Garmin 162 Antenna short - The Hull Truth

Joe W · 07-24-2002, 03:24 PM

I had a problem this weekend while using my GPS. I lost satellite reception several times. Each time on the screen a message came up that said " antenna wire is shorted" All connections seemed tight. I called the dealer where I purchased the unit from to see if this covered under warranty. He said that it is probally the BNC connector on the antenna wire and recommended replacing it, which I will do. Has anyone had a similar problem like this with this unit?

Thanks for any info

Joe

Gil Morgan · 07-24-2002, 05:26 PM

Joe, you have all kinds of electrical problems these days. The BNC connector is the logical place to start. Could be a wire from the braid is touching the center conductor of the coax at the connector. If this is a factory installed BNC, be prepared to put in a new one since I doubt that you can save the old one. Frankly, I think the problem is in the Antenna module itself and not the BNC. If the braid is touching the center conductor, it does it all of the time and not sometimes. Connector problems usually result in open circuits, not shorts.
good luck.

kennethk · 07-24-2002, 07:00 PM

Happend to me once when I had the 162 a couple years ago. I sent an email to Garmin and they told me how to do a 'reset'.

"antenna shorted to ground is usually due to a momentary conection between the unit and the antenna cable. Disconnect the antenna from the unit. Turn the power on without the antenna for a few moments, then turn the unit off. Reconnect cable and turn unit on. If mesage is still there the antenna needs to be replaced."

It did not seem to work for me. They sent me a new antenna. After I replaced the antenna I tried the old antenna just for kicks. The old antena was now working.

I think I might have gotten water someone that caused the short. It then dried out.

Try emailing Garmin

Ken

Joe W · 07-25-2002, 08:02 AM

Gil/ken,

Thanks for the responses. I plan to purchase the BNC connector to have on hand, and will contact garmin to see what they will do.

Joe

Thom · 07-25-2002, 08:39 AM

Unless Garmin has changed their way lately i suspect that a close reading of your Owner's Manual will tell you that Garmin really frowns on people changing those connectors - as in they will void your warranty if you do it. At least that's the way they acted on a lot of other models - no reason I know of to think they have changed. Call them, let them take care of it. Forget about your dealer for advice, there are very few of them that are qualified to do much more than flip burgers.

Thom

"I command thee, O fish of the ocean, rise to my bait"

Joe W · 07-25-2002, 12:58 PM

I called Garmin this morning and explained the problem. The tech. said the problem is more than likley the BNC connecter. Since I did not have my serial # , I faxed my purchase reciept and he said he would send out a new antenna the next day.
Thats what I call good sevice, I was afraid that they would want the old antenna first to check out and then send out a new one. This is why I will continue to purchase Garmin products in the future.

Joe