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Porsche 997: Why is My GPS Not Working?

Technology has rapidly improved the world around us. However, the one time that car owners universally rally against the tech invasion is with the user interfaces used in cars. Tricky to use, and often too confusing to master, in-car GPS systems are no exception. Learn how to troubleshoot a GPS that's not working here.

By Brett Foote - May 7, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 997 (2005-2012).

The addition of GPS units in cars has been a revelation in the automotive world, particularly for those who travel a good bit. But unfortunately, they can and will break or incur mysterious electronic gremlins just like anything else. The Porsche 997 is no exception and faces its fair share of problems. This article will cover the more common GPS issues faced by 997 owners and some potential fixes for those problems.

Situation 1 – No GPS signal/Zero satellites found

If you check your GPS status and see a "0" next to satellites, then your car is not receiving a GPS signal. In some cases, the GPS might show your car located somewhere else than where you actually are. There are a few possible fixes for this problem. Removing the fuse for the PCM (24h) will reset the unit. You can also check the GPS antenna connection, as oftentimes the antenna leads come loose, especially if you have had your windshield replaced. To do so, remove the battery cover on the passenger side of the car and the cover next to it. There are two connections – one runs to the head unit, and the other plugs directly into the antenna. Make sure these cables are securely connected, reboot the system, and then drive the car for at least ten minutes to allow it to reset. Also be sure and inspect the connections themselves. The coax center pin of the GPS antenna is easily broken or damaged if mishandled. If yours is damaged, a new cable costs around $100.

Figure 1. An undamaged 997 GPS coax cable.

Situation 2 – GPS is acting erratically/pulling up wrong street names

If you are entering street names and the GPS is pulling up streets in another town, or you are facing other strange and erratic issues, there are other avenues to explore. This problem can be caused by bad/unplugged connections as mentioned in Step 1. Some owners have also had success by performing a simple reboot of the GPS system. To reset the system, simply press 1-4-8, let it reboot, and then drive the car for a few minutes to allow the system to reset.

Figure 2. Blue terminal where coax cable plugs in.

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