Broken Fakra connector on GPS antenna cable

[Canuckican]

Yup, yesterday I was replacing the APIM on my 2016 Mustang GT Premium to one with navigation. I did a similar swap on my F150 last year and was happy with the results. Unfortunately, this time the clip on the Fakra connector where thec cable from the GPS antenna plugs into the APIM broke. Obviously I was not releasing the tabs correctly when I pulled on it.

I figure I have a few options on fixing this.

1. I tried just taping the connector using the handyman's secret weapon (duct tape) but that was a fail.
2. Then I thought I will just buy a replacement cable for the cable that goes from the APIM to the existing GPS antenna. But damn, the GPS antenna cable is bundled in tight as you like in the dash and I can't even see the OEM GPS antenna! Plus, I can't seem to sort out exactly what the part number is for the APIM to GPS antenna cable is, or if it is even available for purchase.
3. Then I thought I will just buy a FR3T-19H464-AC GPS antenna and cable bundle together on eBay and stick this new one in and call it good. But do you think I can find one that is the full cable instead of just a cutoff cable? Not so far.
4. Then I thought I will just buy an aftermarket GPS antenna with the correct Fakra connector and be done with it. I did some digging on Cyanlabs and they reported good luck using this aftermarket GPS antenna, so I do have one of those on the way. But I would really like to stick to OEM parts.

Does anyone happen to know the part number for the cable that goes from the APIM to the GPS antenna? It has a blue Fakra connector on one end (picture below).

Here's the OEM GPS antenna:

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[jloshotz]

I know you are looking for OEM, but some interesting posts in this thread if you haven’t seen yet

Post 2,220 shows an option for the connector on a replacement (non OEM) antenna

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/sync-3-swap-its-all-in-here.82973/post-3522510

 

[Canuckican]

This is odd. The OEM Ford service manual I have states that the GPSM (which I believe is the GPS antenna I pictured above) is mounted on top of the dash under the center speaker grill. I don't know if the shop manual is incorrect or if it's just that this 2016 Mustang GT purchases from "Mint" Auto Sales in Tampa, Florida has it somewhere else for whatever reason, but it's definitely not there on my 2016 GT. I was told that all 2015+ Mustangs have this GPSM factory installed even if they did not come with navigation because this GPSM is also used by the compass. My compass was working so the GPSM must be up under the dash somewhere.

 

[jloshotz]

That is interesting. In the same thread I pointed you to, I believe it is indicated that this is exactly where it is I’m hoping to add nav to my existing 8” sync 3, so I’ve been doing some reading myself…

 

[josephstef]

Just FYI, when I did my swap on a 2016 (RHD) I had to remove that GPSM as the compass worked but not the NAV, had to add a 3rd party one and everything started working fine after that.

 

[Canuckican]

That is interesting. In the same thread I pointed you to, I believe it is indicated that this is exactly where it is I’m hoping to add nav to my existing 8” sync 3, so I’ve been doing some reading myself…

Yup, I removed the center speaker cover fully expecting to see the GPS antenna there. But not to be.

Then again, I would caution anyone against using anything on this particular car as a gauge for what is normal. I mean, after a year of wrenching on it, it is probably very close to where a car advertised as "mint" should be. At this point I'm basically on to enhancements like adding navigation and improving the sound system.

 

[Paddles]

Yup, I removed the center speaker cover fully expecting to see the GPS antenna there. But not to be.

Then again, I would caution anyone against using anything on this particular car as a gauge for what is normal. I mean, after a year of wrenching on it, it is probably very close to where a car advertised as "mint" should be. At this point I'm basically on to enhancements like adding navigation and improving the sound system.

The story of your Mustang really is quite inspiring

 

[Canuckican]

The story of your Mustang really is quite inspiring

And there's not a chance in hell I would have gotten this far without so much help from the kind and knowledgeable folks on this forum!

 

[Ferrcad]

Sorry, late to the party... When I did the MFT to Sync 3 my GPS unit was right where the image you show in the Ford picture above. My MFT came factory with navigation I'm reading you did not have nav and upgrade APIM on your car hence why there is nothing there. Just buy a good one from Amazon, mount it in the same area and run wire down to APIM and plug in. Even when doing this upgrade with a car that has MFT you have to unplug the factory one and use the replacement. The installed Ford one will not work with new SYNC 3 units. If you have any issues with it not showing the correct location after install try another antenna. This is the second one I bought from amazon....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0107LPEWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Canuckican]

Neither the compass or GPS are working right now. I'm not too stressed about it. I'm pretty sure it's just the OEM GPS antenna.

I took a look back at the Sync 2 to Sync 3.4 APIM/navigation upgrade kit I got for my F150 and it did come with a GPS antenna. The one I got for this Mustang only included the navigation-capable APIM.

I have ordered an aftermarket GPS antenna for the Mustang and will no longer try to find the OEM APIM to GPSM cable so I can try to re-use the OEM GPS antenna. It sounds like that will be a battle I won't win, at least not without a trip to the dealership for some additional programming. No thanks, I had my fun getting the second keyless remote programmed.

Of course our nice 50F Wisconsin weather we've been fortunate to have lately is on its way out tomorrow and will be replaced by more normal 30F highs. I'll have to be extra careful not to crack any dash pieces when I remove them to install the new antenna. Or maybe I will just remove all that stuff today so I don't have to fuss with removing it when it's colder.

 

[S550HPP]

It's better for you cannot disable Sirius XM any where in Forscan because they track you and sell your data incl speed if crash.

 

[Canuckican]

The aftermarket GPS antenna arrived today and I am happy to report that the compass and GPS are now working. At least based on the 15 minute drive I went on after getting everything put back together.

I am also glad I bought some replacement trim panel retainer clips beforehand to replace ones that were sure to break or disappear during removal.

 

[jloshotz]

Which antenna did you end up using? Have a link? I still might try to add NAV to mine, if I can somehow keep it on the “somewhat” cheap

 

[Canuckican]

Which antenna did you end up using? Have a link? I still might try to add NAV to mine, if I can somehow keep it on the “somewhat” cheap

I got this one from eBay. It was listed on Cyanlabs as one that folks had good success using with this APIM swap.

 

[jloshotz]

Awesome, thanks for sharing the link…..appreciate it!

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