Sat nav saying "No GPS" 2011 Focus

[DaveRushton]

Afternoon :)

My 2011 (Mk3) Focus has now started saying "No GPS" on the screen, anyone have any ideas what may be causing this?

I have seen a few threads about the aerial being corroded, so i may have to take this apart.

For the first check i reseated all the cables in the back of the stereo but this didnt help.

Every now and then it will start working again, just getting annoying now however.

 

I did buy this but even when plugged directly into the back of the stereo i have the same issue.

 

Starting to lose the will to live now with this, any ideas?

Cheers

[JW1982]

This is a known problem of many Ford models including the Focus MK3. The GPS antenna is integrated into the aerial base on top of the roof. As a result of water ingress the components of the GPS antenna corrode and the GPS antenna stops working. Because the aerial base is a sealed non serviceable part it needs to be replaced completely.   

There are basically two different solutions for the problem. The first solution is installing a new original aerial base. The part alone costs approximately €80,-. However there is a (relative large) risk that the new GPS antenna develops the same problem within a few years.

The second much cheaper solution is installing an aftermarket GPS antenna with a blue Fakra connector. These antennas can be found on eBay from about €6,- including P&P. These aftermarket antennas can be installed behind the passenger side A-pillar cover. Because this type of antenna is installed inside the vehicle you will never have the water ingress problem again. I use an aftermarket €6,- GPS antenna for over 2 years now without any problems. the GPS reception is the same (possibly even better) than the GPS reception of the original GPS antenna.

[madmole]

Check the map SD card is pressed fully in!

[DaveRushton]

Just to give an update on this,

reseated everything - not working,

used a new fakra aerial - Not working

Swore lots - Not working

Unplugged battery as i was really annoyed - Fixed :D

 

God knows why its now working but it is :)

[v530anh]

Probably reset it.

[DaveRushton]

And the issue is back :(

 

i did try an after market fakra one but it still said No GPS which makes me think maybe the headunit?

[JW1982]

Basically the headunit (audio unit) has nothing to do with the GPS. On the Focus MK3 the GPS functionality is fully integrated into the FCDIM module (display). the FCDIM is a standalone CANbus module that communicates with other modules like for example the audio unit, Bluetooth/Voicecontrol or APIM (SYNC) module and the PDC module. 

No GPS reception can be caused by a defective FCDIM. This is however pretty rare. If the FCDIM turns out to be defective your best option is to install a used one from eBay or a local scrap yard. A new 5 inch Sat Nav FCDIM costs approximately €600,- from Ford. When changing the FCDIM it is very important to install the correct part number. Not all FCDIM modules are interchangeable.

[TangoDaz]

I think this is the unit you need 

[DaveRushton]

Just had the antennae off, and it looks like the following 2 pics, no real damage/corrosion though

 

chip looks orange around one of the capacitors not sure if that's normal though

[DaveRushton]

On 14/04/2017 at 0:48 PM, TangoDaz said:

I think this is the unit you need 

Just bought this one

[DaveRushton]

Replacing with the one above solved my issues :) just swapped the adapter under the aerial and job was a good'un 

 

cheers guys :)

[TangoDaz]

Glad you sorted it out-:)

[Cez]

I have the same problem, no GPS signal, asks me to drive onto a suitable road. Has anybody just buy the bullet and paid for a new base for ford? It's priced at £72 . Did it work?

[TangoDaz]

As mentioned in previous quotes try the antenna from eBay should sort out the problem and easily to fit underneath the a pillar trim 

[vibeone]

Really don't know why people worry about going non-standard.  It's pretty much the easiest mod you can do. Some people don't even bother with the A pillar and leave the GPS unit on top of the ACM.  

[James Blond]

I tried to put it on the ACM but it seemed to lose some satellites (I had maximum 5).

What I did was to put the gps antenna on top of the glove compartment. I have in this way 7-8 satellites all the time.

Also I so that if I turn it upside down it will loose all satellites.

[iantt]

I put mine behind behind the mirror cover

[Cez]

If Id known I could have stuck it to the roof next to the antenna I may have gone for it, just seemed a lot of potch to run the one off eBay under the lining and down to the inside the a post. Not touched any of that before and didn't fancy the risk of spoiling the interior. I've bought the antenna base today from Evans halshaw for £72 and fitting it tomorrow. Really hope it works. They wanted £108 for an hour's labour to fit it!!!!??

[SimDK]

Hi all,

Where is the gps connected ? 

On the rear of my radio unit (small mfd Navi) I have two fakra-connectors being used. Is one of them the gps? Or should I remove the screen also to find the gps connector ?

 

br

[iantt]

the gps fakra connector is on the back of the display

[flemingalex]

i have a mk2 focus and cant find where it is connected. Any help?

[Wespro]

Hi I have 2011 focus the sat nav knows where I want to go ( destination ) but thinks I’m in Bedford as a starting point therefore every destination I want is 160 km away , surely the system GPS can’t know where I want to go if broken ? So confused ..... my maps also has no idea where I am just fields and the odd river !!!

[madmole]

Its working from your last cached position. Thats where you were when it broke

[NikonNutter]

Here's a thing - my 2017 Focus says the same yet the sat-nav is working flawlessly.

I don't recall seeing it before I updated the SYNC3 a month or so back so I'm guessing a firmware glitch?

[Graham Matthews]

Hello - I have just had the No GPS message.

How do you remove the aerial base from the roof ( rear of roof)?

Do you need to remove the interior head lining ?

 

Thanks in advance