2016 Tahoe Compass Doesn't Work

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steve45

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Just picked up a 2016 Tahoe. The compass doesn't work, it just gives a CAL (calibration) warning.

The owner's manual says that it should hook up to GPS and start working after driving a few miles. We don't have the Onstar activated, so no GPS, I guess.

Anybody know how to make it work?
 

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Just picked up a 2016 Tahoe. The compass doesn't work, it just gives a CAL (calibration) warning.

The owner's manual says that it should hook up to GPS and start working after driving a few miles. We don't have the Onstar activated, so no GPS, I guess.

Anybody know how to make it work?
Go out into a large enough area to drive around in full circles, like a BIG empty field or parking lot, drive around in a few circles one direction, then switch and drive around in a few circles the other direction it will then self-calibrate. If it goes back to CAL again, just repeat the process a 2nd time.
 
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steve45

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Go out into a large enough area to drive around in full circles, like a BIG empty field or parking lot, drive around in a few circles one direction, then switch and drive around in a few circles the other direction it will then self-calibrate. If it goes back to CAL again, just repeat the process a 2nd time.
I'll try it and report back.
 
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steve45

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I tried driving in circles, about 200 feet in diameter, 3 times in each direction. No change. It displays 'CAL'.

I did not do it again, perhaps tomorrow.
 

Tk59194

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Had this problem on wife's 2016. Ended up being the shark fin antennae. The gasket fails and moisture gets inside it. Was around 250 for replacement.
 

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Wes
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ya that's a possibility as well, if it didn't fix it driving in circles something else is up.
 
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steve45

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I changed the shark fin antenna today--SUCCESS! The compass works, and the GPS works!

The outside air temperature is squirrely, but I'll give it time.

Thanks for the input!

Oh, yea, I couldn't find an affordable antenna the same color as my Tahoe. I bought one that wasn't the right color and swapped covers. Six screws, easy.
 

wjburken

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I changed the shark fin antenna today--SUCCESS! The compass works, and the GPS works!

The outside air temperature is squirrely, but I'll give it time.

Thanks for the input!

Oh, yea, I couldn't find an affordable antenna the same color as my Tahoe. I bought one that wasn't the right color and swapped covers. Six screws, easy.
What do you mean by the outside air temperature is squirrelly? Is it not showing a temperature or is it showing an odd temperature? The sensor itself is located behind the grill on the passenger side of the frame that is in front of your radiator if I am not mistaken.
 

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