Nuvi 660 Touch Screen Unresponsive... Ideas?

You don't have much to lose by trying, so if a Hard Reset does nothing, what about opening up the beast and reseating all the connectors (or if lucky, reconnecting the disconnected one)?

Yeah, that thought had crossed my mind. I'll have to find the set of tools I got with the replacement battery I installed a few months back. As I remember, there are only 2 connectors however, one for the battery (which is obviously still connected) and I think the other was for the speaker. I would have to look closer to see if there are any other connectors.

Sounds like it is time to download ALK Copilot to your smartphone. You will be surprised what you are missing. $5.00 for US and $19.00 for US and Canada. Add another $10.00 and you will have Active Traffic. Can't beat it.

I don't own a smartphone... or an ipod for that matter, which is why I relied on the mp3 player in my 660 when traveling. That is what probably bothers me the most about shopping for a replacement GPS - many no longer have the mp3 player function.

That is why I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this problem and managed to fix it. (I know I'm probably dreaming. In 3 years of being on this forum, I don't remember anyone posting that they were able to fix a problem like this)

Gary A, you may find some useful information in this link: http://www.sharc.net/gps_LCD_repair.htm

Wow, I wasn't going to suggest a repair until GaryA explained why it's so important to him. I've heard good things about the sharc repair folks--although I've also read that they can be quite backed up at times leading to long delays.

The link from alandb makes it sounds like you were lucky to keep your 6xx working as long as it did, GaryA.

From the link:
Notice: we have observed a high rate of failures on a newer style 4.3 inch touchscreen (6xx series) with a white tail cap, that the LCD manufacturer has been using. The touchscreen will just stop working, even though there is no physical damage to the touchscreen or glass. Apparently, the touchscreen connections become broken from the touchscreen tail. The only way to repair this problem is to replace the entire touchscreen/glass. We have also noticed that units with serial numbers beginning with the prefix "12P"(some units) or "13N"or "14V" or "143" have this type of touchscreen installed. We have not seen this problem with the original maroon tail cap touchscreens and in units beginning with the serial number of "186".

That was some interesting reading My serial number starts with "12P" wouldn't you know.

Let's see... the repair will cost $45 + $5.85 shipping in each direction for a total of $56.70.

OR

A new GPS. There are currently only 3 models with mp3 players:

755T - $279.99 MSRP
765T - $299.99 MSRP
775T - $449.99 MSRP

The 775T's big cost seems to be both the North America and European maps which I don't need. The 755T & 765T seem to be the same except for bluetooth in the 765T, which is a feature, as it turned out, that I never used on my 660 (wife didn't like it even though I thought it was cool). Remember, I'm the guy without a smartphone. The phone is really my wife's and she uses it for [GASP] making phone calls, of all things.

Maybe I'll check out online prices for the 755T & 765T as well as parts (replacement touch screen) for the 660. (And I just put a new battery in the blankty-blank thing a few months ago). Maybe I buggered up the ribbon cable when I opened it and the problem just now showed up. UGH!

Here is a price from Amazon.com on 765 http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inch-Bluetooth-Portable-Nav...

That's certainly better than garmin's MSRP.

Does the 7X5T series have the same mount as my 660? Can I use the garmin dashboard friction mount (ball & socket)? Does the 7X5T series use the cradle mount like my 660?

I'm also finding a few parts suppliers, but I'm reluctant to buy from Hong Kong.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Screen-Display-TOUCH-GARMIN-NUVI-Nuv...

The cradle is different between the 600 and 700 series. The Bean Bag is good for any.

I looked at the 7X5's User's Manual and saw that the cradle is different but would still work with the Garmin beanbag.

The sharc.net website says their repair schedule is full, but I've also read on other discussion boards that they sometimes accept individual requests for repairs, so I've sent them a "pretty-please" email. We'll see what they say.

New egg has nuvi 755t for $139.99

That new GPS will go good with your new computer.

... "12P"er here. After reading this thread I grabbed my unit and fired it up (it doesn't see 'high demand' use). So far, so good, and I won't say I'm still on my original battery!
I, too, selected this unit for a player as well as a phone BT link and have been very happy for three years.

Here's hoping for a good outcome, Gary.

Try this from my post:
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/11436

If you have a 660, why not move to a 760? Much better Bluetooth performance than the XX% units because it still used the Parrot chipset.

Plus you'd get the additional features that the 760 brings (including getting rid of the fold-out antenna) plus you get to keep the 'upcoming street in the banner box' feature and will have the better street display detail . . . .

But before you ship your unit off or buy a replacement, check the edges of your screen to see if there isn't a bit of crud wedged between the bezel and the display. You can run the edge of a business card through the gap to clean it out if that's the problem.

This wouldn't be the first device that suffered from a dust bunny.

The problem is caused by a fracture in the conductive silver ink/paint that is used on the borders surrounding the touchscreen. Applying any kind of pressure or running a business card along the edges, "may" cause the fracture to close, restoring operation. The problem however, WILL return, especially in climate changes.

What's interesting to note, is that this problem doesn't happen with the maroon tail-cap touchscreens.

There are some units with the affected serial numbers that do use the maroon tail-cap, however it is extremely rare to see that type of touchscreen fail.

The Displays are made by SHARP.

As to the comment about "long delays", turn-around time is always within a week.

- Jim

Thanks for your repair quote, Jim. I just replied to your email.

I'm going to let Jim repair the 660 since I would have to add the cost of lifetime maps to any new unit I purchased. I've found that I don't use the Bluetooth feature, but I DO use the mp3 player a lot.

With a replacement battery just installed this past November and already invested in lifetime maps, I will see if I can extend the life of this 660.

Thanks for everyone's replies. I'll let you know how the repair goes.

I recently had a touchscreen problem but, luckily, my Nuvi 765t was under warranty and Garmin sent me back a refurb unit. So far it is working well.

I have a Nuvi 680 and it is still working. It doesn't stay on very long when it is not plugged into the car but it still works. My daughter loves it. Especially the MP3 playing. Sorry to hear about your problems with the 660.

I bought lifetime maps and replaced the battery this past November with the idea of keeping it for a long time. Many times, the repair cost of a lot of electronics is equal to or greater than buying a new device. But, Jim gave me such a reasonable quote for the repair, I decided to give it a shot. I've already shipped it to him. He should receive it early next week.

This can be a problem with ITO/resistive touchscreens. I've got two units (a 660 and a 680) about this vintage, still working fine, and a hangar-queen 660 to use as a parts donor.

Replace the battery after two years or so and it should be good to go for another two to three years.

And I'm one of those weirdos that thinks the patch (flip-up) antenna and the antenna connector are features...

bob in silicon valley

I just got my 660 back today from Jim at Sharcnet. I now have a touch screen that works again

To me, it was worth the ~$53 to have him fix it. It took exactly 1 week total - Shipped it to him last Thursday, got it back today, Wednesday. Great turnaround.

Thanks Jim!

While driving a couple of years ago, my 660 suddenly went dead....no bringing it back. I sent it to this repair person (Jim), he checked it out, emailed me pronto, and told me the antenna had died. He replaced it for what I thought was a fair charge, and got it back in about a week along with the bad part. I think they are a reliable company.

I just wrote to him myself, hoping for the same kind of repair, as the screen on my Nuvi 660 recently died.

--Frank

Hi Frank,

I believe we serviced your 660. How is it performing for you?

- Jim

Hey, Jim.

It's working GREAT. You guys did an excellent job and at a great price.

Thanks!

--Frank

I sent in my Nuvi last Friday and can't wait to get it back. I am looking forward to having a responsive screen and new battery. Thanks to all of you for recommending Sharcnet.

I just got word that my Nuvi is on its way back to me with a fixed touchscreen and new battery. It was hard going the 2 weeks without it.

I liked dealing with Jim because I knew I was getting my original unit back, not a referb replacement like Garmin would send.

and it works great. The touchscreen is so responsive now that it is a pleasure using it. It feels like it was new. Jim did a great job and everything went as he said it would. I liked that he listed how the whole procedure works and the time frames. There were no surprises. I would definitely do business with him again (although I hope I don't have to, that means that there is a problem with my Nuvi.)

so my garmin sat in a box for 2 years i tried to use it tonight screen wont work saw that i payed 549.28 from best buy in 2008 what did you ever do with yours

Does it turn on? If not, it could be as simple a fix as an overnight battery charge or a battery replacement.

If it does turn on but has a non-functional touch screen, your options come down to having the screen replaced (see above posts for where to have this done) or buy a newer model nuvi with more features and lifetime maps.

Battery I'm guessing needs replacemfent.

Hi Jim
I found this thread on the internet having switched on my Garmin Nuvi today to find that the screen was totally frozen and not responding, either audibly or functionally, to touch. I tried all the usual things such as removing from the crable, powering off, powering on, replacing in crable, holding down Power On button for 10 seconds, pressing and holding in the Reset button under the flip-up antennae on at the back of the device. Nothing has cleared it. I then stumbled upon this thread.

It does sound identical to the problem for Frank that you managed to fix. Sadly I am in the UK otherwise I would be sending the device to you RIGHT NOW.

The unit is about 3 years old but I will be (quite literally!) lost without it.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Assuming I could cover the postage and repair costs, might you consider fixing it for me?

Desperate to get it working again. Big thanks. Susie.

Susie - You might want to get in touch with Jim through his Contact tab: http://www.poi-factory.com/user/99265/contact

I'm not sure that he visits this site too often and may not even see your post. Sending him a message through his Contact tab will send him an email which he is more likely to see and respond to.

Good luck!

Hi Suzie,

You didn't mention what model you have but by the description of the reset button underneath the antenna, you probably have either a Nuvi 3xx or 6xx series.

Unfortunately, the problem will not correct itself, The touchscreen will need to be replaced, no way around it.

Rather than discuss the process to get it resolved here, please feel free to contact me through this site.

If you are unable to do so, please leave another post here and we'll go from there.

I am sure I can help you with this issue but would rather discuss it via email.

Thanks,
Jim

Gary,

I am going to have to start paying you a referral commission!

Thanks for your support!

I sent Suzie a message through this site. Hopefully she will get back to me.

- Jim

and I have not had a problem since.

Same here.

All donations will be graciously accepted, Jim! Got to fund my retirement somehow.

When I get good service from a company, I will tell people. Likewise, when I get bad service...

Hi Jim, I have the same problem with my Garmin Nuvi 680, the screen dosn't respond when I touch it. I would like to get it fixed. Can you help? Thanks, Irina

Welcome to The Factory.

You may get a faster response by contacting him directly:

http://www.poi-factory.com/user/99265/contact

You can contact Jim directly through his website if you'd like

http://www.sharc.net/gps_contact_us.htm

Hi Irina,

I sent you an email with information to to your email address.

- Jim

I went to Europe, I connected my garmin 670 to the car and did not turn on. I let the gps connected to the car, and the next day powered ok. I went on my way fine. When I stopped it was working well. When I started the car that day.. I noticed the gps did not wanted to work. I turned off and on and nothing.
I connected to the computer and no sign of the gps. The computer did not registered the unit. I did rest and nothing.
The gps turns on, but the tough screen does not work.

2 years ago I did updated maps from a site on the net and worked well. This year I did the same with the European maps. I tested to see if that registered on the unit and did.

I don't know if the updated maps had something to do with it. I don't know what to do.

I know I have a brick now.

See comments below:

Touchscreen failure on certain production runs of the Nuvi 6xx are common and well known by the factory. This is part of the reason why that unit is no longer supported, however it is a relatively easy problem to fix. It is caused by a style of touchscreen, where over time, the conductive silver paint borders will fracture.

The paint dries out and fractures, causing the touchscreen to no longer function. Depending on the temperature, the touchscreen may sometimes work and then quit again. Updating the maps or firmware has nothing to do with it. It is a hardware failure.

Earlier models of the 6xx did not have this issue because the touchscreen style used was of a different type. The paint was thicker and less prone to fracturing. There are 6xx units that were made in 2006 that still have no touchscreen issues, whereas units made 3 years later have failed within a couple years.

If you want to read more about this issue and see pictures of the silver conductive borders, try here:

http://www.sharc.net/gps_LCD_repair.htm

If you want to read more about this issue and see pictures of the silver conductive borders, try here:

http://www.sharc.net/gps_LCD_repair.htm
[/quote]

I had the same problem and they fixed my Nuvi 765. Touch screen is now responsive.

I am electing to have my unit repaired since I don't see any new units offering the bluetooth and MP3 features the 660 has. I value them highly.

It's off to Sharc.net for repair.