Today we start with the basics – we will explain what can happen to you when using a Denso navigation system. This rather old Visteon system is such a frequent visitor at our company that we want to show what breaks and how we deal with it. Read what faults in Ford Denso are worth knowing about.
The good news is that 99% of units can be repaired. The remaining 1% are cases where the radio has been handled by a pseudo workshop and we are unable to repair mechanical faults on the main board – such as torn tracks. But we also have a way to deal with that 1%. What is it? We explain at the end of the post.
What can go wrong in Denso?
1. Stuck entry counter
In short: the user does not know the correct code and enters the wrong one. They are also determined enough to do this 10 times. The result? Even if you enter the correct code now, the radio still will not recognise it. Yes, you can confirm the PIN, but the radio behaves exactly as if you had entered the wrong one – so the screen asking for the code is shown again. The solution? You need to clear the counter of wrong entries, and this is done by programming the Motorola processor. We covered the topic in more detail here.
2. Does not find radio stations
In other words, no tuning. Some people claim it is the fault of a damaged tuner… The cause lies elsewhere and we eliminate it effectively. So effectively that the fault does not return. Read more.
3. Shows only the screen with numbers 1 – 6
This rather frustrating problem can affect you both when you need to enter a code (e.g. you disconnected the battery) and when changing radio stations. No radio affected by this problem has a chance of coming back to you still with this fault. The repair is so effective and well proven that we also do it on site, once a specific day and time have been arranged. We describe the problem here.
4. Faulty GPS reader
Water damage? Or perhaps a failed flashing attempt, i.e. loading the software? These are the two most common situations after which Denso GPS readers come to our workshop.
5. Does not switch on at all – black screen
A fault that is unpleasant enough to prevent you from controlling the air conditioning. Winter and cold air from the vents as well? We probably would not want that, would we? More information in this post.
6. Touch panel does not work (and this is a mechanical fault)
Cracked, crushed or scratched – the repair consists of replacing the touch panel.
7. Touch panel does not respond (and this is not a mechanical fault)
It happens that the screen does not respond even though there are no mechanical faults. That is when the unit needs to be repaired instead of replacing the digitiser (touch panel).
And what about that small percentage of navigation units that cannot be saved? 1% of damaged devices must be repaired by replacing the main board. It is a last resort, but always a way to get a working radio and navigation system in the car again. After all, there is no method for gluing together a broken printed circuit board or reconstructing 50 torn tracks.
