Nuvi 660 Battery Issue

Well, it seems that my Nuvi 650 is not holding its charge either. See what others have to say?

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/27841

And, there's also videos on YouTube showing you how to take the unit apart. I've replaced batteries in iPods, but the battery in my old Nuvi 350 is still in good shape, so I haven't opened one yet.

I've not bought from them since my original nuvi batteries are just fine, but these folks have been around for a while, have good prices from what I can tell, and offer the tools as well as the battery to do the replacement:

http://www.batteryship.com/htmlos/htmlos.cgi/0854.2.33287009...

Here's another source complete with video instructions:

http://www.newpower99.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GAR...

Exact same problem for me -- 0 charge after a few years. I'm guessing a battery replacement is pretty cheap and easy, I've just not bothered since I keep it plugged in.

I rarely use my 660 on just the battery but when I do I haven't experienced any problem.

This link is worth a look although this covers battery replacement for the 765T.

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2010/02/how_to_replace_the_intern...

Garmin charges a lot to change out a battery. I ordered a replacement and did it myself with no issues. It was a bit more delicate a procedure than I'd expected but I managed. The new battery works better than the old ever did. I've been using my Nuvi with the replacement battery for four or five months with no issues.

It only takes a few minutes to replace the battery in a 6xx unit -- one of the websites mentioned even includes the tools, and has online videos.

If you can replace watch batteries, you should be able to do your 6xx battery.

I keep mine plugged in, so don't really use the battery. Thanks for the heads up. I will try using it on battery to see if it will hold a charge.

Great information! Thanks!

I went ahead ordered a battery and installed it. Bought it from newpower99.com. I did a quickie test on my Nuvi 650 and everything appears to be working. Time will tell.

http://www.newpower99.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GAR...

The newpower99.com website has a nifty video, but they make the installation look easier that I found it to be. The tools that come with the battery worked well and were very helpful.

1. The screws were in very tight. In trying to remove them I felt that I was on the verge of stripping them. So be prepared to use more force than expected. And be careful!

2. The video does not adequately show how to remove the spring "cover". It looks easy on the video, but real life was different. I spent a lot of time using different "instruments" to force it to release. Considering the fragility of the electronics this was nerve racking to a degree. I am not sure how I finally released the spring, but when it did release the two pieces went flying.

3. In attempting to release the spring, the antenna assembly came apart. Putting it back together took a while. Also I was concerned over twisting, tearing, or otherwise damaging the electronics "ribbon".

3. While removing the final two screws was "easy" they were very close to some circuitry on a "ribbon". Again, an inadvertent slip could potentially damage the circuitry.

Overall, it took about an hour and half.

PS: The ability to post instructional videos on websites is tremendous. There was one for even replacing my watch battery!

On disadvantage of not having a usable battery is using he device in a hand-held situation. We ran into traffic and the person in the right seat was trying to get an alternate route and it kept crapping out. Of course we could have taken the "holder" off the window, but it was a lot easier to use as a hand held.

Fellow at work changed battery on his 660 after watching the Video on how to do it....

My 660 is still going strong (Pun Intended!) and don't need to change it....

It doesn't seem impossible..... I did watch the video.... I could do it.....

Hi Steve R.

Glad to hear from someone who actually went through a replacement process. You're feedback and comments are very precious for me.

I sincerely think I'll be going over this procedure very soon. My 66o battery seem to be less and less happy to go to work !!!

Like you did, i'll order a new one from newpower99 pretty soon and try to do my best.

Wish me luck !!!

In changing the battery there was an unexpected hitch. Turns out the battery is held in place by double sided tape.

The video does not mention this, could be a subsequent revision that Garmin made. Takes a bit of force to remove the battery. If you change the battery, you may want to have some double sided tape available.

I peeled the tape off the old battery and stuck it on the new battery. I'll see how that works.

I usually plug it in, but sometimes I want to plug something else in (go figure, cars have 2+ lighter sockets + AC sometimes, and all are in use), and unfortunately, 660 will not stay on more than 2-5 min. on battery.

imho they should have made it removable.

Don't really feel like paying for a new battery and having to open up the unit...

Thanks for the descriptive comment. Very helpful. I will set it asside for use when I have to replace my battery. My 660 battery is still good after 4 years. Not sure how long before they start to go out- but now I am prepared.

Thanks for your insights. I have the replacement battery kit from the same supplier and intend to follow the same video.

I hope that you will post the results of your experience too.

Replaced with no problem!

First, thanks to Steve R. for his comments on what proved harder than the video in replacing the battery. I would have given up when I reached similar obstacles if I hadn't had his notes in front of me.

Second, I found the screws REALLY hard -- in some cases impossible -- to remove. I finally succeeded by using plyers on the screwdriver handle to turn it; the added torque did the trick.

Third, the circuit board screws would not come out with any of my kit screwdrivers. I eventually tried on of my larger household screwdrivers and was able to remove the screws.

Fourth, echo another's comments about the two-sided tape holding the battery down. If you're not expecting it, you might think something is wrong. For good or ill, I did not attach my new battery with tape.

Fifth, I went through the whole video before starting work and listed the parts/screws I'd be taking out on a sheet of copy paper. Then I attached each part/screw to the paper with scotch tape, making it easy not to lose anything and avoiding possible confusion (each set of screws is a little different).

Even with several starts and stops, thanks to Steve R and others this only took me an hour. I have the new battery charging and, when I connected to the charger the device powered up quickly and perfectly (before I turned it off to put it in charge mode).

Thanks to all for your help. Hope my additional comments will help the next person.

Glad you found the information helpful and you were able to get the battery replaced.

When I did mine, I didn't use any double-sided sticky tape either. I can hear a slight sound of the battery moving around if I move the nuvi back & forth, but it hasn't caused me any problems. I'm pretty gentle with it.

I used a couple of double sided 1 inch sticky mounting squares which worked OK.

Haven't had any battery problems yet, but will keep the comments in mind if and when I do.
I also have a Nuvi 650 for longer and it has been trouble free so far.

No 660 battery problems yet, but I did buy a replacement battery.....

and here is a 660 battery replacement video:

http://www.newpower99.com/Battery_for_Garmin_Nuvi_660_p/garm...

I replaced my battery last fall and I just checked it last week and it still has a full charge. I haven't used it since christmas. Love it.

After posting here about changing my battery (quoted below), I discovered my touchscreen no longer functioned. I ended up sending it to Jim at Sharcnet-USA (http://www.sharcnet-usa.com) and he fixed that (and several other problems) quickly and at a very reasonable price. After this, I plan simply to send it to him to get the battery replaced. It just isn't worth the time and trouble to do it myself and run into the problems I ended up with in this instance.

You guys are still able to use your 660's, good for you....mine broke about a year ago and I was frustrated since you figure it's electronic, i.e no moving parts....