GPS Antenna Location?

[dsmonline]

Anyone know where the actual GPS antenna is located on trucks that have the Nav system? Found some documentation that showed it on the dash near the steering wheel, however I be darn if I can find it. I know the GPS indicator in the Nav unit goes away in about 10 seconds when you go into an underground garage, so I should be able to put a magazine over locations around there and have it go away, in theory that is.

[Tornado 23]

Right in front of steering wheeel on dash next to windshield little round button...

[Jumbo Jet]

I dont have nav. but I do have that same little button. I thought that was for the "auto headlights" feature. To let the car know its dark out and turn on the head lights.

[dsmonline]

Originally Posted by Tornado 23

Right in front of steering wheeel on dash next to windshield little round button...

That little button is indeed the auto dimmer for the headlights, covering it up does not remove the GPS from the Nav system.

[dsmonline]

Originally Posted by Toxarch

But did it turn on the lights when you covered it up?

You are going to need something more than a magazine to block the satellite signal. Try something with copper in/on it to block the signal. Paper doesn't block a radio wave very well. You need something metal, copper will work the best. Maybe a bag of pennies wold work.

The auto dimmer button does dim the interior dash lights when covered up, usually within 10 seconds or so. Placing a large cookie sheet over this button or any other part of the dash or windshield does not take the GPS indicator away from the Nav system, however pulling into my garage does, so it appears that the GPS antenna is indeed hidden.

One atta-boy for who first finds it and posts where it is.

[Skyhammerz]

This is where my Sat antenna is located on mine with Nav.Oops, that is my XM antenna, sorry.

[dsmonline]

Originally Posted by Toxarch

Here's a picture from a different Toyota:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...-118954461.gif

Maybe the Tundra is the same.

I tried the cookie sheet over this area, did not take the signal away. Radio signals can't go through a metal cookie sheet could they? At least we know what it probably looks like now.

Does anyone have access to the 2007 repair manual and can look this up?

[PAUL FOX]

Isn't it built into the NAV/Audio Unit itself?

[dsmonline]

Originally Posted by PAUL FOX

Isn't it built into the NAV/Audio Unit itself?

Maybe, however covering the entire area of the Nav Unit with a cookie sheet does not block the signal to it.

[Stripped Honda]

this is a dumb qestion but why would you want to cover it ???

[dsmonline]

Originally Posted by Toxarch

I was kinda wondering that myself. Maybe he's afraid "Big Brother" is keeping tabs on him and tracking his movements.

Naw, just curious as to where it was. Was waiting in the truck for the wife to come back from the ATM one day and tried to find it by covering up parts of the dash and had no luck. You know once you try something, gotta find the answer or it bugs you.

It is kind of interesting that a 12" x 18" cookie sheet over the now known antenna location still allows a signal thru somehow.

[billcd]

Originally Posted by Stripped Honda

this is a dumb qestion but why would you want to cover it ???

Jack Bauer is after him.

[chipmulgrew]

Originally Posted by dsmonline

It is kind of interesting that a 12" x 18" cookie sheet over the now known antenna location still allows a signal thru somehow.

I have the Nav system and it appears that my GPS symbol is on even while in a closed garage. On my last Nav system the GPS signal would turn off. I just tried the diagnostics that were posted here and the signal appears to be updating even while in the garage.? Pretty powerful antenna.