I've just written to him pointing out my poor customer experience in this area and requesting his help to sort it out. I have made it clear that I see this as a Porsche issue, not an OPC one. Not holding my breath but I'll report any progress. I've sent it as a written letter because they seem to be less avoidable than email, and don't tend to be intercepted by customer diversion software, but it might take a while to get a reply.

 
I paid around £500 a year ago for upgrade of satnav along with 4 yr service and two tyres it was £3400!,

and I didn’t noyice any difference in the satnav after

felt a bit of a sucker

won’t be doing that again 🤣

 
Brian, Keith, Dylan - thank you all for your replies. I think £500 to update software is daylight robbery. I agree that this is a Porsche UK matter rather than one for local OPC so will be interested to see how the centre respond. I'd have thought it would be good customer relations!

 
Richard_Hamilton said:
Latest maps:
Are those maps yours Richard? If so where did you get them and how much please? I'd like to update my 2015 maps but not prepared to pay stupid money.

Having said that it's easy to justify having a Garmin or TomTom with lifetime updates for ease of planning and following holiday routes.

 
Yes, they are mine. To update the maps, you have to enter an activation code into the PCM with a PIWIS2/3 before loading the map data from DVDs onto the hard drive. It takes about 2 1/2 hours. I'm in Maidenhead, Berkshire, so if you are local drop me a PM with your email address if you are interested.

 
Richard_Hamilton said:
Yes, they are mine. To update the maps, you have to enter an activation code into the PCM with a PIWIS2/3 before loading the map data from DVDs onto the hard drive. It takes about 2 1/2 hours. I'm in Maidenhead, Berkshire, so if you are local drop me a PM with your email address if you are interested.
Thanks very much for the offer to help Richard, I'm in the Isle of Man so not on your doorstep!

I might get a PIWIS or Durametric at some point though - be useful for lots of things. Thanks again.

 
Richard, how does the activation code get generated? Is that the same as the "licence key" that the OPC have indicated they can't generate for my car, or have I misunderstood?

 
Basically, when you buy a licence (Part number 997.044.909.60) it comes with software update disks, and a license key. The dealer enters the key into the online PIWIS system, along with the vehicle VIN, and it generates an activation (enabling) code. This is then entered into the PCM with the PIWIS tester, and the map data is then loaded onto the hard disk. I'm surprised that dealers can't generate the codes, as other people can.

 
Richard. That’s fascinating. Are the maps much different, and what did the disks cost? Did you get them from an OPC? Thanks. Tony.

 
I can't honestly say I know what the differences are between 2015 and "MY2019" (2018) maps in terms of additional roads, as I don't have a PCM of any sort. The database files on the 2015 disk date back to February 2015, and on the 2018 disk back to February 2018. The disks aren't expensive, but they are part of the workshop equipment, so aren't sold via the parts counter.

 
Hi Richard,

I know this post was from 2 years ago but I have same problem with wanting to update maps.

Could I DM you?

Cheers

Mark

 
By all means Mark. However.....

The latest map release was in December 2021, but there is a technical issue with PCM3.0 and early PCM3.1 systems. When you have it set to auto-zoom (default) the maps disappear at the 1.5km zoom level. I don't know if it has been resolved yet.

I am no longer doing map updates. I stopped doing it when Covid hit, for obvious reasons. It also gave me a good excuse to quit. It was OK at first, but after 10 or 15 it got a bit tiresome. With the new map data increasing from 4 DVDs to 5 it must take even longer, and the thought of sitting in a cold garage waiting for the disks to load became less and less appealing. There are now folks who have worked out how to activate the maps using a USB stick, so eliminating the need for a PIWIS tester. Here are a couple: [link]https://automotivecoding.com/?i=3[/url]

https://www.satnavishop.co.uk/porsche-32-c.asp

 
Just installed the 2022 maps myself using satnavishop.co.uk. Worked fine. No errors, took 1h 20 mins in total. £129. A much faster, lower cost, more convenient and less error-prone method than using OPCs in my experience.

 
I am undecided about this. I have always used car built in satnavs. Since Apple bought TomTom I have always used Apple maps. It now also (like ways) warns of speed cameras and notified accidents or issues with roads as well as allowing users tolog identified issues.

Bluetooth integration as well I can play through the car and play music through my phone into the car.

 
Hi

I'm very interested in the satnavishop update.

What I'm unsure about is do I need to keep the engine running for hours while the update takes place as the pcm displays "Only short term operation possible with engine off"

I'd be grateful for any advice.

Thanks

David

 
Whenever I did updates, I just connected a charger and switched the ignition on, as it says in the Porsche Technical Bulletin. As time passes, some devices power down, but the PCM stays live throughout the process.

 

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