After starting the map application, do you see a satellite symbol in the system task bar at the right upper corner?

When you're outside, click on the fourth symbol (the satellite one) in the Maps application at the bottom. It will show you the lock and the signal strength of the satellites.
As already written, it may take some time to get the current position automatically displayed - see the favourite https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2878 .