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Garmin 660 flashes "GPS update" momentarily and won't acquire satellites

 
Tue, 03/30/2010 - 8:42pm

Hi,
When I start my 660, I get a quick message that says GPS update. I had not used the unit for a few weeks, but when I turneed it on yesterday, I got the message and it failed to acquire satellites. And this is over hours, not minutes. I have updated to 4.90, turned it off and on numerous times, and reset, all to no avail. All other functions work, except the inability to acquire satellites and the resultanat problems of no map. Any suggestions?
Thanks

‹ Walmart Loading .bmp map symbol icons to my Nuvi 1350 ›
Tue, 03/30/2010 - 8:59pm

Have you tried to do a

Have you tried to do a Master Reset by pressng the lower right of the screen when turning on unit - keep pressing until you get message 'do you want to reset.....' This may erase your favorites.

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Hawk - Nuvi 1450
Tue, 03/30/2010 - 9:15pm

I did the reset as outlined on this site by presssing the upper

I did the reset as outlined on this site by presssing the upper left corner. It had not effect. I'll try the lower right to see if it does anything.

Thanks for your response.33ad5

Wed, 03/31/2010 - 2:32am

Unfortunately, I've heard of

Unfortunately, I've heard of the flip out antennas breaking after a lot of use and, well... The 660 is a pretty old model. Apparently, some diode fails in the patch antenna part and the unit constantly thinks it's in "external antenna" mode. People have had luck getting their units to work with an external antenna when this happens. Another "trick" is to try using a very fine wire and touching it to the center post of the external antenna connector on the side of the flip out antenna. Carefully watch the satellite bars and if you see ANY movement towards and up to acquiring some sats when doing this, then that's the problem. There are people out there who fix stuff like this for reasonable prices and they get great reviews. I'd post the name/link, but it "escapes me" at the moment...

Wed, 03/31/2010 - 11:35am

sharcnet

You are probably thinking of Sharcnet. Here is a link to their antenna repair description page: http://www.sharc.net/gps_antenna_repair.htm

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon
Wed, 03/31/2010 - 7:47pm

Thanks, guys, I have visited his site.

I will give him a jingle. BTW, his prices seem very reasonable.

Wed, 03/31/2010 - 8:11pm

Yes, he seems to good work.

Yes, he seems to good work. Hopefully, he's got stuff cleared out now as I remember him being pretty backed up and not taking new repair jobs. But, that was a while ago...

Fri, 04/02/2010 - 11:51am

Probably not related, but my StreetPilot c530 does same.

My c530 does the same thing. It is a defect and I did not replace it as it was out of warranty and I had a workaround. Problem usually occurs on my unit when there is a temperature change. Fix is to disconnect the power and then hit the reset button. Works fine after that. Probably happens about once a week.

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Garmin StreetPilot c530, Mapsource
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 2:07pm

Any updates on this?

i expect to inherit a "dead" 660 over the weekend; my initial suspicions are a dead battery and power cord, but we'll see.

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Nuvi 2460, 680, DATUM Tymserve 2100, Trimble Thunderbolt, Ham radio, Macintosh, Linux, Windows