Nav/GPS issues

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 5:26 pm

Hi all,

Picked up my new car this week but the nav doesn't seem to be working. The GPS doesn't want to lock on a location and I thinks I'm about 500 miles away from where I am. The map doesn't move as I drive either so I suspect there's an issue with the GPS module.

I'm told the windscreen was replaced a couple of months ago which could be the culprit. Has anyone else come across such an issue? Is there some kind of configuration I can do to recalibrate or does it sound like a dreaded hardware fault?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 9:53 am

Usually it’s the aerial that’s the fault, either it has gone u/s or the connector has come adrift...hardware failure is rare...

Have you left it long enough to get a fix, ie stationary engine running, clear view of sky all around for 20 minutes...

If it’s been not used for a very long time it takes time to acquire first fix...

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 11:07 am

Thanks for the response. I've car the car on the road for several hours and no change. Sometimes thinks I'm out in the Atlantic, other times im in Chorley for some reason.

I'll pick up a new antenna from eBay as they're only around a tenner and see if that works.

Cheers
Greg

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 12:06 pm

Can anyone tell me if it's a Fakra cable I'm looking for? Like this...

Car GPS Active Antenna Aerial Fakra Male Plug Connector Cable for Dash DVD Head Unit Stereos by HitCar (Fakra Plug) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072L16KYH/ ... UBbNVZ8W3S

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 1:13 pm

greg81 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 06, 2018 11:07 am Thanks for the response. I've car the car on the road for several hours and no change. Sometimes thinks I'm out in the Atlantic, other times im in Chorley for some reason.

I'll pick up a new antenna from eBay as they're only around a tenner and see if that works.

Cheers
Greg

weird that its alternating between two common positions..sadly with this technology a swap out of the aerial is the only option before replacing the nav unit..try it and see..

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:04 pm

I've ordered one which should be here tomorrow. Are there any guides on removing the nav unit on here? I've had a search but not finding anything so far.

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:37 pm

So have you looked to see if the aerial is connected, by pulling out the dome light.
Also remove the left sun visor and pull away the window trim to see if cable has been damaged.

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 6:03 pm

flybobbie wrote: ↑Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:37 pm So have you looked to see if the aerial is connected, by pulling out the dome light.
Also remove the left sun visor and pull away the window trim to see if cable has been damaged.

I've not tried anything at all yet. Complete novice when it comes to nav and I've only had the e89 a couple of days so grateful for any advice

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sun Oct 07, 2018 7:44 pm

I've replaced the GPS antenna today and unfortunately I'm still in Stoke (which I'm not). I've got the battery disconnected just now so will leave it another 10 mins then let the car run for 20 mins and see how that goes.

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Sun Oct 07, 2018 8:00 pm

Back to the drawing board on this one im afraid

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Tue Oct 09, 2018 8:30 pm

Did a little testing this evening and got some odd results.

So first of all I went for a drive and can see that lat/lng is changing as I move. Oddly when I drive west is thinks I'm going east, and driving north it thinks I'm going south.

The map moving and coords changing would suggest the GPS antenna is working somewhat, however I can't explain the inverted tracking. Should there be some kind of indicator on screen showing the GPS signal being received?

Still about 250 miles from my actual location

Determined with this one!

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Tue Oct 09, 2018 8:52 pm

Managed to get into the service menu and it looks like there's still an antenna issue...

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:55 pm

Progress!

I tried the new antenna again with the service menu option and within 30 seconds GPS status had gone from "no signal" to "3d fix"

Currently still no improvement to the situation however I found this great thread in which a guy clearly explains the "almanac" so tomorrow I'll take the car for a good long run and hopefully I'll get data reporting for the available satellites.

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=82904

I will report back!

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:54 am

Big improvement this morning. My correct location was locked quickly this morning and the map followed my moves pretty accurately.

Still getting a false value for Almanac but will keep an eye on it over the next few days.

Don't think there'll be any interest but I'll write up all the steps I took to resolve this as I couldn't find any useful guides anywhere!

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 5:51 pm

greg81 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:54 am Big improvement this morning. My correct location was locked quickly this morning and the map followed my moves pretty accurately.

Still getting a false value for Almanac but will keep an eye on it over the next few days.

Don't think there'll be any interest but I'll write up all the steps I took to resolve this as I couldn't find any useful guides anywhere!

How did you get to that service menu?

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com

Nav/GPS issues

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