Orange Flashing Light

[danielb]

I always seem to get a flashing orange light on my GPS receiver and it takes up to half an hour to get a signal even though I may be driving on main roads.



Is this normal ?



How can I get a signal quicker, before I reach my destination would be helpful!

[Privateer]

Hi Daniel,



Have you tried moving the GPS to different positions on your dash?



If your GPS is on the front dash you might have problems due to your front windscreen. If that's the case (whilst stationary) place the GPS outside your car preferably on the roof and see if it works any quicker. If it does then you may have to place your GPS in a different place (try the corner of the windscreen).



What GPS do you use? I have the standard TomTom non-BT and I'm very happy with it.



Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

[danielb]

It is the standard GPS receiver that comes in the Tom Tom pack. I'll try moving it round the car and see if that makes a difference. Thanks

[lbendlin]

Sometimes the windshields are coated for anit-glare. This does attenuate the GPS signal considerably. Either find the weak spot (most of the times an area behind the center mirror), or try to put the receiver on the outside of the car. But please be aware that it is not completely waterproof.
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

[Dave]

If you have a heat reflective windscreen or even a heater coil in the windscreen this can cause problems. Easiest way is to take the GPS outside of the car and see if you get a fix, then check the sat bars you have, then move it back in and you'll probably see the signal strength drop considerably. If this happens there's several options available. Like Lutz said, these cars tend to have a weak spot for toll transmitting behind the rear view mirror. If you don't get a signal there, either the far left or far right of the dash around the bottom corner edge of the windscreen sometimes you can find you'll get a signal. If that doesn't work, then you have two options, the first is use the GPS Receiver outside on the roof of the car (providing it's waterproof), or the better option would be to purchase a Re-Radiating Antenna which will re-radiate the signal from outside the car to inside the car. Check out our reviews of the Re-Radiating Antenna s.

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