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rudolfsilber5

Subaru Legacy GPS Navigation System Completely Dead

My onboard navigation suddenly stopped working on my 2018 Subaru Legacy diesel (183000km). The system shows an error message and cant get any GPS reception at all. Looking at similar issues online, it might be related to car GPS antenna problems or signal interference. Has anyone dealt with this before? Last repair shop visit wasnt great, so Id appreciate recommendations on how to approach this, whether its a simple antenna repair or something more complex with the car electronics.

4 comment(s)

ralfbraun1

Having experienced similar GPS signal issues with my 2019 Subaru Impreza diesel, I can relate to this problem. The symptoms turned out to be a failed GPS antenna connection at the roof mount. The repair involved testing the GPS module first, which was functioning correctly, then tracing the issue to corroded antenna contacts. The main culprit was water seepage around the antenna housing that had damaged the connection points over time. This is typically a moderate repair that requires: 1. Testing the GPS module functionality 2. Checking antenna cable continuity 3. Inspecting the roof mount seal 4. Possibly replacing the entire antenna assembly. The antenna repair resolved both the error message and reception problems. While not a critical safety issue, its worth fixing since the navigation system is integral to the vehicles electronics. The repair can usually be completed within a few hours if the parts are available. For diagnosis, the repair shop should first verify if the vehicle GPS system recognizes the antenna. Many times the issue lies in the connection rather than the GPS module itself. Waiting longer wont help as moisture exposure will continue degrading the components.

rudolfsilber5 (Author)

Thanks for sharing details about the GPS antenna repair. My Legacy had nearly identical symptoms last winter. The satellite connection issues were definitely frustrating, especially since I rely on navigation for work. I went ahead with the repair you described, and it completely resolved the GPS module errors. Just wondering, do you recall roughly how much the fix cost? Also, have you had any recurring issues with the GPS reception since the repair was completed? The new antenna setup has been solid for me so far, but I keep an eye on the roof seal now since water damage was the original problem.

ralfbraun1

After getting the GPS antenna fixed at the repair shop, my Impreza navigation system has worked flawlessly. The total cost came to 200€, which included testing the satellite connection components and installing the new GPS antenna assembly. Having proper reception again makes a huge difference, especially for regular navigation use. The repair fixed all the initial GPS signal problems and no recurring issues have surfaced in the months since. The technician made sure to properly seal the new antenna housing to prevent future water damage, this was crucial since moisture was what caused the original connection failure. The vehicle GPS system now connects quickly and maintains a strong satellite connection, unlike before when it would constantly lose signal or display error messages. Keeping an eye on the roof seal is definitely smart preventive maintenance to avoid future antenna problems.

rudolfsilber5 (Author)

Thank you everyone for the input. I finally got my Legacy fixed last week. The mechanic confirmed it was indeed the faulty antenna causing the GPS reception problems. The repair was straightforward, they tested the car electronics first, then replaced the damaged GPS module and antenna assembly. Total cost came to 180€ which included new parts and labor. Much better than I expected after my previous shop quoted nearly double. The satellite connection is now perfect, no more error messages or lost signals. The mechanic also applied extra sealant around the antenna to prevent future water damage. Honestly wish I had addressed this sooner instead of trying various DIY fixes. Overall very happy with the antenna repair results. The navigation system connects quickly and maintains solid GPS reception even in challenging conditions. Will definitely keep monitoring the roof seal to catch any potential issues early.

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