Newbie here. GPS issues with my new(used) iPhone 5 - GSM-Forum

tjlmbklr · 06-19-2014, 15:26

I am a 4 generation iPhone user. I know the basic tips and tricks to reset, restore (including DFU) and I have done some minor repairs like screens, proximity sensors and antennas, etc. This is a GSM unlocked iPhone 5 now using Straight Talk. It has an issue with the GPS. Surprisingly a web search has found no real answers. Using the free GPS Status app always shows a Poor to Bad Fix. When I open Google Maps it shows my location but when I type in an address and start to navigate to it my location is off by a 100-200 yards/meters. Then it can't follow me during my travels. On a side note, the frame of the phone has a few dings and scratches like it may have taken a tumble or 2.

So the question is, what is the failure? Is there a bad antenna or something failed on the motherboard itself?

If this is something that can be repaired replaced at a resonable cost I will attempt it. If it cannot be fixed or the cost is too much I will either live with it or just get another phone.

Thanks!

tjlmbklr · 06-20-2014, 23:51

Just a little bump since I am desperate.

ainsoftinc · 06-21-2014, 05:59

Well as far as I know the antenna for the GPS is at the top of the phone (in the middle), in order to replace it you would have to take out the logic board. Please note that it has to be soldered to the logic board, so if you actually ever took the phone's logic board out it is actually possible that the antenna is damaged (sounds like it to me, because all you're having is a bad signal).

I'd say move from there anyways, an antenna is quite cheap, like 2 bucks from eBay.

tjlmbklr · 06-24-2014, 04:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ainsoftinc

Well as far as I know the antenna for the GPS is at the top of the phone (in the middle), in order to replace it you would have to take out the logic board. Please note that it has to be soldered to the logic board, so if you actually ever took the phone's logic board out it is actually possible that the antenna is damaged (sounds like it to me, because all you're having is a bad signal).

I'd say move from there anyways, an antenna is quite cheap, like 2 bucks from eBay.

So what you're saying is the antenna on this phone is soldered to the main board? I am not equipted to solder that small in detail.

06-19-2014, 15:26	#1 (permalink)
tjlmbklr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 3 Member: 2207625 Status: Offline Thanks Meter: 0	Newbie here. GPS issues with my new(used) iPhone 5 I am a 4 generation iPhone user. I know the basic tips and tricks to reset, restore (including DFU) and I have done some minor repairs like screens, proximity sensors and antennas, etc. This is a GSM unlocked iPhone 5 now using Straight Talk. It has an issue with the GPS. Surprisingly a web search has found no real answers. Using the free GPS Status app always shows a Poor to Bad Fix. When I open Google Maps it shows my location but when I type in an address and start to navigate to it my location is off by a 100-200 yards/meters. Then it can't follow me during my travels. On a side note, the frame of the phone has a few dings and scratches like it may have taken a tumble or 2. So the question is, what is the failure? Is there a bad antenna or something failed on the motherboard itself? If this is something that can be repaired replaced at a resonable cost I will attempt it. If it cannot be fixed or the cost is too much I will either live with it or just get another phone. Thanks!

06-20-2014, 23:51	#2 (permalink)
tjlmbklr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 3 Member: 2207625 Status: Offline Thanks Meter: 0	Just a little bump since I am desperate.

06-21-2014, 05:59	#3 (permalink)
ainsoftinc Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: ainsoftinc.com Posts: 13 Member: 2064306 Status: Offline Thanks Meter: 1	Well as far as I know the antenna for the GPS is at the top of the phone (in the middle), in order to replace it you would have to take out the logic board. Please note that it has to be soldered to the logic board, so if you actually ever took the phone's logic board out it is actually possible that the antenna is damaged (sounds like it to me, because all you're having is a bad signal). I'd say move from there anyways, an antenna is quite cheap, like 2 bucks from eBay.