Garmin 182C not reading maps

Hightower · 14 September 2008, 15:55

I've been having an increasing problem where my Garmin 182C won't come up with map detail, up to now I've been removing and replacing the map cartridge and this has been sorting the problem. However today I'm getting card wrong format or the detail will come up zoomed out but as soon as I require a higher detail the unit comes up with an hour glass symbol untill you zoom out again.

It's about 4 years old and have never had a problem.

Any suggestions?

Top banana · 14 September 2008, 20:24

could try ringing garmin an see if there is a software update. mine kept dropping out and freezing. a new software update cured it.

Hightower · 14 September 2008, 23:38

I will phone them anyway, but it'll be a bit strange that I've never had any problems like this in the past I doubt a software update will cure it.

Nos4r2 · 15 September 2008, 01:20

If you're coming next Saturday you can try plugging my card into it if you want to see if your card is U/S.

jyasaki · 15 September 2008, 08:06

What type of cards? Try cleaning the contacts (if they're edge connector types) by rubbing them with a pencil eraser, and wiping with a solvent (acetone should work, as will alcohol, MEK, etc.)

jky

Hightower · 15 September 2008, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

If you're coming next Saturday you can try plugging my card into it if you want to see if your card is U/S.

That'll be cool, thanks Mat.

Hightower · 15 September 2008, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

What type of cards? Try cleaning the contacts (if they're edge connector types) by rubbing them with a pencil eraser, and wiping with a solvent (acetone should work, as will alcohol, MEK, etc.)

jky

The Pins are hidden up inside the GPS and the contacts in the card are also hidden in the end of the RAM and accessable though holes in the casing. So don't really want to be soaking things in Acetone

Hightower · 15 September 2008, 17:55

Would vasaline work to help lubricate the contacts and stop things from oxidising?

jyasaki · 16 September 2008, 15:43

Vaseline is petroleum, which will probably degrade the plastic over time (and not necessarily much time, either...)

Silicone grease would be a better alternative. For small stuff, silicone spray.

jky

Stoo · 17 September 2008, 11:52

It almost sounds like some corrosion in there that has increased over time. There use to be a spray that was sold for underwater cameras that was squirted on exposed metal and electrical connections that removed the salt corrosion. You might try looking at a dive shop... I think it was called "Salt-away" or something original... Possibly even a little drop of white vinegar (not malt) can cut the salt...

My experience with salt and electronics is that silicone lubes etc don't fix the problem... they don't get rid of the salt. If that's what the problem is, and you can get it clean and working, then the silicone spray can reduce the likelihood of salt corrosion re-occurring.

jyasaki · 17 September 2008, 16:01

True. Silicone won't do too much for either salt or existing corrosion.

Salt Away or similar can be found at most boating stores (usually for flushing motors - be prepared to store a bunch of it.)

I'd opt for vinegar if you have salt build-up, but make sure you rinse the stuff afterward (the acid won't do much long term good for metal pieces.) A followup with a baking soda solution would probably be better still.

As an aside, I flooded a camera while diving. The camera and the housing electronics were both toast, but both media cards (an XD and a CF card) worked fine after a freshwater rinse and enough time to dry out. Didn't even lose any existing images.

jky

Hightower · 17 September 2008, 18:34

I phoned Garmin who where very helpful and suggested that I first do a Major reset that would return all settings to factory default and wipe all waypoints and history etc.

This I did, tonight. After about 10 mins of locking on to the satelites I inserted the card and all worked fine, so fingers crossed. It might have worked anyway, but I never tested it before I reset it.

The guy also told me that he'll send me though the post a card with the most recent updates on too, so a result there too.

I'll let you guys know how I get on over the weekend.

Thanks.

Hightower · 21 September 2008, 02:04

Took the 182C though it's paces yesterday and the same problem exists, Mat lent me his card and we swapped so at least we could see if it was the card or not. My card worked fine in Mats Garmin, however I could get Mats card to work with my unit, so at least I know it's the unit's fault

I did get some life out of the old girl after we left the Folly Inn and she worked (after some coaxing) all the way to the Needles and back home to Portsmouth.

So, I am waiting for the upgraded firmware to come though and we'll see if that helps..

IBWET · 21 September 2008, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Took the 182C though it's paces yesterday and the same problem exists, Mat lent me his card and we swapped so at least we could see if it was the card or not. My card worked fine in Mats Garmin, however I could get Mats card to work with my unit, so at least I know it's the unit's fault

I did get some life out of the old girl after we left the Folly Inn and she worked (after some coaxing) all the way to the Needles and back home to Portsmouth.

So, I am waiting for the upgraded firmware to come though and we'll see if that helps..

I'm interested in seeing if that does the job,I've exactly the same symptom with a Raymarine A65.

Hightower · 21 September 2008, 16:43

I still think it's a contact problem where the card pushes onto the pins. Dry joint or corrosion just don't now. I can't tell as the pins are hidden up a card sized hole that goes vertically up inside the unit, so it looks like I'll have to send it off to Garmin, I'm still waiting for the upgrade card though.

bedajim · 22 September 2008, 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBWET

I'm interested in seeing if that does the job,I've exactly the same symptom with a Raymarine A65.

Have you tried something like this ?

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=1014937

Hightower · 22 September 2008, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Have you tried something like this ?

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=1014937

Ohh I'll get some of that, thanks!

Hightower · 26 September 2008, 15:52

I stopped in at RS trade counter on the way home this afternoon.

I was told they don't stock Aerosols, one of only two brances in the UK that don't

I asked if it was something to do with the local Council? No relied the salesman, it because we supply the IOW with supplies the other branch being Aberdeen. Something to do with supplying Islands, if you can work that one out.

They'll happily send one by post though

I went in to buy Aerosols and by the time I'd finished was thinking of a word very similar

I'm gonna ring up Maplins and see if they can supply me.

Hightower · 11 October 2008, 17:27

I eventually received my upgrade chip from Garmin this week, so I stuck in in the slot once the unit was switched on. It said "loading software" then switched off

After several failed attempts to switch it back on I pulled the power from the whole unit. Then I tried to switch on with the chip in and all seemed to load OK.

I then pulled the upgrade chip out and replaced it with the Map chip, all loaded OK so fingers crossed

I'm off to the Garmin site later to see what 's been upgraded.

Top banana · 11 October 2008, 20:47

Andy what software version are you now showing.