Garmin Probs.

Alice · 18 May 2006, 09:36

Can anyone shine any light on this lttle prob? My Garmin 238 wont switch on. If I dab the power switch a few times it'll peep and the opening page appears then disappears. I would assume that it's a problem with the on/off switch. I've just been told by a firm in Plymouth that these things are pretty much non-repairable, however they will take a look at it and if they can't fix it I can exchange it for a new one at 1/3 rrp.

Hugh Jardon · 18 May 2006, 09:41

garmin has a huge reputation

give them a call direct and see what they advise

(for all Garmin products
except Apollo aircraft)
- Monday — Friday
- 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Central time (closed holidays)
- 1-800-800-1020
- 1-888-442-7646
or
- (913) 397-8200
- 0870-8501242 (within U.K.)
- +44-1794-519944 (outside U.K.)

(for Apollo aircraft
products only)
- Monday — Friday
- 8 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Pacific time (closed holidays)
- (503) 391-3411 ext.3991
- 1-800-525-6726 ext.3991 (U.S.)
- 1-800-654-3415 ext.3991 (CAN)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

Can anyone shine any light on this lttle prob? My Garmin 188/238 wont switch on. If I dab the power switch a few times it'll peep and the opening page appears then disappears. I would assume that it's a problem with the on/off switch. I've just been told by a firm in Plymouth that these things are pretty much non-repairable, however they will take a look at it and if they can't fix it I can exchange it for a new one at 1/3 rrp.

Alice · 18 May 2006, 09:56

Thanks,

I've now been on hold with Garmin Europe for 8 mins and counting.

Hugh Jardon · 18 May 2006, 09:59

same here as i need a new knob!

Richard B · 18 May 2006, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

i need a new knob

Funnily enough, Debs told me of your problem on Saturday!

Hugh Jardon · 18 May 2006, 10:07

as usual, great service, they are going to send me a new knob as i dropped the other one in the water

cool guys as usual

Alice · 18 May 2006, 10:13

As usual, great service until it's out of warranty. Garmin want $199 which is the repair cost regardless + postage! Sod that!

Hugh Jardon · 18 May 2006, 10:17

perhaps if you showed up in person and fluttered your eyelashes and showed them your assets they might do a foc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

As usual, great service until it's out of warranty. Garmin want $199 which is the repair cost regardless + postage! Sod that!

Alice · 18 May 2006, 10:23

It's now out of the boat, in my handbag and on it's way to Plymouth.

I'll go and flap my eyelashes about down on Union St. That should make me enough to get my GPS fixed.

Alice · 18 May 2006, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Funnily enough, Debs told me of your problem on Saturday!

She said that it was like a real knob just much smaller.

Hugh Jardon · 18 May 2006, 10:34

it is a 6mm one with a rubbery grip round the edge and a hard bit on top

it dont float and you can not buy them anywhere, lucky garmin are so nice, well to me anyway.

small but perfectly formed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

She said that it was like a real knob just much smaller.

benc · 18 May 2006, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

As usual, great service until it's out of warranty. Garmin want $199 which is the repair cost regardless + postage! Sod that!

That figure is there "maximum" cost charge..

I sent mine to them out of warranty, as it had water ingress... they quoted me I think £147 or close to that figure...

But they wouldnt do any work that was chargeable without contacting you... I called them a few days later as I hadn;'t heard anything... and they told me its on the way back.. they sent a replacement unit FOC...

Its worth sending it off, just to let them assess the problem and give you a price to fix....if you decide not to go ahead, they'll send it back I guess

My device (238 sounder) new was 800quid odd (I didnt pay that!) ... but to replace it with one of similar calibre wouldnt be far off.

Alice · 18 May 2006, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by benc

That figure is there "maximum" cost charge..

I sent mine to them out of warranty, as it had water ingress... they quoted me I think £147 or close to that figure...

But they wouldnt do any work that was chargeable without contacting you... I called them a few days later as I hadn;'t heard anything... and they told me its on the way back.. they sent a replacement unit FOC...

Its worth sending it off, just to let them assess the problem and give you a price to fix....if you decide not to go ahead, they'll send it back I guess

My device (238 sounder) new was 800quid odd (I didnt pay that!) ... but to replace it with one of similar calibre wouldnt be far off.

The guy told me it was a flat charge of $199 which is £130ish. The current equivalent is the for the 238 is the 292 for which they quoted £650.

Shaggy · 18 May 2006, 17:50

Did you leave the Multi-connector on the boat over winter?

The connectors are copper and corrode quickly which may result in a High Resistance developing on the power insert, this may allow for a small current to pass on boot up but unable to sustain and additional current drain e.g. powering the antenna load maps etc.

Have you tried cleaning the connector?

Shaggy

Alice · 18 May 2006, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Did you leave the Multi-connector on the boat over winter?

The connectors are copper and corrode quickly which may result in a High Resistance developing on the power insert, this may allow for a small current to pass on boot up but unable to sustain and additional current drain e.g. powering the antenna load maps etc.

Have you tried cleaning the connector?

Shaggy

C'mon Shaggy, W'dya think? It's me!

No I havn't. I'll try it now though.

Biggles · 18 May 2006, 18:35

Alice,

I've just seen this post. Hope I can be of some help. I have Garmin kit and I don't think its that good. I had a total power loss to my Garmin and it was caused by poor sealing on the cable to unit joint. My copper connector power wire just fell in bits from seawater getting on it. I took it all to bits and moved a non used connector to replace it. It worked all right then. Having said that I still have some minor problems with the power connector.
It might be worth you finding a friend who is handy with a soldering iron to help you out.
If you can post some pics of the cable to unit area maybe i could comment more.
Might also be worth opening the unit up to see if its corroded inside. If its out of warranty you have nothing to worry. And I doubt Garmin will charge you anymore if you go down that route.
I would only be worried if you have managed to short circuit the unit or its had too high a charge sent to it. But even then your fuse should protect it.
Aas much as I like garmin software and the displays i think the rest of the Garmin units are pretty flimsy.
Hope this helps.
Nick R.

Biggles · 18 May 2006, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

Can anyone shine any light on this lttle prob? My Garmin 238 wont switch on. If I dab the power switch a few times it'll peep and the opening page appears then disappears. I would assume that it's a problem with the on/off switch. I've just been told by a firm in Plymouth that these things are pretty much non-repairable, however they will take a look at it and if they can't fix it I can exchange it for a new one at 1/3 rrp.

I reckon you can fix this for pennies if not for nothing. Don't pay £100 plus.....

Shaggy · 18 May 2006, 18:39

Hi
If cleaning dont work, Ive got a PSU you can try it on to prove if its the lead or the unit, thats if you are over Hayle way.

Shaggy

Biggles · 18 May 2006, 19:06

Alice Can you post a pic of the connector and the unit where it goes in ?

I might be able to help you then.

Alice · 18 May 2006, 21:29

Thanks Guys. It's on it's way to Plymouth at the mo. The multi-pin plug theory sounds very possible.
I'll post you when I get the diagnosis. I'd replace it rather than shell-out £100's.