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How I fixed a GPS issue of my new aftermarket Android car head unit

16th March 2024, 12:15 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

I got it installed in my Maruti Ignis and it would either take too long to update my position or there would be a sign stating "Searching for GPS".

BHPian mm_shen recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi everyone!

Had bought a 2018 Suzuki Ignis Delta AMT in the year 2022. The car had run just for 11k and odd and was in pristine condition. Wanted to switch over to AMT due to the notorious Bangalore Traffic.

The car came with steering-mounted audio, and call buttons, but the music system was the old LED type, like the one shown below:

I used a mobile holder to view Google Maps while travelling out of town.

The holder had to be mounted on the dashboard. Could not find any other place where I would be comfortable or it would not obstruct my view. When I was travelling to Goa in November 2023, the phone got heated due to the Goa Sun and the phone switched off. The phone would get warm while using navigation. Add the hot goa sun, the phone could not handle it.

I decided to upgrade the old music system to an aftermarket Android Screen. I bought a Tesha 9" Android Screen from Amazon. It set me back by ₹8.5k and also bought a cheap aftermarket rearview parking camera for ₹650. The local garage near my home asked for ₹800 for an Android frame and another ₹800 for labour.

The Android screen came with all the necessary plug-and-play wires for sound, an additional microphone and a GPS unit. I could train the system to my steering-mounted switches. I listened to my favorite songs using the Music app with Android Auto on my drive back home. The rear camera view was grainy as expected. But it was an important utility to park in tight spots.

I was a happy man until...

My home minister had an office function somewhere in Koramangala. Orders were issued that I was to drive her and her colleague to the venue. I have not frequented that area, so thought this is a good opportunity to test the new screen and maps on Android Auto.

To my utter dismay, the navigation was not functioning properly. It would either take too long to update my position or there would be a sign stating "Searching for GPS". I was disappointed. Had to resort to the mobile and holder.

I had a doubt about the GPS unit and its position. The garage fellow installed it inside the dashboard. Doesn't the GPS antennae need to be exposed to get a signal?

Came back home and scoured through videos and blogs about these screens. Could not get a proper answer. All videos made by Indian content creators showed the GPS antenna mounted inside the dash. My brother also got the same screen installed on his VW Polo and his antenna was also inside the dash. Working perfectly fine. I was contemplating returning the unit for an exchange. But deep down, I did not want to return it. Did not want to go through the process of waiting for the exchange, return etc. Something told me, the GPS antenna was not getting a signal. I came across a South Asian content creator's video, which showed that the Android screen had a preloaded app, which could show the GPS signal strength.

App Name: GPS Track Plus

It showed around 4 GPS satellites and no strength bars. I straight away popped open the Android screen out of the dash. Removed the antenna and held it outside. The Satellite count increased to 10-12 and had a full bar of signal strength when I held it in my hand. But this immediately came down, when I kept the antenna on the dash.

I had a hunch! Maybe the antennae is weak and needs a better conductor to receive signals. Something metallic! I removed the beading on the driver side A pillar. Removed the plastic cover of the A-pillar. Stuck the GPS antenna on the A-pillar so that it comes in contact with the metal. Routed the GPS antenna wire inside the dash. Took extra care that the wire does not touch any other wire of the Android screen to avoid picking up noise.

With bated breath, opened the GPS signal APP. And Voila! The GPS worked. Full strength. Put back the cover and beading.

A special thanks to my home minister who helped me with my experiment.

After a week, needed to drive down to Trichy for work. Thought of visiting Thanjavur also on the way. The GPS worked flawlessly and was a happy man again.

My mobile did not heat and I did not have to miss my turn due to the lack of navigation. Music and my home minister kept me company during the drive.

By the way, the Android screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play.

An App called "Z-link" connects to your mobile automatically when you switch on the car. I am finding it very useful.

Found a few "Danger-seekers" on the road while travelling to Trichy and had a couple of close calls with one-way rule breakers on the highway. Decided to go for a DashCam. Chose 70Mai M300. Got it on Flipkart for 4.1k including a Samsung Evo 128 GB SD card. Fixed the Cam and routed the wire with a helping hand from my home minister. The videos are ok. It is a basic cam installed for emergency use. Will give my 2 cents on it after a few more days of use.