Jeep Navigation Not Working: Fix For Wrangler & Cherokee
Recently I met one of my friends who lives in Chicago and visited the art institute and science museum for the first time, only depending on the Jeep navigation system.
The navigation system is not a simple app that helps travelers to reach one place to another, and there are a lot of life-saving benefits of this modern system.
It helps to reach the destination on time, improve fuel mileage and reduce fuel cost, new drivers to drive without hesitation, find cost and time effective root and abate accidents.
Though there are a lot of benefits of GPS, sometimes it seems too funny when your jeep navigation shows that you are on sea or another planet. All the benefits I have said just now seem abortive when you find navigation issues in your jeep.
Is your jeep navigation not working on your wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, compass, or patriots? Then, this article is all about jeep GPS or navigation problems with a step by step solution guide.
7 Reasons Why Jeep Navigation Not Working
The jeep navigation system mainly doesn’t work for cable issues, power issues, GPS antenna or sensor problems, settings issues, traveling in an isolated area, resetting or updating issues, and using multiple networking devices in your vehicle.
All of the symptoms and causes of jeep wrangler or Cherokee navigation issues are well explained with the proper solution in my article.
1. Cables And Power Issue
Is your Uconnect screen black, Uconnect audio not working, music system not playing? Then the main problem is not on your GPS, and I think Uconnect is the main source of the GPS issue.
If you find everything is okay and there are no problems with the jeep voltage regulator and battery, then it’s clearly indicating that the navigation system is facing trouble in your Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee.
When you are sure that the exact problem is from GPS, then take the following steps and never forget to examine the Uconnect and antenna cable.
2. GPS Antenna Or Sensor Issue
Your jeep navigation gets signals from the satellite via a small sensor or a GPS antenna. So, whatever you find on the Uconnect or GPS device screen, all the networking data you are getting from the GPS sensor or antenna.
If anyhow, your GPS antenna doesn’t work, the whole navigation function will be abortive in your jeep. It might happen for several reasons like an older antenna, bad installation, faulty antenna cable, and others.
When you find there is no issue with the Uconnect system, then reinstall the antenna or sensor in some open place. In my opinion, setting a GPS antenna on the roof or front side of the jeep is the most suitable solution for the GPS antenna issue if you can provide proper protection from rain and dust.
If the cable or the sensor is the exact reason for the jeep navigation problem, replace them with a better version.
3. Settings Issue
The electrical device manufacturer of your car or jeep always ensures settings function for better usability in their modern items. You can use and control multiple programs from setting options, and GPS settings are one of them.
When all the metrics related to navigation are okay, then give a small peek at the navigation settings. Find out if anything is unmatched with the navigation settings and take your next step.
If you find any GPS option like screen, maps, or sensor that is disallowed from settings, activate it with a simple touch. Show the GPS settings to an expert when you can’t understand the function.
4. Traveling In An Isolated Area
Most of the time, Off-road vehicles like jeeps or trucks run in remote and inaccessible areas for much fun and thrill. Sometimes it brings trouble for the drivers when they try to use the jeep’s Uconnect navigation system.
in an isolated area, a GPS sensor or antenna can’t find signals when large trees or other things cover the vehicle. When it fails to find a positive signal via the antenna, it can’t show your desired map or function on the screen.
If your jeep navigation system is in an isolated area, take your vehicle to an open place where the sensor can meet the sky directly.
5. Using Multiple Wireless Devices
From jeep Rubicon to Willys, XJ to TJ, every vehicle’s driver’s side is adorned with a lot of functionality for extra fun. You can do a lot of things like listening to constant music, browsing the internet, remote chatting, or mobile connecting in a newer jeep.
Sometimes, using multiple networks on your vehicle makes other functions harder to run and creates jeep radio problems, GPS problems, or key fob problems.
When the navigation system is not working in your jeep, solve it in a different way by shutting down all other devices. Then only play the GPS, and I think it might give you the easiest solution.
6. Using Tent
Are you using any tent or umbrella tent on the front side of your jeep that makes a shadow over the GPS antenna? If the answer is yes, it’s confirmed that your jeep navigation system is not getting adequate signals for the tent over the jeep.
When you are in that condition, cut some of the parts of the tent so that the GPS antenna can meet the sky directly.
7. Resetting And Updating Issue
Are you using the same GPS device in your jeep for a long time without a system update? If your GPS device is taking much loading time when you open it, it’s a clear indication that there are problems in Uconnect, or the system is in trouble matching with the older version.
When everything related to GPS from the antenna to Uconnect seems perfect, a reset or system update could be the last solution before going to a mechanic.
Go to your GPS or Uconnect setting option and find the system update option and then allow it to update. Some devices show resetting options like an update in the setting bar; if you don’t find out this option in an older jeep from 2008 to 2015, try it in a manual way.
| Causes of jeep navigation problems | Solutions | Cost without mechanic charge |
| Cables and power issue | Check GPS antenna cable and Uconnect power | $25 to $200 |
| GPS antenna or sensor issue | Place the antenna in the right place | $0 |
| Settings issue | Allow navigation options that are blocked | $0 |
| Traveling in an isolated area | Take the vehicle into an open space | $0 |
| Using multiple wireless devices | Shut down other devices | $0 |
| Using tent | Cut extra part of the tent with a cutter that covers the antenna | $10 to $20 |
| Reset and update the issue | Go to settings and find those options | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset my Jeep NAV?
Is Uconnect Navigation free?
Does Uconnect Navigation update automatically?
Conclusion
A navigation system is a crucial feature for any traveler who has an off-road vehicle like a jeep. It diverts driver comfort to another level and makes the journeying more soothing. On the other hand, it decreases vehicle performance and makes travelers hesitate in an unknown place when their jeep navigation is not working.
In this article, I have tried my best to make your travel more meaningful by solving the jeep GPS issue. So, comment to me below with your exact jeep and GPS model, and I will let you know the more precise solutions.
