Alpine iLX-107 Wireless Carplay inaccurate GPS readings in Apple Maps, Google Maps and Waze
Solution for Alpine ILX-107 Head Unit
Background: When using wireless carplay, the head unit in the vehicle is required to use the vehicle GPS for location data, as reported by many users in this thread.
In vehicles where wireless carplay is being used AND the head unit has a connection to the OBD data from the vehicle, so that the unit can show RPM, Gas Mileage, Error Indicators, etc, then Alpine iLX-107 Wireless Carplay may provide inaccurate GPS readings in Apple Maps, Google Maps and Waze. Often the GPS location displayed appears to be delayed by 10-30 seconds, or the location may appear 50-100 feet from the actual current location. This will result in the maps application constantly doing a re-route, or the map showing the vehicle in an inaccurate location.
Solution(s): The issue can be solved by either 1) Turning off OBD functionality in the head unit OR 2) Setting OBD to only activate when the gauges are displayed OR 3) Not using wireless carplay, instead use carplay via USB
In the Alpine ILX-107, the OBD functionality is accessed through the iDataLink module, read up on it in the online manual http://support.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/OM_iLX-107_EN.pdf
Instructions for addressing in the Alpine ILX-107 Head Unit:
- Press Home Button on Head Unit
- Select Gauges
- Select the Settings Button
- Set OBD to either disabled, or on-demand. If it is set to Always On, it will create substantial issues with the ability of the head unit to send accurate GPS settings to Apple Car Play. Read up in the manual what you miss out on by changing this setting, very little for most drivers.
The other option is to plug the phone in to the head unit via USB. In many cases CarPlay will then use the phone's GPS data, and the issue described above will not occur.
Further research needed: It is possible that when the head unit is attempting to both provide GPS data wirelessly to the phone AND simultaneously read the OBD data for mileage, rpm's, fuel efficiency, etc, that the system is overloaded and thus sends delayed or inaccurate GPS data as a result. Above data has been provided to Alpine, however no information on rather a firmware fix is coming.
iPhone XR