Accessing the built-in GPS antenna - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

kuaffa · 09-06-2005, 05:27 AM

My car has BMW assist (and hence GPS with an antenna), but no Navigation. Is there any way to use the internal antenna with an external GPS device, such as Garmin IQue 3600, which has an MCX connector?

On a related note, does anybody know where the built-in GPS receiver is installed?

Thanks.

YYdoodle · 09-06-2005, 08:49 AM

the GPS antenna/receiver is part of the shark fin antenna, at least according to this thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=19186

zrfarrar · 07-18-2006, 09:42 PM

I'd also like to find out where the GPS antenna lead terminates. Want to hook up to my BT GPS reciever/PDA nav system.

ages944 · 07-18-2006, 09:53 PM

I'd love to know as well.

blynch1 · 07-18-2006, 10:30 PM

The gps cables are in the trunk right behind the back seats. Just put the rear seats down and lift up the carpet and they should be bundled with some velcro along with the sat radio and phone cords. I checked mine and they are really easy to get to. I was thinking about getting a gps kit for my motorola q and was wondering if any of the bluetooth gps receivers can plug into the gps cord going to the shark fin? This would give a very clean install if I could just hook it up back there out of sight while getting excellent reception. Anyone know about this?

HRC · 07-18-2006, 10:58 PM

Interested!

Danny

zrfarrar · 07-18-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blynch1

The gps cables are in the trunk right behind the back seats. Just put the rear seats down and lift up the carpet and they should be bundled with some velcro along with the sat radio and phone cords. I checked mine and they are really easy to get to. I was thinking about getting a gps kit for my motorola q and was wondering if any of the bluetooth gps receivers can plug into the gps cord going to the shark fin? This would give a very clean install if I could just hook it up back there out of sight while getting excellent reception. Anyone know about this?

Although I haven't seen the GPS Antenna terminal yet (getting my E90 ED in Sept), I believe that you should be able to hook into the E90 antenna so long as your GPS reciever has an external antenna jack. I just ordered this one:

http://semsons.com/hogpwigpsres.html

I'm hoping to do exactly what you described. The Holux has the external antenna jack and works with both BT and USB. That'll give me both PDA and Laptop Nav (possible carputer in the future). That's the plan anyway. Thanks for the info!

Lifter · 11-02-2006, 02:31 AM

Any new info on this? I just got a PDA Phone and was hoping to use the fin for the GPS antenna.

jbl16 · 12-26-2006, 09:02 AM

Same here

iBMW · 12-31-2006, 09:46 AM

Hi, any update or pics on the termination...
Would like to do the same..

Cheers

09-06-2005, 05:27 AM	#1
kuaffa Member Drives: 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Accessing the built-in GPS antenna My car has BMW assist (and hence GPS with an antenna), but no Navigation. Is there any way to use the internal antenna with an external GPS device, such as Garmin IQue 3600, which has an MCX connector? On a related note, does anybody know where the built-in GPS receiver is installed? Thanks.
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07-18-2006, 09:53 PM	#4
ages944 Captain Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs Posts: 992 iTrader: (0)	I'd love to know as well. __________________ BMW : Sine qua non Mods: Blacklines \| Rear Seat Power Outlets \| Rear Fog Lights \| Ashtray Garage Door Opener

07-18-2006, 10:58 PM	#6
HRC MAUI BUILT Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL Posts: 7,766 iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Interested! Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box

12-26-2006, 09:02 AM	#9
jbl16 Private First Class Drives: BMW 330i ZSP MT Join Date: May 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 144 iTrader: (0)	Same here __________________ '06 330i TiAG Black/Al interior ZSP.

09-06-2005, 08:49 AM	#2
YYdoodle Captain Drives: E92 M3 fanatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MD Posts: 666 iTrader: (0)	the GPS antenna/receiver is part of the shark fin antenna, at least according to this thread http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=19186

07-18-2006, 09:42 PM	#3
zrfarrar Member Drives: soon: '06 325i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	I'd also like to find out where the GPS antenna lead terminates. Want to hook up to my BT GPS reciever/PDA nav system.

07-18-2006, 10:30 PM	#5
blynch1 Enlisted Member Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: IN Posts: 37 iTrader: (0)	The gps cables are in the trunk right behind the back seats. Just put the rear seats down and lift up the carpet and they should be bundled with some velcro along with the sat radio and phone cords. I checked mine and they are really easy to get to. I was thinking about getting a gps kit for my motorola q and was wondering if any of the bluetooth gps receivers can plug into the gps cord going to the shark fin? This would give a very clean install if I could just hook it up back there out of sight while getting excellent reception. Anyone know about this?

11-02-2006, 02:31 AM	#8
Lifter New Member Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	Any new info on this? I just got a PDA Phone and was hoping to use the fin for the GPS antenna.

12-31-2006, 09:46 AM	#10
iBMW Enlisted Member Drives: 320i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Asia Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	Hi, any update or pics on the termination... Would like to do the same.. Cheers