[Hang]

Hi all,

I recently bought a new Toyota Highlander Limited edition 08, without the Navigation system option, no onboard GPS. The problem that I have with this SUV is that it interferes with portable GPS reception. I have try 3 brand of GPS, Magellan, Garmin, and TomTom, now and they all don't work in the Highlander.

The GPS doesn't pick up satellites reception well when it is use in the Highlander. Even when it works, pick up good satellites reception, it only last about 10 mins then it would lose all satellites signal. Like I mentioned above I have try 3 different GPS, so is not the GPS faults and all these GPS works fine in other vehicles, just not the Highlander.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to fix this problem I am greatly appreciated. I have try to look for a solution on google but didn't find anything so I hope I could find some answer here.

Thanks,
Hang

 

[lucky777]

My Mio 310x GPS works just fine with factory windshield suction mount. I have base 4WD 08HL with winter package (electric windshield heater if that matters).

 

[neax]

That's an odd problem. Both of my Magellan's (Maestro 3100 & 3200) work fine in my Sport getting 4 full bars of strength all the time.

I have heard of this and some say the Homelink transmitter can affect the GPS.

I have the Homelink in the Mirror (GENK45) http://www.mitocorp.com/flash/homelinkautodimmingmirrors.htm But I have no problem even when I depress the homelink button.

Have you tried the GPS on battery and then walk towards the Highlander, then get in and see how/if the GPS's strength indicator changes?

Try it with the Highlander turned off with keys removed as another test.

 

[adavid]

I have an 08 HL Sport with Homelink and the Winter Package. I also have a Mio GPS, and have no problems. My wife has a Garmin Nuvi 260. I'll grab that tomorrow and give it a try in the Highlander.

 

[NetWhiz]

I have an 08 Limited fully loaded with a TomTom and I get perfect reception in the front seat. I do have a moon roof and it works wether the shade is open or closed.

 

[DeWat]

You may also want to check any other electronics that you are running. All electronic devices radiate radio signals... the reason for aircraft rules (another long debated argument). The signal radiated by another device might be blocking the reception of your GPS. I have an older Uniden scanner that will block my Garmin's GPS-12 and GPS-V signals when the scanner is tracking the Arlington Co, VA Gov't. Works fine all other times, but each time the scanner stops on an Arlington Co signal, I watch the GPS reception bars disappear. A royal pain until I was finally able to isolate the cause, after that, it was fun to reproduce and watch.

DeWat

 

[peterfreedom]

Could it be a Bluetooth issue? Does the limited edition have Bluetooth to use with your cellular phone? Maybe it is around the same frequency than GPS Satellites signal?

Try to turn it off.

The only other thing I could see would be interference from Spark plugs or FM transmitter for your MP3 player that could be too strong.

 

[neax]

I have the Bluetooth in addition to the Homelink. No problems with the GPS when I use the Bluetooth.

 

[toyo9494]

I drove my new Sports 4WD home with Nav ( last week ), also using my Garmin Nuvi 250 together, no problem at all, the only was they gave me two different directions, anyway, I just need to get to know how to use the NAV in my highlander. ( I also have bluetooth on my sports ) no problem at all.

 

[McNose13]

Location

One thing I didn't see mentioned/questioned, is the location of the GPS. Where are you putting them, when the don't work?

My father has a Garmin Nuvi 350 and mounts it to the driver side A-pillar of his '08 Sport HL, and has no problems.

Also, my mother has a 350 in her '07 Camry, with bluetooth, and she has no problems with it mounted on the center console (which is pretty much in the middle of the car).

Good luck finding a place where it works... if not, buy a bunch of maps.

b

 

[pbsled]

Blackberry 8830 GPS in Highlander

I have been using my phone (Blackberry 8830) for my GPS. The phone has not changed, but it worked fine with no issue on my last car (02 Passat Wagon). However, in the Highlander it only works if you hold it up by the windshield. In the Passat I could set it in the console and it worked fine.

I would say that all the electronics, and smart key stuff is giving enough interference to degrade performance of the weaker GPS receivers. If I really cared I would need to dash mount my phone I guess or get something better.

 

[omniwatch]

I’m experiencing similar problems using my Garmin Quest inside my Pick-up. I mount the GPS against the front wind shield just bellow the rear view mirror but the reception is very poor. I do not have tinted windshields.

I also noticed when approaching the vehicle with a portable GPS of any brand that the received signal faints away. Even with the GPS mounted outside the vehicle, just above the front wind shield there is no signal. How ever with an external antenna the received signal is much stronger but still about half the strength of what it is 10 meters away from the vehicle

 

[eddiefromcali]

they're watching :spy:

 

[TrailDust]

I’m experiencing similar problems using my Garmin Quest inside my Pick-up. I mount the GPS against the front wind shield just bellow the rear view mirror but the reception is very poor. I do not have tinted windshields.

I also noticed when approaching the vehicle with a portable GPS of any brand that the received signal faints away. Even with the GPS mounted outside the vehicle, just above the front wind shield there is no signal. How ever with an external antenna the received signal is much stronger but still about half the strength of what it is 10 meters away from the vehicle

I use a handheld Magellan GPS unit when out in the boonies with no problems. IMO, the primary source of the problem is with the antenna fitted to a specific brand of GPS unit. The antennas are extremely important for a GPS's ability to receive a signal, much more so than other electronic devices due to the frequency used by the system. If I start my GPS in my HL it takes forever for it to acquire enough satellites for a 3D fix, but normally I step outside the vehicle for the initial fix, then go inside and place the Magellan in the console cup holder. I'm usually still able to retain 5 or more satellites for a constant 3D fix with that setup/situation.

The other thing that can affect the GPS signal is the window, and I'm not talking about any coatings either. The thickness of the glass, but especially the angle of the glass to the GPS unit is important as refraction of the signal passing through the glass (depending on the height and azimuth of a particular GPS satellite) affects both reception and accuracy. Every GPS will have different issues with different vehicles, but for myself using a Magellan Explorist 600 with a Highlander there's virtually no problem.

-

 

[Yazon]

Pioneer portable navi works here....It may be your area/clouds/buildings/trees that gets poor signal which is exaggerated by HL shape?

 

[peterfreedom]

Using a Magellan Maestro 4250 without any problems

I use my Magellan Maestro for 4000 km last summer without any problems. It was mounted on the windshield with a suction cup.

I remember that the first time I turned it ON it did not acquired any satellite. Then the second time it was OK.

 

[omniwatch]

I do know the working of a GPS. Read my thread again. It is not some thing in the way.

 

[TrailDust]

I do know the working of a GPS. Read my thread again. It is not some thing in the way.

Then the only thing I can think of is some electronic device aboard you Highlander is transmitting in the GPS system's frequency range and effectively jamming it. The alarm system perhaps? How old is your Garmin Quest? More up-to-date GPS units are more resistant to outside jamming sources.

 

[omniwatch]

Thanks I'll check for frequencies with a spectrum anelyzer from my friend.

 

[miketkanne]

My Mio 310x GPS works just fine with factory windshield suction mount. I have base 4WD 08HL with winter package (electric windshield heater if that matters).

Is it a Hybrid? What year? It seems like they did something with the windshield for 08 and 09 to block radio signals so that the keyless start and bluetooth work better.