GPS is off

[PeteC]

I checked the connectors when I pulled out the unit last week and haven't seen anything out of extraordinary. Having said that I will recheck again, I ordered a cheap GPS antenna with FAKRA connector from eBay, when it arrives I will do a quick test with it to make sure the unit is ok. My service is not up till 11th of June anyway.

[PeteC]

Eureka! I found the issue and fixed it!!
Yesterday evening I was thinking about this issue again and I told to myself: there is no way that the GPS and antenna cable is continuous from the head unit to the back of the car to the antenna, there should be one (or more) connection point somewhere and maybe that's what became loose. So today I checked under the drivers seat, because I remember I saw there many cables running and some connections and when I touched it, I felt that I could push it inside. After that I turned on the GPS and voila! 6 out of 12 GPS, fixed, all working!! P.s. I think it was the yellow connector, on the second picture.

[FJ Steve]

well done.

there is a lot to be said for perseverance.

[tonymy01]

often yellow is reserved for air bags..I guess not in the Golf.

[Buckets]

Glad it is sorted Pete. Steve's right, there IS a lot to be said for perseverance!

[buzuki]

interesting, they are same colour wires for airbag also.

Got me stumped,

[PeteC]

Maybe it was the big black connector then, I am not sure.

[PeteC]

Dear All, I am here to give you another (final update). After few days I posted the fix, my GPS stopped working again so for a week I was using a temporary replacement antenna I bought from online. It was the small magnetic one with FAKRA connector, which I placed on top of the head unit inside the dash. The reception was much weaker than the original roof mounted antenna but at least it was working.

I just came back from the VW service. They checked the car and found the antenna base to be faulty. They ordered the replacement antenna and when it arrives they will book in my car for two days and replace my antenna and the cabling. The service today and the two days service will cost me nothing as it will be covered under warranty. VW was generous enough (perhaps due to the late recall issues?) that they extended my 3 years warranty a little bit as it has expired in March this year. Happy end.
Thanks for all the help!

Ps. Previously I read on some other forums, that the VW roof antennas can corrode over time and when it happens it has to be replaced. Maybe mine had this issue, however no corrosion should occur this early. The car is just three years old. Maybe its the salty air in Sydney?

[buzuki]

ive replaced a few bases, never seen any signs of corrosion.