Garmin GPS Not Working - Antenna Input Shorted Error

TurboDan · 07-02-2009, 06:58 PM

Hi Everyone,

Anyone ever see an "antenna input shorted" error message on a Garmin GPS? I have the basic monochrome GPS (152? I think) and it worked great until the other day. I turned it on and it wouldn't pick up any satellites.

Tonight, I unscrewed the antenna cable, tried to tighten everything at the connector where it goes into the GPS unit and plugged it back in and got this message. Now, it's coming up every time I turn the GPS on. Before it just had seemingly no signal and now I'm getting this error.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd really appreciate it. I wanted to hit some specific inshore reef sites this weekend for fishing and without a GPS that's damn near impossible.

mike343 · 07-02-2009, 08:45 PM

First trouble-shooting step would be to disconnect the antenna and turn the unit on. If the "antenna short" message goes away (just no signal) you probably have a short in the antenna circuit. You could then check for a short in the antenna with an ohm meter (every one should have a cheap multimeter) .

TurboDan · 07-02-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike343

First trouble-shooting step would be to disconnect the antenna and turn the unit on. If the "antenna short" message goes away (just no signal) you probably have a short in the antenna circuit. You could then check for a short in the antenna with an ohm meter (every one should have a cheap multimeter) .

Well, the antenna short message only comes on when the antenna is connected. The thing is, though, that I didn't see that message since I played with the metal antenna connector a bit in an attempt to possibly tighten it up.

TurboDan · 07-02-2009, 11:07 PM

I've been doing some more research and on another forum, someone mentioned that a "pinched" wire or even corrosion can make this error message pop up. Is there any chance I "pinched" the wire when I tried to tighten everything up?

What's the maximum damage on this? Can I just replace the connector (buy a new one and crimp it on) or will I have to replace the entire antenna?

capybob · 07-02-2009, 11:28 PM

what does the end look like. Is it a BNC connector? If so you can get a new one from Radio Shack and install it and then be good to go make sure you install it correctly. You may be able to take yours apart and re-install it. (resolder tip and strip braid back/ fold over etc. BNC's are not that difficult. Center conductor and shield can not touch each other ie: short

TurboDan · 07-03-2009, 09:32 AM

Yeah, it's a BNC connector. Maybe I'll run over to Radio Shack today and check them out today. I hate to have to go over the bridge the day before the 4th of July, though! Could take an hour!

I'm wondering if I may have caused the short with my messing around with it, however, which wouldn't account for the original problem of the satellites not being picked up. Perhaps the connector just needed some cleaning or something.