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GPS Problems? Possible Hardware Solution

So I came across this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101066) thread in the DHD forum the other day, and had mixed feelings about it. In theory it makes sense, but in practice it seems kind of scary. Anyway, I've had GPS issues on and off since I got my Inspire, sometimes it would work excellent, sometimes it would kind of work, sometimes it wouldn't work at all. I've tried every software solution I could think of (new radios, gps script, reinstalling locations, wiping EFS partition, etc), and I figured my problem had to be hardware, but I'd never seen a hardware solution offered until I came across this thread. First off I would like to say that I have not tried this fix yet, however I'm inclined to and here's why:
After reading this, I started thinking, "OK, so it's just not getting good enough pressure on the GPS antennae contacts, wonder what would happen if I tried to apply manual pressure?" So I launched GPS Test and watched it find 2 or 3 satellites, but didn't lock after about a minute. So I applied pressure to the battery flash/GPS cover, 1 finger on the top of it 1 finger on the bottom, making sure not to cover the hole. What happened? Immediately it found 9 satellites and locked to 20ft, showing better connections to the satellites than i've EVER seen. I let off the pressure and watched as the signal strength to these satellites dropped intensely, went back to 2 or 3 satellites, and lost the lock. I again applied pressure, got a bunch of satellites back and got an immediate lock.
Before I go about taking my phone apart and trying to fix these contacts from the inside, I wanted to see if applying pressure on the back flash/GPS cover improved anything for anybody else, or if it's just my imagination. Please report back

I havn't had any problems with my gps, but if the problem you are having is what I was having I would be cracking the phone open to fix it...
I dont mind taking things apart

My GPS works, but there's some disconnect between Navigation and the GPS, I sware. If I run Navigation by itself, then I lose signal 2-3 minutes after getting a lock. If I run My Tracks in the background, then it stays locked.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App

3 Inspires, no GPS issues at all, but it makes sense and doesn't look difficult at all. Go for it.

Well I tried it. I can't say if it was me applying pressure or me just getting lucky with signal and clear skies...but I locked to 7 very quickly and it found my location with in 20 feet here as well.
Interesting...
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

cwhitney24 said:
Well I tried it. I can't say if it was me applying pressure or me just getting lucky with signal and clear skies...but I locked to 7 very quickly and it found my location with in 20 feet here as well.
Interesting...
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool deal
not bad and it didnt seem that hard to do, keep checking on it to make sure for the next few days

cwhitney24 said:
Well I tried it. I can't say if it was me applying pressure or me just getting lucky with signal and clear skies...but I locked to 7 very quickly and it found my location with in 20 feet here as well.
Interesting...
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, I just tried applying pressure and got 8 meter lock on inside my house. My GPS usually NEVER locks on, even outside in clear skies. Wtf.
Edit: And now it's working all the time. I love you.

It didn't hurt to apply pressure to the area where you said the gps contacts are. So I opened up gps status in my home. Let it try and find some satellites on its own. Nothing was happening for a few seconds. Then I applied pressure to where the flash is on our phones one finger above the flash and the other below the flash. It then fixes satellites on my phone. And when I let go the fixed satellites dropped and my radius grew. I tried applying again and then it went back and started to drop. So I let go and it went up so I think the contacts are contacting and now I'm just covering up the gps but it seems to work. So now when I want to use gps ill remember this trick.
Thanks
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

I pried out the flash cover and noticed that the antenna contacts on the cover were oxidized except for the part where the corner of the spring contacts landed. I scraped away the oxidation with a sharp object and bent the spring contacts up a little bit to make a firmer connection and I immediately got a boost in GPS reception. I dont' know what metal makes up the antenna in the flash cover but it sounds like oxidation builds back up again after a couple of months. I'll keep an eye on it and post an update.

This is perfect! I just did it, took about ten minutes. After reboot I just locked to under 60ft indoors during Hurricane Irene.
Thanks so much for this, now I can stop reading all these damn gps threads!
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App

Another update: just locked to 24ft outside in less than 15 seconds.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App

GPS lock
Christ..I dont believe this.. I always have problems with Google Navigation getting satellite lock..and maps is usually like 1500-1600ft +or-... I did the pressure on the spots above and below the flash like you guys said... all of a sudden..boom! GPS lock inside my house..(never happens) and 9 satellites locked..(most I ever saw was 5 before when I was outside in a clear area.)..the GPS nav icon is almost on my house roof!

This issue puts it in perspective how bad the quality is on this device.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Wow can't believe there are this many people confirming this. I'll be adjusting my gps contacts in a a day or two and ill report back. Definitely seems like its gonna help a few of us anyway
signatures annoy me

I have actually noticed the same issues as you were describing. I have pushed on the back and waited and then found the signal got better. Then released the pressure and it got either worse or just stayed the same. Different results every now and then. I have also taken it apart and tried the DHD fixed that your describing and it worked excellent for a little bit then nothing. I'm returning it now to have HTC fix it. Probably the easiest way. Sucks not having a phone but at least they will give me a phone that does everything its supposed to. They were really nice about it too.

eryk4381 said:
I have actually noticed the same issues as you were describing. I have pushed on the back and waited and then found the signal got better. Then released the pressure and it got either worse or just stayed the same. Different results every now and then. I have also taken it apart and tried the DHD fixed that your describing and it worked excellent for a little bit then nothing. I'm returning it now to have HTC fix it. Probably the easiest way. Sucks not having a phone but at least they will give me a phone that does everything its supposed to. They were really nice about it too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a great thread. I fortunately do not have the issue on my device to where I need to mess with it, but experience tells me living in a somewhat temperate / rainly climate the contacts may oxidize / signal degrades over time. Good to know how to address it...I had an iPhone 3G I took apart at the end of its life. I had noticed the GPS was really sucking toward the end. Sure enough, plain old brown rust was evident on the GPS antenna contacts...

****, I wish I had known about this before I exchanged my Inspire at my AT&T store. I couldn't get GPS lock at all. It was a hassle, and I had all but narrowed it down to hardware, so this really makes sense.
The thread about my particular issues: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1203133

GPS fix for Captivate- Share experience

Hi all,
I found out that Captivate has GPS chip problem when it is COLD.
If you can warm it up it will work fine.
You can try it in warm environment.
While it is working, try to turn on AC in your car to cool it down and you will see it say GPS signal lost.
Turn off the AC and turn on the Heater to warm it up, GPS signal will be OK.
Good luck.

Interesting. Thanks for the tip. Will try it out in my friends cappy. He has issues with his GPS but mine has always been fine. Never had a problem even once.

I installed effingps.zip and went from no signal to 7-9 satelite locks in 10 seconds INDOORS.
great fix
knighted4

knighted4 said:
I installed effingps.zip and went from no signal to 7-9 satelite locks in 10 seconds INDOORS.
great fix
knighted4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post a link to the file or post the zip file.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

It's in Trusselo's EFFIN EH ROM thread #140
A simple search for effinGPS.zip found it.

ctrclckws said:
It's in Trusselo's EFFIN EH ROM thread #140
A simple search for effinGPS.zip found it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will that work on CM based roms? I'm guessing no, but I haven't been able to find an answer anywhere.

And here's a link, for those who want it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19631418&postcount=140
Good luck. I haven't flashed this yet, but will soon.

Well....i get a lock now!!!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S Captivate on Blue Apex

Temperature doesn't seem to affect mine. And no 'fix' has ever worked for me.
I don't care how long it takes to lock as long as it doesn't drift.
I did notice though, that the time is off by 24 hours when I do get a lock (according to GPS Test and GPS Status).
When I connect to my external Bluetooth receiver it is spot on.
Has anyone else had this experience? My guess is that the firmware is returning the wrong time, and that is making the positioning calculations impossible.

can someone explain why temperature would effect the GPS in any way? thanks..

zinkoxyde said:
When I connect to my external Bluetooth receiver it is spot on.
Has anyone else had this experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you mean time, or GPS being spot on. I haven't paid any attention to time when using GPS. But I have an external one, and it works MUCH BETTER, pretty much what I would call spot on.
However, the last couple times I"ve used it my phone has locked up. I am thinking it is the BT program I am using in order to use the external GPS. What blue tooth program are you using?

Will this work for my Captivate running mosaic 9?
Sent from my Captivate running Gingerbread

ewingr said:
Not sure if you mean time, or GPS being spot on. I haven't paid any attention to time when using GPS. But I have an external one, and it works MUCH BETTER, pretty much what I would call spot on.
However, the last couple times I"ve used it my phone has locked up. I am thinking it is the BT program I am using in order to use the external GPS. What blue tooth program are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both the time and the GPS location are correct when I use an external BT receiver (Delorme BT-20), but the time is exactly 24 hours off. That could definitely cause drift after initial lock (not to mention cause problems locking in the first place).
I use "Bluetooth GPS Mouse" by Argotronic. There is also a problem with the Captivate's Bluetooth implementation from what I've read. My bluetooth headphones, gps and obd-ii car scanner tool tend to lock up my handset from time to time. It seems to have a problem with sustained serial data communications over bluetooth.
Bluetooth GPS Mouse seems to be pretty stable as opposed to the other BT programs I've used, I guess you get what you pay for. It's a real hassle to drag around two devices on the off chance of needing directions.
I seem to remember stock AT&T Eclair being pretty good with GPS.
---------- Post added at 08:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------
grndnl said:
can someone explain why temperature would effect the GPS in any way? thanks..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some electronic components are sensitive to temperature. Temperature changes conductive properties, among other things (for example, metal expands when heated). Heat dissipation could also be a factor. Electronic boards can warp, components can separate from the board or the solder can crack. More likely in this case, it just looks like it's working. I've seen tons of people claiming different things have fixed the GPS. Until I can get a lock in standalone mode, and keep it, I'm not calling it fixed.
---------- Post added at 09:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 PM ----------
Seems I wasn't crazy about the time thing, but apparently it has only manifested since 2012 rolled around:
code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail? id=24000
This article is about the Tab, but it looks like it is across the board.

Hm i never really thought temperature could affect the gps chip, might have to do some testing.

expansion and contraction of metals possibly fouling the antenna connection is the only real thing I can think of. Anyway, for me there never was a real fix. moving to GB really helped but not enough to make the GPS really reliable. I finally got a replacement phone moving to a build 1101 and that has a pretty good gps that is useable in most circumstances and probably as good as a phone without dedicated antenna can get. Captivates all should have been recalled due to bad gps hardware in my opinion..of course that would have cost samsung a fortune. The phone is great otherwise.
brentett said:
Hm i never really thought temperature could affect the gps chip, might have to do some testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

did think heat could affect the gps chip, might have to do some testing thanks!

Is it true?So unbelievable!

Sounds like confirmation bias to me... I have had equally crappy GPS in both warm weather and cold.

BeowulfShaeffer said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19631418&postcount=140
Good luck. I haven't flashed this yet, but will soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did anyone else have luck installing effinGPS.zip?

crazyjerm1 said:
Did anyone else have luck installing effinGPS.zip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installed. Didn't help a worth a damn.

Instant improvement to WIFI signal! by as much as 2-3 Bars!

OK, so I know i kinda just posted something along the following lines in another forum to try and help someone with a week wifi signal.
but after doing some research through the forums i noticed that it doesn't look like this issue has really been covered before. maybe because everyone has already noticed it,? and I'm the idiot for figuring it out later? or maybe some people dont really notice it, like i didn't at first.
But if you sometimes struggle from a weak wifi signal, you might be able to instantly increase you wifi strength by as much as 2-3 bars by doing 1 simple thing!...
what is this magical wifi booster you may ask?
its simple really, its as simple as watching the placement of your hand's while holding the device,
i know, i know it may be obvious to some of you but to some people like me who may not pay attention to something as simple as that, this information may help a noob or two...
you see the WIFI antenna on the G2X is located at the top of the phone. and by doing a simple experiment you can see the dramatic effect placing your hand near the top does, or even simply just placing your finger on the top which if your like me you probably sometimes do while playing video games, or while trying to hold the phone in one hand while using that secret app you have on your phone while in the bathroom at work... or you know whatever... and such,
but anyhow if you are connected to wifi you can see you WIFI signal drop as much as 2-3 bars just by simply placing your hand in the wrong position. or even from simply placing it on a desk or level surface. there really is an optimal position to hold the phone at the bottom. hope this helped at least someone..

korny647 said:
If anyone struggles from weak WiFi signal, you might be able to instantly increase your signal strength by as much as 2-3 bars by doing one simple thing!
What is this magical Wi-Fi booster you may ask?
It's simple really, just watch the placement of your hand's while holding the device.
You see, the Wi-Fi antenna on the G2X is located at the top of the phone.
(By doing a simple experiment you can see the dramatic effect placing your hand near the top does, placing your finger on the top, or even from simply placing it on a desk or any level surface. You can see your Wi-Fi signal drop as much as 2-3 bars.)
The best optimal position to hold the phone is at the bottom.
Hope this helped at least someone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to pick on you, but that was pretty painful to read.
This is good information for some, so i've created a cut and dry edition for all to read.
Hope this gets stickied!

Ya I was bored and just typed this up real fast. Guess ill preview it next time!
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA

If your right next to the router it might not have such a dramatic effect. It will just go right through. But if the signal is weekend. By distance, or especially through a wall. It makes a big difference.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA

korny647 said:
If your right next to the router it might not have such a dramatic effect. It will just go right through. But if the signal is weekend. By distance, or especially through a wall. It makes a big difference.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am less than 10 feet away from my router and covering the top made it drop 2 bars.
Good find! Never noticed it before but it might be really useful when you are in those on the edge of connection moments!
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk

Yes, similar to cell reception. One can also turn the phone 90°, lay it flat, etc if the signal is weak and see if there is improvement.
Sent from my G2x running AOKP ICS

Tl;dr Don't cover the wi-fi antenna, which is at the top of the phone. You took wayyyyyy too long to say it.
Sent from my amazing LG G2x running Bionix Reloaded v1.4

Klathmon said:
I am less than 10 feet away from my router and covering the top made it drop 2 bars.
Good find! Never noticed it before but it might be really useful when you are in those on the edge of connection moments!
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I wanted to do a quick write up.
But I was bored and I tend to ramble when I'm bored.
So Thnx to who cleaned it up.
" I think mine was funnier tho" if you a actually read thru it... lol :sly:
Sent from my G2X.
Rocking stock CM 7.2.0-RC1

theking_13 said:
Tl;dr Don't cover the wi-fi antenna, which is at the top of the phone. You took wayyyyyy too long to say it.
Yes I agree.
Sent from my amazing LG G2x running Bionix Reloaded v1.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

Yea I noticed I would drop a lot of bars if I was holding the phone sideways and watching a video.

Bloody crap gps.

Anybody else's gps connectivity generally crap? Seems to take for ever to connect then struggles to keep a connection.
Any known software conflicts? Running stock 2.35 rom.
No trees, walls, flying saucers in the way and Tried various gps info and fixer appear but to no avail.
Starting to really p*ss me off now.
Ta!
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

Yes, happens to me too. expecially when i go for walks. It takes reaally long time to load. Use Gpsfix ( Google it, Not able to post link because of post count) . It makes to process a lot faster.

khamoshpathak said:
Yes, happens to me too. expecially when i go for walks. It takes reaally long time to load. Use Gpsfix ( Google it, Not able to post link because of post count) . It makes to process a lot faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be warned that gpsfix adds air push adverts to your phone. You may want to also instal add-on detector to find and remove them.
OP: Are you using a case? You may find that without root, you can't change the agps server location (mine was set to Asia by default) so it takes a while to lock pulling satellite info via 3g from the other side of the planet!
GPS Status and toolbox (which doesn't need root) forces an AGPS data download on startup and might help. Make sure 3g is on.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium

Have observed that the GPS fix times are ROM dependent during my journey through many many excellent ROM's available for Desire S. I have even tried the AGPS fix which is recommended in the Dev section which was indeed helping to get a faster fix but the fix wasnt stable afterwards, especially while using apps like endomondo sports tracker..
The first ROM I saw that the GPS was excellent was in MIUI (GB) - without any AGPS or any other market apps or hacks I began to see a fix within 20 secs. Now, I'm presently on Reaper 2.2 (without AGPS fix) and the GPS continues to be excellent (<20 sec fixes).

I'm using ice cold sandwich with GPS+agps fix and find satellites in 3 seconds
Sent by my fingers to your head.

GPS fix issues can be as simple and HW-related as bad contact between the phone cover that includes GPS antenna (I guess it's the lower cover, but it might be an upper cover too), and the golden connector pin on the board. If you test all possible SW workarounds and they don't help - try to locate the antenna and make sure the connection is firm. Look for Vibrant GPS problems, they had such problem in the early batches.

For me the thread AGPS Patch Desire S 3.1 & 2.2 | GET BACK TO RAPID GPS LOCK, CAN LOCK ONTO MORE SATS helped a lot to get rapid GPS lock. Though, I'm not sure if root is needed for all installation methods. Good luck!
P.S.: The described patch is allready included in some custom roms like Endymion.

Jack_R1 said:
GPS fix issues can be as simple and HW-related as bad contact between the phone cover that includes GPS antenna (I guess it's the lower cover, but it might be an upper cover too), and the golden connector pin on the board. If you test all possible SW workarounds and they don't help - try to locate the antenna and make sure the connection is firm. Look for Vibrant GPS problems, they had such problem in the early batches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS and WiFi antennas are in the upper (camera lens) plastic cover, and, yes they use sprung pins to (hopefully) make connection. The phone antennas are in the lower (battery) cover.
I have found that many types of case massively deteriorate GPS reception of my phone. What puzzles me is why some users seem to be entirely unaffected; it's almost as if individual phones vary; even as an experienced engineer I cannot expalin it.

Since cases create mechanical pressure on the phone body and the contacts are very sensitive to their cover bending (they usually have a very light touch), it might be one of the reasons for reception deterioration. Sometimes even a hit of a falling phone can either destroy reception or improve it - saw it happening live on friend's Desire HD, it was very funny to see how the GPS that wouldn't lock properly for weeks, after the phone fell, started locking in 5 sec all of a sudden. Pure plastic cases shouldn't matter for reception otherwise, or at least I can't think of how can they possibly interfere.
By the way, Desire S' GPS is a bit on a weaker side - I compared it side-by-side to my MT4G, and it's always several lock seconds and a couple of locked satellites below. It should be plenty powerful for a good fast lock, though, and that's why I suspect disturbance on the HW side, rather than SW misconfiguration.

now that you guys are talking about cases, I was using a case mate barely there case before... long time ago gps fix was on the slow side (around a min).. but somewhere down the line of moving across ROM's I moved to MIUI GB (with the case still present) and the fix improved (without any AGPS patches or GPS fix apps).. now I dont use the case and have moved to Reaper CM7 based ROM and the GPS fixes are brilliant... looking at the build of Desire S I dont think that the contacts for GPS, wifi or phone antennas are at fault or can change with just a fall.. I can't pin the problem but I definitely feel removing the case has helped the gps fixes.

Jack_R1 said:
GPS fix issues can be as simple and HW-related as bad contact between the phone cover that includes GPS antenna (I guess it's the lower cover, but it might be an upper cover too), and the golden connector pin on the board. If you test all possible SW workarounds and they don't help - try to locate the antenna and make sure the connection is firm. Look for Vibrant GPS problems, they had such problem in the early batches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems legit. By so far I am experiencing also constant GPS problem. It really might be the problem. I will make a try and let here know how it goes.

Forwox said:
Seems legit. By so far I am experiencing also constant GPS problem. It really might be the problem. I will make a try and let here know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clining contact did not help..
adding some wires to the antena (made some improvement)..
Than i orderd "new antena" for 8 eur form "Taiwan".
no may fix quick and with 12-18m an i does not lose fix anymore..
(and now i have working gps.. after 1 year of trying roms and waiting for better radio firmwares)
---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:38 PM ----------
fasty said:
What puzzles me is why some users seem to be entirely unaffected; it's almost as if individual phones vary; even as an experienced engineer I cannot expalin it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have first version of gps antenna which has been silently improved..
I bougt new antena (upper cover) and wifi antena is printed the sesame number, but gps antena has an number increased by 10. (which by my means, mean new version)
And with "new antena" i have reliably working gps now.
(htc service (here in SLO) wanted th have the phone one service for 14 day-s thats teh reason i didnt apply for warranty repair)

on stock rom gps is really slow..i have that experience before,actually one of the reason i rooted mine...now,got gps locked in less than 15 minutes...(my gps always turn off,on when want to use navigation only)

oTeMpLo said:
Clining contact did not help..
adding some wires to the antena (made some improvement)..
Than i orderd "new antena" for 8 eur form "Taiwan".
no may fix quick and with 12-18m an i does not lose fix anymore..
(and now i have working gps.. after 1 year of trying roms and waiting for better radio firmwares)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's awesome! Could you please share a link to that item, please? I am really interested in that. I am still fighting with GPS. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't...

[FIX] Dropped my S3 caused GPS to be inaccurate

I dropped my S3 on the floor. There was no damage, but GPS stopped working accurately. I tried GPS fixes, but those did not work for me. Eventually I discovered that it was a connector problem between the GPS and the antenna.
My fix was to:
remove the battery cover, battery, sim.
unscrew 10 screws and remove the back cover.
remove the speaker assembly that also holds the gps antenna
the GPS antenna is on the top left of the speaker assembly.
make sure the gps and antenna connectors are not broken and clean, and screw everything back in snug.
Hopes this helps someone.

Were there any seals to break so that your warranty could be voided? I might look into this. My gps works most of the time but should lock faster than it does sometimes. I shouldn't have to hold it to the Window in my truck.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

dirtfoot said:
Were there any seals to break so that your warranty could be voided? I might look into this. My gps works most of the time but should lock faster than it does sometimes. I shouldn't have to hold it to the Window in my truck.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No there aren't any seals that need to be broken.

Like was your GPS just very inaccurate?? Because mine is
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

so call me crazy, but this might have fixed my gps. ive talked about having gps issues in the other threads (gps patch thread), and decided to give this a try. take apart my phone, detach the speaker assembly, and put it all back together (there is that one connector but are you sure its the gps and not the speaker?. ive had issues since release of the phone and am now getting gps lock in my house which was impossible. on the streets google nav isnt throwing me off either.
at first it didnt make much of a difference but after a while it started locking on. Id like to reiterate that ive tried lots of solutions: roms, apps, the gps patch in the development sub forum. Who knows if any of those kicked in, but it sure is coincidental of tearing the phone up lol.

joocrazy said:
I dropped my S3 on the floor. There was no damage, but GPS stopped working accurately. I tried GPS fixes, but those did not work for me. Eventually I discovered that it was a connector problem between the GPS and the antenna.
My fix was to:
remove the battery cover, battery, sim.
unscrew 10 screws and remove the back cover.
remove the speaker assembly that also holds the gps antenna
the GPS antenna is on the top left of the speaker assembly.
make sure the gps and antenna connectors are not broken and clean, and screw everything back in snug.
Hopes this helps someone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, "only" 2 months after this was posted and I was the first to reply to this, I finally found my micro screwdrivers and I tightened the screws under the back cover, and my gps is ridiculously better. Just before tightening the screws, it took about 15 seconds to get 1 or 2 satellites to lock. Immediately after, I retested and had about 18 in 5 seconds in the same seat inside. I feel like a moron for taking so long to do this. Thanks again.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

There seems to be a common issue with these phones and the loosely connected GPS antennae. Many have been using this fix as opposed to sending their device in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo93EF7rVIw
Even disassemble instruction videos floating around. Don't be scared, crack that beast open :laugh:

Lol this is awesome. I've been reading about people with gps problems tightening their screws all week and it actually working.
Now I didn't really have gps problems to begin (always instant lock outdoors. Indoors not so much) with but I thought it would be interesting to take a look at em. So I tightened them just a bit and now I get signal in my office on a rainy day. I use to never get a lock at my office. Awesome.
Still don't get a lock in my apartment but still a noticeable improvement.

joocrazy said:
I dropped my S3 on the floor. There was no damage, but GPS stopped working accurately. I tried GPS fixes, but those did not work for me. Eventually I discovered that it was a connector problem between the GPS and the antenna.
My fix was to:
remove the battery cover, battery, sim.
unscrew 10 screws and remove the back cover.
remove the speaker assembly that also holds the gps antenna
the GPS antenna is on the top left of the speaker assembly.
make sure the gps and antenna connectors are not broken and clean, and screw everything back in snug.
Hopes this helps someone.
Click to expand...
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Confirmed working! I should see this earlier! For half a year I traveled across the globe, I spent countless times on my gps issue, I didn't remember it had problem due to a dropping but it just act so bad from the beginning. I tried all kinds of roms, cleaned all kinds of data/caches, tried all kinds of patches. None of them works! I thought this model is just bad at GPS.
Now I simply tighten some screws and it works fantastic than ever! I'd like to quote someone else because it also happens to me: my gps is now so powerful that I can lock gps even inside the room in a raining day!
---------- Post added at 06:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:33 PM ----------
we should let more people know this, maybe by changing the title. Because for me, I didn't remember about dropping, so I didn't think about to read this thread before.

ManiakalSealion said:
There seems to be a common issue with these phones and the loosely connected GPS antennae. Many have been using this fix as opposed to sending their device in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo93EF7rVIw
Even disassemble instruction videos floating around. Don't be scared, crack that beast open :laugh:
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marked. read later