Cobalt GPS Not Finding Satellites? Fix Your Dead Signal

I had a similar GPS navigation issue with my 2020 Chevy Silverado , sounds exactly like what you're describing. With some experience working on car electronics, I can tell you these symptoms often point to antenna problems. After troubleshooting, my mechanic found the GPS antenna was completely dead, no signal reception at all. The antenna repair required full replacement since the unit was corroded. Parts and labor came to around 200 Euro, but the navigation system works perfectly now. Before jumping to replace parts though, what trim level is your Cobalt and which navigation system came factory installed? This will help narrow down the exact antenna setup you're dealing with. Also, have you noticed if the GPS works intermittently or if it's completely dead? Some quick things to check: Look for visible damage to the antenna (usually on the roof), Check if the vehicle GPS shows any satellite count at all, Verify all connections are secure Let me know those details and I can provide more specific guidance based on your exact setup.

Thanks for the detailed response. My Trailblazer is the LS trim with the factory-installed navigation system. Just had it serviced last week at 113744 KM, and that's when I first noticed the complete signal loss. The car navigation system shows zero satellites, not even a single bar of signal strength. I've checked the roof antenna visually and can't spot any obvious damage, though there's some light surface rust around the base. The GPS module appears to be getting power since the screen lights up, but it's just not picking up any satellite connection. I'm leaning toward your antenna theory since signal interference isn't inconsistent, it's a total blackout. Did your antenna replacement require any special calibration after install, or was it plug-and-play?

Yeah, that's definitely similar to what I experienced with my Malibu. After seeing your details, I'm even more convinced it's the antenna, especially with that rust you mentioned around the base. In my case, what looked like "light" surface rust from the outside actually indicated deeper corrosion that had damaged the internal antenna components, completely blocking GPS signal reception. The antenna replacement was mostly straightforward, pretty much plug-and-play, though my mechanic did need to clear the error codes after installation. The new GPS module picked up satellite signals almost immediately after the swap. No special calibration was needed, which was a relief. One quick thing to check before committing to the repair: try disconnecting and reconnecting the antenna cable to rule out a loose connection. In some cases, signal interference can be caused by a partially disconnected cable. But given the complete signal blackout you're describing, just like I had, and the visible rust, I'd bet you're dealing with a failed antenna unit. Just make sure to get an OEM-compatible antenna, aftermarket ones can be hit-or-miss with these factory navigation systems and might cause ongoing satellite connection issues.

Thanks for the additional insights. After checking the antenna connections like you suggested, I found they were tight but the cable itself looks pretty weathered. Given your similar experience and successful fix, I'm going to go ahead with replacing the antenna since all signs point to that being the culprit. Really helpful to hear your Malibu's antenna replacement was basically plug-and-play, makes me more confident about tackling this repair. I'll definitely stick with an OEM-compatible part to avoid any vehicle GPS compatibility headaches. The rust around my antenna base sounds exactly like what you dealt with, so I'm hoping a new unit will restore my satellite connection just like it did for you. Will probably schedule the antenna repair next week. If it turns out to be something else causing the signal interference, I'll update here, but based on the total GPS blackout and your similar case, I'm betting this will solve it. Really appreciate you walking me through your experience with this.