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Technical No visible satellites

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Technical No visible satellites

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Si902

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Hi all

Driving into work this morning i noticed that i was not picking up any satellites and as a result my position result was showing as BAD, prior to this i could routinely pick up satellites.

i was running RT3 version 5.41 this morning, i have just updated to version 5.5D ( thanks to one of the members of this forum) and hoped that this would kickstart it back into life, however it hasn't.

I suppose the next thing to look at will be the GPS aerial, can anyone point me in the right direction, is it part of the fm radio aerial?

Ta

Si
 
The gps antenna is built into the phone aerial on the roof (the short stubby one). You have to pull down the roof lining to access it.

The wire is routed on the passenger side again above the roof lining. There is a join too which you could check.

I would first pull out your radio and make sure the connector is properly inserted into the headunit. I think it is the green one.

I have spare antennas if if does turn out to be the receiver.
 
I found this diagnostic procedure for the situation where '0' satellites are being received. The first step is to check whether the 'call send' has been activated by mistake and, if so, deactivate it by keying "##21#". This is followed by the 'open sky' check which I guess you have already carried out. The next step is to make a call to the vehicles GSM phone to check it is working. The final step is to check the aerial/connections as suggested by F/FRAN.


STEP
OPERATIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
TEST RESULTS
1
TELEPHONE BUTTON CHECK
ALL OK
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
ACTION

Check if the call send has been activated by mistake.
- *#21# if activated.
- ##21# to deactivate it.
Move on to Step 2
Fault persists
Replace the CONNECT (Op. 5580P20). Italian market: contact TESEO
STEP
OPERATIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
TEST RESULTS
1
GPS MODULE CHECK
ALL OK
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
ACTION

Check, by carrying out the open sky test, that the number of satellites currently received is at least four.
End of diagnosis.
The reading is 0 (zero) satellites received.
Move on to Step 2.
2
TRANSMISSION CHECK
ALL OK
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
ACTION

Check that the receiver detects the call audio.
Move on to Step 3.
Fault persists
Continue with Diagnostic Table N71.
2
CHECK ON OPERATION OF GPS AERIAL
ALL OK
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
ACTION

Check the continuity of the aerial coaxial lead.
See E4090 NAVIGATOR
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how the vehicle phone can stop the GPS receiving satellite signals. Perhaps, if the phone doesn't work this is an indication of an aerial problem.
 
Frantic Fran & Avionista.

Once again great knowledge and help dished out, thank you very much.

The Sat nav seems to be working intermittently at present, i haven't done anything to it as yet though. Dont know whether it is just simply down to poor signal in certain geographical areas combined with a bit of corrosion on the antenna.

I'll certainly be having a look at the first opportunity.

I have managed to use the phone (Incoming call diverted via my mobile) and seemed to work as expected. I'll certainly give the ##21# a try, great bit of info by the way.

Not sure what the "Open sky" check is, would be interested to know.

Thanks again.

Si
 
I think by 'Open sky check' they mean you should ensure the car is in the open, away from buildings or other obstructions which might block the antenna's line of sight to the satellites, common sense really. Some owners and/or garage mechanics may expect the GPS to work when the car is inside a garage!
 
Can't say I've ever seen the GPS struggle on these cars, I would still pull out the headunit to make sure the connector is pushed fully in and then if that hasn't helped change the antenna completely for another one.


The GPS sensor is separate to the phone antenna, it is on the base under the roof.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys.

I though that's what open sky would mean, your right it does make sense, i have been in open sky when 0 satellites shown, however, for the most part it now seems to be working, however satellites drop off / reduce every now and then. The call audio is fine and carrying out the ##21# didn't seem to do anything , i take it that means a successful test.
The only other thing to mention is that my MW radio is no so poor can hardly be listened to, missing five live and talk sport!

Will pull out the unit over next few days and update you.
 
For the radio reception, Check the connection on your n/s rear window, maybe one of the spade clips have come off.
 
FRANTIC FRAN said:
The gps antenna is built into the phone aerial on the roof (the short stubby one). You have to pull down the roof lining to access it.

The wire is routed on the passenger side again above the roof lining. There is a join too which you could check.

I would first pull out your radio and make sure the connector is properly inserted into the headunit. I think it is the green one.

I have spare antennas if if does turn out to be the receiver.
Click to expand...

Finally got around to pulling the head unit out yesterday, all connections okay so will have to have a look at the receiver at some point.
However, after having the head unit out the RT3 system seemed to be in a boot loop, just showing the FIAT splash screen, you get audio ect but the system restarted itself every couple of minutes.
Was a simple solution, after a little guidance from Frantic Fran. The Optical connector had come out without me realising.
As fran suggested to me i could remove the plastic tray above the unit, pull the air ducting out of the way which gave access to the connections, just a case of popping back in. Now sorted.
 
No you should see it on the glass a black connector that pushes onto 2 stud like pins, if the connector has come off the glass then reception is terrible on FM and even worse on AM
 
Thanks Fran, will have another look when i leave work, its dark now though! I have to say i didn't see it when i looked last week.
 
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