+Number 6 Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Anyone have this experience and have a solution? My yellow Etrex has started powering down for no apparent reason. I have swapped batteries and ensured they are fresh. Sometimes it shuts off without touching it and other times it shuts down when I push a button other than the power button such as menu select. I'm afraid that repairing it will cost more than a new one. I haven't yet heard anything back from the query I sent Garmin tech support (I sent it over the weekend). Thanks, Number 6 Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Are you sure it is powering down? Sometimes the internal display connector comes loose and makes the screen go blank. If you send it in, Garmin will fix it (for free if it's under warranty) Quote Link to comment
+Number 6 Posted April 26, 2004 Author Share Posted April 26, 2004 Thanks for the fast reply, Team GPSaxophone. I have to hit the power button to get it back up and it cycles through the startup sequence. I assume that means something other than the display connector, but I'll check out that possibility further. I'm way out of warranty. Any idea what Garmin charges for repairs or should I just resign myself to finding a good deal on a new unit? Number 6 Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 They charge $99 for the basic repair (AFAIK) I had the display problem with my Venture. If I hit it, it would come back on. Clearly the connector was loose. I never did send it in (I couldn't ever find a time when I wasn't using it), but I did buy a Legend and gave the Venture to the wife Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 have you changed battery brands or from disposable to rechargeables? certain types of either are reported to be shorter and lose contact with the terminals in the GPS causing it to shut off. Quote Link to comment
+Number 6 Posted April 26, 2004 Author Share Posted April 26, 2004 $99 to repair a unit that cost me $99.95 and can be replaced for less - makes me consider buying a Magellan replacement except they probably have similar repair costs. Haven't yet heard back from Garmin tech support. I am using rechargables, but the same brand I've used for more than a year. Looser battery contacts, however, would explain the symptoms. Looks like I will be in the market for a new eTrex, Gecko, or such. Thanks for the help everyone, Number 6 Quote Link to comment
Neo_Geo Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 This is a known issue with the Garmin line. Seen it in the Rinos, Etrex and my 60C suffers the same problem. Quote Link to comment
vr12 Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 This is a known issue with the Garmin line. Seen it in the Rinos, Etrex and my 60C suffers the same problem. What is known issue ? shutting down due battery contacts or due something else ? Quote Link to comment
+Number 6 Posted April 26, 2004 Author Share Posted April 26, 2004 Got a reply back from Garmin: Thank you for contacting Garmin. It sounds as if the software has developed a glitch. To fix it, we will probably have to do a Master Reset (MR). Unfortunately, a MR will erase any waypoints or routes that you have saved in the unit. If you can upload these to a computer, you should be able to reload them after the MR. The keying sequence for a Master Reset is UP+PAGE+ENTER+ON (Must be held for 5 seconds) Thanks again for contacting Garmin. Best Regards My confidence is restored and I'll stop threatening to buy a Magellan (besides, I have too much invested in cables and mounts anyway). The reset seems have done the trick. I'm wondering if the software glitch was related to ExpertGPS 1.3.6 which I installed as a trial just before my problems began (see Expertgps Users - A Bug???, Does yours do this???). Number 6 Quote Link to comment
+Couparangus Posted April 27, 2004 Share Posted April 27, 2004 I'll go along with Robert. Switching battery brands resolved the bulk of my eMap unexpected power-downs. Now I sometimes get the power-on-power-off glitch. I can tell when its gonna happen 'cuz the "globe" doesn't start to turn. I've also determined that it only happens when running from batteries when the unit is warming up from about 5C. After rubbing it with the hands for a minute its good to go. Think this might be unique to my unit! C-A Quote Link to comment
+logger&trail Posted April 27, 2004 Share Posted April 27, 2004 Hi Number 6! I had the similar problem with my yellow way back when, it would just go off for no reason at all. It began to happen just after I started using Energizer rechargeables in it. Turns out the problem was the battery clips inside the battery compartment. I just moved them out very gently giving the batteries a tighter fit and havent had the problem since. Hope this helps Logger Quote Link to comment
+Number 6 Posted April 28, 2004 Author Share Posted April 28, 2004 My eTrex is well and healthy again as verified by 24 hours of no problems. The master reset seems to have done the job, but I also pried out the battery clips. Thanks to all! Quote Link to comment
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