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Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:11 pm
by zedwheels
Is there a separate GPS Ariel built into the car for the satnav? I bought a new disc off rusty who produces these discs and I am having problems with my satnav! Every now and then mine loses its position and is in a completely different location to where I actually am!
I sent a message to Rusty and he says that the problem is either the unit or the GPS Ariel??
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:18 pm
by markeg
Yep, sounds like the aerial. I had the issue - simple change. Wrote a how-to on the Alpina forum (
link)
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 9:21 pm
by markplant
Antenna are prone to failing it's in the plastic area above rear view mirror
Replacement are on eBay fairly cheap
You could try a reset on system in car by disconnecting battery for a while this worked on mine
Where are you based as have a GPS antenna that I didn't fit as the reset worked
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 10:15 pm
by zedwheels
Oh thanks for this guys I was hoping that if it was a problem with the car it would be an easy fix! markplant I am based in South Wales and would be interested in your unused part, what are you proposing?
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 10:33 pm
by pvr
They are about a tenner from eBay.
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 10:43 pm
by markeg
Just for completeness, this is what I wrote back in 2011 when I had the issue:
markeg on the Alpina Forum wrote:Just in case anyone else gets the same issue...
I've been having issues over the past few months with the SatNav on the roadster (a MkIV system), in that it keeps losing satellite lock, and when driving on 'new' roads (such as the A46) it would lose the location. Only a full reset (unplugging the battery for 15 minutes minimum) seemed to get the signal back - driving in Bristol whilst the SatNav reckoned I was in Fareham was a bit surreal!
Spoke to BMW, had the car in a few times and they diagnosed a faulty cable feed. They replaced it (luckily under warranty) and things worked fine... for a week.
I've read through a few forums, and many seemed to point at the GPS sensor. I searched for one on auction sites, and after discarding the dodgy looking ones from the far east, went for one from the US
Took all of 5 minutes to replace the old sensor, just a bit of care moving the plastic roof-light unit out to get at the sensor location, and a bit of fiddling to get the connector disengaged.
Wow, what a difference! Full set of satellite lock, all the time. And at only £20 all in, a cheap an easy fix (
ebay link). Could not recommend it enough! Very happy now, can put the old Halfords' maps away
Satnav issue!
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 12:30 am
by srhutch
Is the sat nav different in the Alpina then
Satnav issue!
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 12:47 pm
by markeg
srhutch wrote:Is the sat nav different in the Alpina then
Nope. But it's in a nicer place
Satnav issue!
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 12:49 pm
by PerryGunn
Satnav issue!
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 1:15 pm
by zedwheels
Found one on ebay for just under a tenner.
It comes with a 5mtr. cable,
have you got to thread this through to the unit?
I'm hoping not that complicated to replace.
Is there any instructions about or will it be self explanatory once I have it.
Satnav issue!
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 4:04 pm
by srhutch
Find one with a short lead as there is a joint within six inches of the factory antenna.
Either that shorten the lead at the antenna end.
Satnav issue!
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 4:49 pm
by zedwheels
srhutch wrote:Find one with a short lead as there is a joint within six inches of the factory antenna.
Either that shorten the lead at the antenna end.
OK that sounds like a simpler option!
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:33 pm
by zedwheels
Hi markeg, I had delivery of a GPS receiver from ebay and went to check out the location behind the internal mirror but couldn't see anything there! So I rang Sytners and they have said that their system says its located by the disc unit!! I am confused now, did your Alpina have the GPS inside the plastic casing by the rear view mirror?
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:17 pm
by srhutch
Ultimately yes the lead goes to the DVD rive in the rear centre console.
If you don't want to run the antenna to the front then there is no reason why you cant locate it at the top of the centre rear console and just disconnect the old one.
Satnav issue!
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2016 3:46 pm
by markeg
The lead runs through to the light unit above the rearview mirror in mine, and there was an f-connector in there so replacement was simple - but IIRC cj10jeeper mentioned that some cars have the antennae behind the dashboard?
