After some minutes it should listen to one channel (one of those should have a S/N value), then two, then three, then the almanac should be received and the other satelite slots are filled with S/N values. If you are outside with clear view to the sky, the whole eight channels shall have S/N.

If no channel has a signal nor a S/N, you will never receive anything, much less the almanac.

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My BMW: Photos

Hi BabyMakingWeather,

I have imported and fitted a lot of Mk4 nav systems from Europe to NZ.
When first fired up in this country the nav system will:
a) first show their last known location (normally in Germany) and have no almanac
b) within around 5 minutes, have acquired sufficient satellites (S/N >0), to lock on to GPS time, calculate location in the southern hemisphere, and start to download the almanac
c) after around 10 to 15min, the almanac download will be complete.

I then set the location to the nearest street corner, go for a calibration drive, and within about 3min of driving everything is fine.

If I was you, I'd be taking photos of the damage done to your vehicle to be used as evidence.

From your error messages, the antenna is connected plugged in) but is not working (not receiving). Antenna damage is the likely cause.

Jochen

Cheers Jochen

OK, back in business today after a new aerial. Thanks to everyone for tips & suggestions

Hi Jochen,

Can you give more information about the calibration that you are referring to? I bought a new X3 and transported it from US to Canada. My GPS is messed up, never tells me where I am when I am moving or stationary. Satellite fix (at least 6/8), sensor and gyro are all ok.

For calibration, do I set a destination, and then drive there? How does the GPS calibration mechanism work? I never had to do this with my handheld GPS before.

Thanks.

You cannot calibrate a handheld GPS as they only use the GPS signal.
The vehicle GPS system uses the intertial guidance inputs from the vehicle wheel speed pulse, gyro compass, direction of travel), and compares with required map location (on a road, reset at every intersection) and the GPS signal.

Calibration is automatic - just drive on a motorway for around 5min to calibrate the speed pulses to the GPS-calculated speed.
Gyro is calibrated every time the vehicle is fully closed (doors, sunroof, boot etc) and ignition turned off. Don't bump the vehicle !

Thanks. I did drive it for about an hour yesterday (mostly city driving) and didn't see any difference. I'll give it a few days and see if it makes a difference.

Go out to the fields. Search for hill with no stuff around (no high trees, no houses, etc.). The clearer the view, the better it fixes.

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My BMW: Photos

Drove on the highways longer and now everything is excellent. Thanks for the tip. Now I can really enjoy my Nav. Not as good as my TomTom, but at least I don't have to worry about my PDA running out of battery