[Junebug85]

Since the other day, my location on the navigation is showing somewhere else (not where I am currently). It sometimes also just shows the white background with the arrow. I'm guessing there is something wrong with the GPS signal.

I've seen a few posts online where others have reported the same issue but I can't find the fix...

Some have said the GPS antenna needs to be replaced. I'm not sure if this is under the shark fin or somewhere else. I always though the shark fin antenna was for the phone/telecommunication system.

Can anyone help shed some light on this please?

Car is a UK 2018 G30 540i xDrive

I did speak to someone on a G30 facebook group who said after 3 weeks his started to work again... don't think I can live without my nav for that long

Thanks in advance

[claykin]

Have you tried to hard reboot your iDrive? Hold down the volume/mute button for 30 seconds.

If that doesn't help, I'm thinking bad hard drive in your iDrive unit.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by claykin

Have you tried to hard reboot your iDrive? Hold down the volume/mute button for 30 seconds.

If that doesn't help, I'm thinking bad hard drive in your iDrive unit.

Yes, I tried that but still the same.

Everything else works fine on the idrive, the navigation system still works fine too - allows me to input an address and it speaks out the next direction as it should.

It's just the location position that seems to be off (by miles)

[LogicalApex]

You can try accessing the Compass view. I believe that’s the one that shows how many satellites you are connected with. If you’re getting a low or no number there that’s likely your problem and it might be the antenna under the shark fin as that’s what’s used for GPS and Satellite Radio I believe.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

You can try accessing the Compass view. I believe that’s the one that shows how many satellites you are connected with. If you’re getting a low or no number there that’s likely your problem and it might be the antenna under the shark fin as that’s what’s used for GPS and Satellite Radio I believe.

Thank you - I'll have a look.
It still picks up a signal and is able to plot a route etc, it just shows my location at that moment in time, in a completely different place. That's what led me to think that there is something screwy with the GPS location side of things.

[AP]

There is a hidden menu for the idrive involving a combination of dial turns and moving left / right.

Try this

https://************************/bon...mw-hidden-menu

There is if I recall one option for the gps I believe which may help determining if you are getting a valid output from the gps rather than it being a fault with the navigation itself .

Worth a try and may narrow things down

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by AP

There is a hidden menu for the idrive involving a combination of dial turns and moving left / right.

Try this

https://************************/bonus-idrive-hack-bmw-hidden-menu

There is if I recall one option for the gps I believe which may help determining if you are getting a valid output from the gps rather than it being a fault with the navigation itself .

Worth a try and may narrow things down

Many thanks - I'll give it a go in the morning and let you know how I get on

[dscabra]

GPS signals are monitored continuously and any satellite that is out of spec is switched to a non-standard code to prevent it from being used by a normal GPS receiver. You can get the status of the US GPS constellation here:

https://navcen.uscg.gov/gps-constellation

The issue is more likely in the receiver.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Junebug85

Thank you - I'll have a look.
It still picks up a signal and is able to plot a route etc, it just shows my location at that moment in time, in a completely different place. That's what led me to think that there is something screwy with the GPS location side of things.

GPS also needs a minimum number of satellites to accurately get your location. As the satellites don’t really say where you are they say where they are. Your GPS device, in this case the G30, then triangulates your location based on the location beacon of multiple satellites. Going “if Sat. A is there, Sat. B is there and Sat. C is there with signal times to me of X I must be at this spot as that’s the only mathematically likely place”. The more satellites you are locked to the more accurate your “fix” and can be down to a foot or so.

So if you’re getting a lower number of locks that will lead to inaccuracies. If you can’t improve your locks outside then you likely have an issue with your antenna.

[dscabra]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

GPS also needs a minimum number of satellites to accurately get your location. As the satellites don’t really say where you are they say where they are. Your GPS device, in this case the G30, then triangulates your location based on the location beacon of multiple satellites. Going “if Sat. A is there, Sat. B is there and Sat. C is there with signal times to me of X I must be at this spot as that’s the only mathematically likely place”. The more satellites you are locked to the more accurate your “fix” and can be down to a foot or so.

So if you’re getting a lower number of locks that will lead to inaccuracies. If you can’t improve your locks outside then you likely have an issue with your antenna.

Yep -- To solve for your location, your receiver requires a minimum of four satellite signals. The four signals are used to measure the time delay from when the signal was transmitted to when your receiver received it. Then, knowing the rate (speed of light), you can solve for the distance. This is called trilateration.

[Junebug85]

Thanks AP for the info regarding the hidden menu.

Just had a look at the GPS status - It says 'Check Antenna'

The last picture is from my Wife's car who has the same idrive system as me. Her one is working fine and shows all the values. Both cars are in the same location currently.

Looks like I need a new antenna!

[G30 B58]

Is that a collection of detailing products, OP?

[AP]

Good news. You at least now know what the source of the issue is.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

Is that a collection of detailing products, OP?

Yes mate, Adams Polishes

[AP]

Whilst talking about gps on this car, I was wondering if it has what the E39 had , which is what I would call a poor man's inertial system consisting of a compass and the abs sensors to determine its position when gps was not available?

I recall driving into underground car parks where gps was obviously not available and the car still showing me moving on a map and turning as the car turned.
I thought I had read that it determines this with a compass built in and using the abs sensors to monitor wheel movement and this how far it had moved. Makes sense.
Just wondering if the g30 also has this? Just a technical curiosity

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by AP

Whilst talking about gps on this car, I was wondering if it has what the E39 had , which is what I would call a poor man's inertial system consisting of a compass and the abs sensors to determine its position when gps was not available?

I recall driving into underground car parks where gps was obviously not available and the car still showing me moving on a map and turning as the car turned.
I thought I had read that it determines this with a compass built in and using the abs sensors to monitor wheel movement and this how far it had moved. Makes sense.
Just wondering if the g30 also has this? Just a technical curiosity

I assume it does. Not sure if the system has changed or improved. But the G30 definitely can track its location in a tunnel or underground garage.

I’d assume it also leverages the 4G connection for “Assisted GPS” to download current GPS satellite locations to reduce the time it takes to get a solid GPS signal. Otherwise, it can take 6 minutes or more for a full lock. Especially in cities where GPS reception can be negatively impacted by obstructions. I don’t know if it can leverage nearby WiFi access point addresses in that to give it a rough GPS lock similar to a phone. It is possible it does since the OP didn’t report the GPS had them set to the middle of the ocean or something with a failed antenna…

[CnSky]

Anyone got a link or instructions how to access this hidden menu? Seems the link above is no longer working.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by CnSky

Anyone got a link or instructions how to access this hidden menu? Seems the link above is no longer working.

I copied the link into a web browser and it worked. Clicking the link from the post doesn't work.

Press the "Menu" button to reach the main screen, then press the iDrive controller in the up position for 8 seconds.
Rotate it three clicks to the right then three clicks to the left
Then one to the right
One to the left
One to the right
Then press the controller knob again.

Your iDrive menu will show a new option, "Service menu" at the bottom

[Junebug85]

Update...

I was able to remove the antenna this morning. I pulled down the headliner near the high level brake light and there is enough room to access the Telecom Box under the antenna. You need to release the clip that holds the TCB to the antenna. Once this is free, removing the T25 screw at the top will allow the antenna to be removed.

I've ordered a new antenna and also a new TC Battery. I've seen many cars recently have the 'Emergency call system not available' message. Mine being a 2018, I thought it would be best to change it too while I had access to it.

Part Numbers:

Antenna - 65209303037
TC Battery - 84102447710

I hope this fixes my issue!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Junebug85

Thanks AP for the info regarding the hidden menu.

Just had a look at the GPS status - It says 'Check Antenna'

The last picture is from my Wife's car who has the same idrive system as me. Her one is working fine and shows all the values. Both cars are in the same location currently.

Looks like I need a new antenna!

I wonder if that's a Euro-spec thing. My 2019 540i doesn't have the "service menu" option

edit:
NEVER MIND! Took a couple of tries with Junebug's instructions, but I got the menu.

THANKS.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I wonder if that's a Euro-spec thing. My 2019 540i doesn't have the "service menu" option

It's a hidden menu that only shows up once you carry out the idrive controller sequence to unhide it.

Have you tried the sequence?

I'm sure it is available on all cars around the world even if the idrive systems differ slightly.

[Junebug85]

Issue resolved!

Fitting the new antenna has fixed the issue. At first it didn't work but as soon as I started driving the car it picked up my actual correct location.

I also fitted the new TC battery to prevent getting the error message. I've seen alot of 2017/2018 cars get the SOS error.