No GPS symbol

[cullinan18]

I have a 2017 with Sync 3 and Navigation. Sometimes, in the bottom left corner I will see a symbol with a red circle and a line thru GPS. The map follows along with where I am driving, but, apparently, there is an issue with the GPS for that drive. If I turn off the Expy and drive later, it usually works fine without that symbol. This has occurred when I start the car in the garage, on the driveway, or open parking lots. Thanks.

 

[chuck s]

I got curious and fired up the truck. Could see the speaker icon slashed, but no hint of the GPS icon -- but I'm pretty sure I saw an icon of some sort (not the speaker) it months ago and tried to turn it on. Couldn't. Regardless GPS didn't seem any affected.

Don't recall seeing it recently. I'm on the latest version of Sync 3 which I think is "Sync3 3.0."

-- Chuck

 

[16plati]

I have a 2017 with Sync 3 and Navigation. Sometimes, in the bottom left corner I will see a symbol with a red circle and a line thru GPS. The map follows along with where I am driving, but, apparently, there is an issue with the GPS for that drive. If I turn off the Expy and drive later, it usually works fine without that symbol. This has occurred when I start the car in the garage, on the driveway, or open parking lots. Thanks.

Do you know anything about how satellites work with gps? If not, look it up and this question will be answered. It has to do with how many satellites are positioned overhead of your vehicle. It’s normal.

 

[chuck s]

Those days ended years ago when there were few satellites in orbit.

Today there are at least eight (8) satellites visible nearly everywhere on earth at all times. And ya only need 3 (4 for altitude).

-- Chuck

 

[MuddySpokes]

All well and good, but . . .

I downloaded Ford's most recent owner's manual and there was no mention of this in the GPS section. Searched on key words and nothing there either. Will admit that I did not read the manual in its entirety, so it is possible that there is a description of this and I am missing it.

So, this is looking like an unpublished 'feature' where nobody in the user community really knows its purpose.

My vote is to enter a record of it at safercar<dot>gov where it will get more visibility if nobody else is able to find anything about it in the '17 owner's manual.

 

[bobmbx]

Anybody live near a tunnel? Take a drive and see what pops up when the GPS signal is lost.

 

[MuddySpokes]

No change in mine . . . Even when ~75' under water.

Looking forward to whether others see this when they go through a tunnel.

 

[Dorzak]

I got the No GPS icon for a little while this weekend. Don't usually see it.

 

[Trainmaster]

16plati's reply is spot on. It means that the truck's not seeing enough satellites to dependably operate the GPS. The signal can be blocked by clouds, buildings, etc.

 

[MuddySpokes]

Agree with the logic of what that symbol might mean. And at the same time I'd expect to see a description in the owner's manual given that a loss of signal scenario is common, except that the manual is silent. This leaves us guessing as to what the indicator actually means. Maybe it is loss of signal, maybe it is equipment failure, maybe it is software error . . .

 

[LRNAD90]

SYNC is in a lot of vehicles (obviously), and a quick google Search turns up a lot of results..

These posts from the F150 Forum maybe helpful?

Couple of Posts from that thread..

"SSM 45917 - 2016-2017 Ford/Lincoln - SYNC 3 – Inaccurate Global Positioning System (GPS) Tracking Or GPS Vehicle Icon Spinning Or Spinning Compass - Engineering Investigating

Some 2016-2017 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience the following concerns; the GPS not tracking the vehicle position correctly, the vehicle location arrow icon spinning in circles on the navigation screen or a spinning compass on non-navigation vehicles. Perform the following procedure to resolve. Enter BezelDiagnostics per Work Shop Manual (WSM) Section 415-00. Select Testing Settings from the menu. Scroll down and press Clear DR calib. Perform a drive test for approximately 10 minutes, include at least four right turns and four left turns with a vehicle speed of at least 25 MPH. Confirm that GPS position for Navigation or the Compass for non-navigation vehicles is functioning properly. Engineering is aware of this concern"


"Unfortunately, several of us have experienced these symptoms as the start of an APIM failure. First, no GPS, for longer and longer periods. Next, the interface will start getting slower - buttons will take seconds to respond, etc. Eventually, it'll lock up completely.

If that's what you've got, the solution is a new APIM."

 

[Michellecab]

Could this GPS problem happen after a windshield replacement?

 

[chuck s]

I'm betting you're just replaced your windshield and are getting this GPS icon not just reading a 5 year old thread? If the GPS antenna is on top of the dashboard a non-OEM windshield with a metallic film or internal layer, or heating element could interfere. But there are dozens of satellites these days I've never lost coverage other than some long tunnels. I know there are sometimes issues with E-ZPass transponders in some portions of some windshields.

How's the GPS in your iPhone working inside the truck?

-- Chuck