Topic: GPS and Window Tint? What's going on?

[ngraz]

Ok so i bought a brand new chevy avalanche ltz with navigation and today i decided to go ahead and tint the windows. i tinted them to 25% and it seems to be that i can't pick up a GPS signal for the nav. Anyone had the same problem with something like this. Also where the hell is the actual GPS antenna? Any ideas would be great but i need to act relatively fast if i want to try to get the 100$ back for tinting two windows if i can't get the gps to work.

Thanks

[Donnie1]

If I'm not mistaken, the GPS antenna should be behind the dash. Could possibly be behind the nirror as well. Did you get just the side windows done or the eyebrow across the windshield as well? If you got the eyebrow, that may have been enough to block signal but I wouldn't think so.

[ngraz]

No, i only had the driver and passenger windows done, it's been driving me nuts all day though i havent even had the truck for a week. buti i did just go outside and sit in the driveway with the doors open and it aquired a signal. I have been looking at different articles online and some people are saying that you need a carbon based tint. who knows any one else with some more suggestions would be great.

[Donnie1]

WOW I would never have imagined that. Will be interesting to see if that is the issue, but if it works with the doors open, that may be it. Does it acquire with the windows down?

[MyBigToy]

No, i only had the driver and passenger windows done, it's been driving me nuts all day though i havent even had the truck for a week. buti i did just go outside and sit in the driveway with the doors open and it aquired a signal. I have been looking at different articles online and some people are saying that you need a carbon based tint. who knows any one else with some more suggestions would be great.

You probably had metallic tint installed and yes, it will block the GPS antenna signal, depending on where the antenna is located. My CTS has the radio antenna in the rear window so I went with ceramic tint so it wouldn't interfere with the signal. You may end up needing the remove and re-tint. I know, that's not the kind of news you wanted to hear.

[oHIobellboy]

The GPS antenna is located right above and forward of the radio under the dash. Here's a pix from the service manual.

[Donnie1]

The GPS antenna is located right above and forward of the radio under the dash. Here's a pix from the service manual.

That's where I thought it. So I wonder why the side windows being tinted would affect that?

[oHIobellboy]

That's where I thought it. So I wonder why the side windows being tinted would affect that?

If it's got a metallic base it just may be enough to hinder the signal as Joe mentioned. We need to wait to hear back from the OP to see if it works ok with his windows down. If so, time to get that tint changed.

I'm glad this thread came up as I've been considering getting mine done and that would drive me absolutely nuts

[tdybr27]

If it's got a metallic base it just may be enough to hinder the signal as Joe mentioned. We need to wait to hear back from the OP to see if it works ok with his windows down. If so, time to get that tint changed.

I'm glad this thread came up as I've been considering getting mine done and that would drive me absolutely nuts

That's a short drive there Mike.   In fact might have to put it in reverse.