Smart Fortwo GPS Dead: Antenna Fix Guide & Cost Tips

I had the same GPS signal loss issue on my Smart Forfour from 2015. The navigation system kept showing error codes and completely lost satellite connection capabilities. After inspection, the problem was indeed the GPS antenna. The main cause was corroded connections between the GPS module and the antenna, plus water damage to the antenna housing on the roof. The repair involved: Complete removal of the old GPS antenna, Replacing damaged wiring harness sections, Installing a new GPS module, Mounting and sealing a new antenna assembly This was more than a simple antenna repair since multiple car electronics components needed replacement. The job took about 4 hours at the shop because they had to partially remove the headliner to access all connection points. For a Smart of this age, its worth fixing if you rely on the built-in navigation. The repair restored full satellite connection and GPS functionality. Modern GPS antennas are better sealed against environmental damage, so a replacement should last many years. A workaround would be using a mobile phone for navigation, but fixing the factory system maintains the cars original functionality and value.

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair experience. My issue with the GPS module and antenna seems similar, lost signals and error codes on my 2000 Smart Fortwo too. Good to know it was fixable despite needing multiple parts replaced. Did you remember roughly what the car GPS system repair cost in total? Also curious if youve had any navigation issues since the antenna repair was done, or if its been working reliably?

After getting the GPS antenna repair done by the mechanic last month, the navigation system has worked flawlessly. The total repair cost came to 200€, which included replacing both the antenna and fixing some corroded wiring in the car electronics system. The satellite connection is now consistently strong and I havent seen any error codes since. The GPS signal stays stable even during bad weather, which was a problem before the repair. Seems the new antenna components are indeed better sealed against moisture compared to the original parts. Looking back, fixing the car navigation system was definitely worth the investment for a Smart of this age. The repair shop did a thorough job with the antenna installation and made sure all connections were properly sealed to prevent future issues. For anyone facing similar GPS problems, having a professional check the antenna and related car electronics is the way to go. Mobile navigation apps are fine as a temporary solution, but a working built-in system adds more value to the vehicle.

Based on your request, here is the final response from the perspective of the initial poster: Thanks for all the feedback. I finally took my Smart to the mechanic last week after dealing with the GPS signal problems. The diagnostic showed similar issues to what you described, corroded wiring and a damaged antenna causing the navigation system to fail. The total repair came to 280€, slightly more than yours since they found additional signal interference from a loose ground wire that needed fixing. The mechanic spent about 3 hours replacing the car GPS antenna and resolving the wiring issues. Happy to report the satellite connection is now perfect and the navigation works like new. No more error codes or lost signals. The repair shop also applied extra weatherproofing around the new antenna, which should prevent future problems. For anyone else with an older Smart experiencing GPS issues, getting it properly fixed is worth considering. The car navigation system actually works better now than it did when I first bought the vehicle.