GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Navigation System Components

The navigation system contains the following components:

    • Navigation display head (NDH)
    • Navigation module (NAV)
    • Global positioning system (GPS) antenna

The export navigation system (w/UE7, UE9) contains the following additional components:

    • Vehicle information communication system (VICS) microprocessor card (w/UE9)
    • VICS optical/microwave beacon antenna (w/UE9)
    • Four TV antennae integrated into the rear window glass (w/UE7)
    • VICS FM antenna integrated into the rear glass (w/UE9)
    • TV antenna module to control antenna selection (w/UE7)
    • Two TV antenna amplifiers (w/UE7) (DeVille only)
    • Auxiliary RCA video jacks (w/UE7)

Navigation Display Head (NDH)

This component acts as the operator interface for the audio system, provides the data input from the operator to the navigation system and provides navigation information to the operator via the display screen. The NDH is located in the center of the instrument panel. The NDH provides the following:

    • A display screen. All navigation, audio and TV functions are displayed on this screen.
       - Soft key buttons on the display to allow selection from menus and to operate the navigation system, the audio system and the (export) TV system.
       - The navigation system map with routing information, displayed on this the NDH screen.
       - Audio system options and controls, displayed on the NDH screen.
    • The following hard push-buttons located on the left side of the display:
       - MAP/REPEAT -- Displays the map in use from the CD player in the navigation module (NAV)
       - PLAN ROUTE -- Initiates the route planning program incorporated in the NAV
       - ZOOM IN/OUT -- Allows the operator to change the scale of the map
       - NAV MENU -- Displays the navigation system menu on the screen
    • The following hard push-buttons located on the right side of the display screen to control audio system and the (export) TV system:
       - MENU -- Displays the audio and (export) TV selection menu screen
       - TUNE/SEEK -- Allows the system to tune to the next pre-programed station or to seek stations in the area
       - ADJUST -- Displays the audio and (export) TV adjust screen

Navigation Module (NAV)

The navigation module (NAV) is located in the rear compartment, below the left side of the rear shelf.

This component controls the navigation system and accepts data from the following:

    • The navigation display head (NDH), which provides the button and function requests from the operator
    • The global positioning system (GPS) antenna, which provides the vehicle position information from the satellite system
    • The CD ROM, which provides the map data for comparison to the GPS input and for display on the NDH
    • The VICS card (export), which accepts inputs from the VICS antenna to aid in route planning

Navigation Module (NAV) Operation

CD ROMs must be installed in the navigation module (NAV). Insert a map CD as follows:

  1. Slide the CD ROM port cover up to open the CD ROM slot.
  2. Grasp the existing CD by the exposed edge and pull straight out to remove the disc.
  3. Hold the new CD by pinching the edges between thumb and finger. Do not touch the unlabeled side of the CD disc.
  4. Orient the new CD with the labeled side up.
  5. Insert the CD straight into the slot in the NAV.
  6. Close the CD ROM port cover by the cover sliding down.
  7. • If a CD is inserted upside-down, or if the wrong type of CD is inserted, a NO CD INSTALLED message appears on the navigation display head (NDH) screen.
    • If the CD slot cover is not closed properly, a CD COVER OPEN message appears on the NDH screen.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Antenna

The GPS antenna is attached to the bottom of the rear shelf and can be accessed through the rear compartment.

The GPS antenna is powered through the same coaxial cable used to send the signals to the NAV.

TV and VICS Antenna (Export, w/UE7, UE9)

These several antennae are conductive traces placed on the inside of the rear window glass.

TV Antenna Module (Export, w/UE7, UE9)

The TV antenna module is located behind the trim on the right rear side of the passenger compartment.

The TV antenna module is used by the navigation display head (NDH) to automatically select the antenna combination that provides the strongest TV signal to the NDH.

The TV antenna module also provides the VICS FM signal to the VICS card (export, w/UE9) in the navigation module (NAV).

TV Antenna Amplifiers (Export, w/UE7)

The TV antenna amplifiers are mounted behind the trim on each side of the rear window.

The TV antenna amplifiers are powered by the TV antenna module through the same coaxial cable used to carry their signals to the TV antenna module. They are attached to two of the four TV antenna trace patterns in the rear window glass.

Auxiliary RCA Video Jacks (Export, w/UE7)

The auxiliary RCA video jacks, used to attach a remote video device, are located at the rear of the center console.

These connections may be used to provide audio and video input from a video player or camera to the navigation display head (NDH).

VICS Card (Export, w/UE9)

The vehicle information communication system (VICS) card, an export only dealer-installed option, is installed inside the navigation module (NAV).

The VICS card uses signals from the optical/microwave beacon antenna and the rear glass VICS antenna via the TV antenna module to convey routing information to the NAV. The NAV either revises planned routing or relays the VICS information to the operator through the screen of the NDH and the voice guidance system.

VICS Optical/Microwave Beacon Antenna (Export, w/UE9)

The vehicle information communication system (VICS) optical/microwave beacon antenna (export, w/UE9), is a dealer--installed option. The antenna, mounted on the right side of the instrument panel, picks up signals through the front window glass.

A coaxial cable carries the power to and signals from this antenna to the navigation module (NAV).

Audio System Interface

The navigation display head (NDH) controls the audio system by sending key-pressed messages to the remote radio and displaying audio information. The NDH does not control the audio system, but only acts as the operator interface.