Lost GPS signal - 987.2

[cobnut]

A while ago the satnav on my 987.2 lost its positioning and is now totally "lost", not even showing the correct direction of travel, let alone location. From other stuff posted online it seems possible this is down to a broken/dislodged/unplugged aerial cable for the receiver. Does anyone know if this cable/connection is accessible to a reasonably competent person or is it something that involves taking the car apart down to the wheel nuts? The rest of the PCM is normal, so it does seem like purely a loss of GPS data.

 

[stevehorobin]

Cobnut
I had the same problem with my 986. Worked one day, then didn't.
I looked at the genuine Porsche replacement - 996 642 206 00 but that's around £100.
I ordered a recommended replacement off Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Y7V67DV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 but this is showing as currently unavailable.
When it arrived I tested the unit by just connecting to the rear of the nav unit and placing the sensor on the dash. Within a few seconds of switching on it discovered a number of satelites and the satnav worked perfectly.
I found the same item on a US site for £8 + shipping - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/314794953.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.5.577d5cdamZcnWr
You need to ensure the connector is a GT5-1S, usually grey and fairly square end connector. Check the rear of the nav unit to confirm the connector.
To slide the nav unit out you need a pair of radio removal tools, or a bent wire coathanger. The GPS sensor is on the rear.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Removal-Release-Extraction-Volkswagen-Mercedes/dp/B07MHGBG3T/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=radio+removal+tool&qid=1617396704&sr=8-5
The fiddly part is tracing through a route to get the sensor up on the dash again where the current one is and run the cable to the rear of the nav unit.
On the 986 the GPS sensor is on the dash near the LED flashing alarm active light. Couple of screws released it. May have been torx screws if I remember correctly.
Good Luck, Steve

 

[stevehorobin]

Cobnut
Just tripped over this on eBay. May be what you need.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vehicle-Car-GPS-Active-Navigation-Antenna-GT5-1S-For-Toyota-Tundra-Tacoma-Camry/293785608151?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item4466fc9fd7:g:sGUAAOSwgD9fDSiY&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACoBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkvjzWOStkxwnlDuxSI1PVVq4iXQEIbAPRvEo5hk106wZwLmitpFFHUpS4IDLn4jqok94SA%252F1%252BocenrW6IGA0ETrHLb35xitFZg2HF42lkoHC4m8CsPWQVVy3Z%252FnErDbFnfY8xdDZZ9YovBY0QDzaK9b5%252FC0RUBx%252BMLka828hTb%252BBQsZoDNYj2rgQu2CSrN3jNJ4c09qaIhVZB%252BeqAq2QM44rWMHzBAIriZY6X2AJKNFCrk0J0FI5GdaNlxEVlDHBup91TUtWzMgv3FQuUQzViWFSSEdp2EUgBDwaLWnscR9%252B%252Bm6KH2hgNGlcLvAjyYkOwhWpEHn1C3AmCNp7TWPM8MdDLYDHHr3yf3hSu4Qf3itxBWtRe2hCd3rEkWKXZR6ZdqtVsBirQO0HF%252F5hsBs19YVj%252Fwbxyv94YS7oLqIAP3%252FZ%252FNFqckowSxkY4zMr44%252FrY2r5LmhmK1l8Lu6RtGk8D5LA3fjzD69%252BdCkxCq8QayrNE48NH6Ya%252B9xHHHCBXxVXYcR0FJxhtH%252BubM8hiI47cyiUxvn9eZ1mBp8N0OQ9zpwG6ELWiPAe%252FIhLvjaik8dfUPHHB86Nndd4B1Zy%252BZWnAlyNoR3HmDbCxTm%252FmdCJVRwhBd764XIhRWsXmVU8%252FsWSxMj%252B4ezHB67DAat2OkJNXjZkTDb6urE%252FjOpMSDVl%252FsfJ1QsdOPajguEh0NVHOVS6Di0plNlm4KuA0zfl3PwouATaaPBeoGesyQuXABQURWXtuGVU5ByxjRkoeE0lRSh6RtxF%252BV64X0yBsh2G618jA6f17W%252FcW5xZydpfOsCjjehtFo938FwcHmEgFmzqmJ86B5B%252BysOgEWrIGnBlN92iLRg%253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A293785608151351f3f98f9af4dc39773d041b671e9b7%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524
Steve

 

[cobnut]

Thanks Steve, that's really helpful! Did you ever find out what had actually gone wrong with yours or did it just die quietly in its sleep?

Unfortunately, anything involving removing bits of the dash gives me night terrors. Probably too many occasions in my younger days where they never quite go back together as they should I'll have a poke about over the weekend. Thanks again.

Jon

 

[Chappelle]

I have a Gen 1 and it’s fairly easy to get the radio out. The side trim on the console removed first; one hex screw buried in a small piece of carpet trim exposing two? more screws. The side trims are clipped in and come out towards you. Good guides on the internet.

Guess you'll need 'keys' to get the head unit out

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

The GPS antenna on the 987 is in a different place to the 986. It is mounted on a plate just above where the pollen filter is located. There is a plug on the sensor, and the contacts often become corroded because it is exposed to the elements. You have to take off the cowl panel to get to it, but often unplugging it and giving it a squrt of contact cleaner can do the trick

 

[oneill]

Lost maps on my 987.2 pcm coming up loading.sent pcm away for diagnosis,they came back that a new circuit board is needed.£900..just going to buy a A to Z.good luck with yours.