PCM3 or PCM3.1 navigation resetting is a problem for many Porsche owners. In a moment you will read about the three main reasons why this happens. You will also find out what you need to deal with so the unit works properly again. Just as smoothly as your car’s engine.
Freezing on the logo, PCM3 and PCM3.1 resetting
As we have already mentioned a common problem in Porsche cars after 2010 is the repeated switching off and on of the navigation unit. Resets may be constant, e.g. every 30 seconds, or variable. Sometimes you manage to get into the menu, and other times you only see the logo. Also frustrating is the sound of the drive starting up every time (you may even think that such constant starting is not good for it).
3 main reasons for the Porsche navigation resetting fault
Before we get into the details, here is a list of possible reasons:
- damaged drive
- damaged navigation software (firmware, as it is commonly known)
- hardware fault (main board issue)
40GB / 100GB hard drive diagnosis
All versions of PCM3 and the early PCM3.1 units have a 40GB hard drive with a PATA interface. In newer PCM3.1 units you will find 100GB with a SATA interface. Once you have checked the condition of the media and it turns out to be faulty, it has to be replaced with a new one (but that is only one part of the repair process).
Faulty device firmware
If, after removing the drive, the radio still resets, it is possible that the software is damaged. We can confirm this on site by carrying out an expert assessment before repair.
Damaged main board
This very broad term, “main board issue”, covers a whole range of different problems. Overvoltage, burning, short circuit, water damage, mechanical damage – we deal with all of these when repairing these navigation units.
Repair at OEMatic vs other workshops
For Porsche and the PCM3 and PCM3.1 systems, we can:
- repair hardware faults
- bring software-damaged radios back to life
- replace the faulty drive with a new one (with an automotive index – working in sub-zero temperatures, just as the factory intended)
but above all, every repair we carry out means the unit does not need to be coded to the car.
This means that once you receive the repaired navigation unit, you fit it back into the car and forget about the need for coding.
This is the main difference between repairing Porsche PCM3 / PCM3.1 navigation at OEMatic and at other workshops.
