GPS Garmin not turning on

[Refueler]

Similar problem with my Garmin GPS 72, that was kept on the boat in a dry locker as a backup. I brought it home and put new batteries in and it did not start. However, I have the 12v + data cables for it so tried it using the car socket. It started no problem and took about 10 minutes to get a position. Date and time were correct as well despite GPS roll over. I bought it in 2005 so 19 years old.

10 mins is not bad - considering it probably was updating its almanac.

 

[srm]

And does it work now with its batteries?

No, just tried again. Batts voltage good.
Come to think of it, I don't think it has ever been used on internal batts, always 12v as it ran a laptop plotter for a few years.

 

[PaulRainbow]

My Volvo is 22yrs old .. so ?

But Garmin is not much different to the others ... trying to force sales of new gear.

Try getting a 20 year old TV fixed, or a radio, or pretty much anything small consumer electronics.

There never would have been a repair service for such a small device. For the first few years Garmin would have offered a next to nothing replacement service.

 

[PaulRainbow]

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But they could at least give advice on trying to repair it yourself

No, they couldn't. They never would have repaired these, even if it was new. They would replace it, this type of device isn't usually economically repairable. Same with most consumer electronics these days.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Try getting a 20 year old TV fixed, or a radio, or pretty much anything small consumer electronics.

There never would have been a repair service for such a small device. For the first few years Garmin would have offered a next to nothing replacement service.

They’ve done that for me, twice.

 

[Chanquete]

Similar problem with my Garmin GPS 72, that was kept on the boat in a dry locker as a backup. I brought it home and put new batteries in and it did not start. However, I have the 12v + data cables for it so tried it using the car socket. It started no problem and took about 10 minutes to get a position. Date and time were correct as well despite GPS roll over. I bought it in 2005 so 19 years old.

Thank you SRM!
The same thing happened to you as it did to me.

 

[srm]

Try getting a 20 year old TV fixed, or a radio, or pretty much anything small consumer electronics.

There's a small business here on the island that does just that. A few years ago they repaired an audio amplifier for me that dated from the mid 80's.

 

[westernman]

If it has not been used for a long time, it will take a very very long time (20-30 mins may be even more) to start up as it tries to find some satellites and update its almanac. It will be faster (as in might actually finish), if it has a clear view of the sky. It will probably give a good impression of being dead while it does this.

 

[William_H]

The problem is that modern and recent microelectronics are virtually unrepairable. Almost every thing is done in a microchip. So apart from the on off switch nothing can be fixed in a practical manner compared with replacing the whole thing. A fact of life that for complexity this stuff is incredibly cheap but too complex to fix. From one who reckoned he could fix any electronics 50 years ago but who can now fix very little. ol'will

 

[Iliade]

Go to your nearest phone repair shop and ask them to use a fibreglass pencil to clean the battery contacts. I'd avoid sandpaper as you may remove the plating.

 

[Refueler]

There's a small business here on the island that does just that. A few years ago they repaired an audio amplifier for me that dated from the mid 80's.

One of our Model Flyers in Kuldiga - next town - repairs many electronics ... amplifiers - record players - tape decks - radios .....

I admit that its hard to find repairers for modern gear .. but there are still odd guys out there ..

 

[Daydream believer]

No - I wrote it on a 2yr old Lenovo actually.

But if you want to continue being silly ... I still have in working order :

286 Dan PC
486 SX
486 DX

HP Jornado
MIO 168
Palm M515

as well as a boxfull of old mobiles ...

So what. I still have 2 coke tins & a length of string from when I was a kid. Reception is a bit crap but still beats O2 mobile, here on the Dengie, some days. Plus does not need batteries