I recently had a pioneer Avic-D3 put into my car. It went into a 2008 BASE Model 350z. The GPS is not 100%; the cursor doesn't have a constant, smooth motion, it sort of hops a little bit across the screen. Also, the compass doesn't work.. pretty much the GPS part of this unit appears to be pretty messed up. My installer told me it is due to the 2008's needing a special unit installed called a CAN adapter (or CAM?), either this needs to be installed (apparently it's a $200 unit, yet I can't find it anywhere online) or he says he needs to directly wire into the transmission.

Is this information correct? Has anyone had trouble with this type of unit being installed into a 2008 model only? Again, he told me that this is ONLY with the 2008's.. but I just don't get why anything different would have gone into the 08 from the 07 in this arena.

Thank you for any responses that can give me anything!

 

Go to another installer quick. First hand I believe nissan has not started using a CanBus system. This is usually found in Chrysler vehicles. As far as the symptons it sounds like he did not or could not find the VSS wire. The VSS wire in our vehicles is right underneath the radio, in a white box called the A/C control module. Hope this helps

 

Agreed. ^^^^

I think you need a new installer a LOT more than a Can bus adapter.

First I'd be highly suspect that he hasn't connected the VSS wire correctly/(at all?). Second, I'd be curious as to what kind of signal you're getting from the GPS antenna? How many sats it's locked on to? Signal strength, etc?

From your description of the symptoms, I think you've got an overall sketchy GPS install that's lacking mostly skill... not another adapter.