"GPS Module not Responding"

Simon B · 17 September 2007, 09:33

Our Lowrance 3500C keeps outputting this error message, we have checked the NMEA bus and it seems ok. We also checked how long it took for the unit to see that we'd disconnected it this was around 4-5 seconds. Therefore, we don't think it's losing power.

Has anyone else regularly had this problem? It will go away most of the time when you down power then re power.

JABS · 17 September 2007, 10:48

Hi,

We too have had this problem. Do you have the Lowrance 'blue' tee pieces?

I gather there are some issues and they have now redesigned the connectors. They are not backwards compatible!

Our GPS module started to drop off line. Eventually we had to replace the tee piece. Is yours mounted anywhere damp?? There was also an issue with the connectors not locking and lacking a firm detent to confirm locking.

Give me a PM if you want the whole saga, or a number to call me.

I would add that Lowrance have been very helpful. Could be that the Boat Show is a good place to raise the issue with the manufacturer.

Tony

neilb · 17 September 2007, 12:01

Our Lowrance chartplotter started outputing the same error message this Saturday. I powered off then on but it continues to display the message.

Have asked rib shop to have a look and report back.

Neil

RIVA · 17 September 2007, 12:19

make sure the ariel is powerd.yellow and red i think . most people dont relise you need to power the areial . if not you get the not responding message

parm · 17 September 2007, 14:33

i have the same problem but intermittent. I did have the ariel replaced which solved the problem for a while, now when it happens i just turn the thing on and off a few times. Another problem i have is that if i do not turn off the power at the isolator switch the plotter seems to switch on itself - well it flickers and omitts a beeping sound, again switching it on and off solves the problem

Simon B · 17 September 2007, 14:43

Interesting, we have another possibly related fault, we can power down the sonar - Lowrance 107CDF and the transducer will keeping pinging away like its still swithced on, which it probably is. As stated in other posts a repower/downpower stops it.

I've not seen ours switch on by itself yet but will look out for this. Other than this I cant fault the 2 instruments. The NauticPath chart card seems excellent for what we use it for.

antoine · 17 September 2007, 14:49

Hello,

Try a soft, at first, and if it's still wrong, a hard reset.

All is here: http://primus.lowrance.com/icr/Reset...s_Lowrance.pdf

Good luck.

Antoine

iainmartins · 17 September 2007, 23:38

I had the same problem but i find it go's away if i keep the cables dry.

Texel Tom · 18 September 2007, 14:29

This is probably a connection issue but what software version are you running in the LGC2000?

Arjen · 18 September 2007, 15:04

I had the same problem after putting the Lowrance fuel flow sensor in the network. Connected everything according to the Lowrance specs.
However, after upgrading the software version of the LCG2000 the problem went away.

Simon B · 18 September 2007, 15:58

Again interesting we have the older software and are planning the upgrade, however, we do have some tee pieces in an exposed potentially wet location. My preference would be to move the tees to offer better, drier protection. One of my mates will be asking the poeple at the Navico stand some probing questions on this. Similar to others the problem apeared after installing the fuel flow transducer.

I still like Lowrance's kit and will be satisified if they can help us with this in a positive way.

jyasaki · 23 September 2007, 00:42

I *think* that the reason Lowrance went from the large-ish blue connectors to the smaller red ones was to come in line with the emerging industry standard for NMEA 2000. The red ones are a more standard connector, while the blue ones are proprietary Lowrance connectors.

jky

Simon B · 24 September 2007, 12:10

jky,

I was aware of this, having looked at the blue connectors quite closely, they appear to do the job but I must say they dont inspire confidence. The gaskets could be better quality "O" rings and the the detents dont really lock it solid reliably in that some do and some dont so there is a great variance in the "feel" to the connection of the various connectors.

JABS · 25 September 2007, 11:37

I just received some of the new standard of blue connectors from the US. The body is black and they are very very tight to lock. Clearly redesigned.

Yes, the red ones are the new industry standard for NMEA2000.

Tony

Simon B · 25 September 2007, 12:31

Most interesting, the boat was out this weekend just gone and had intermittant "GPS module not responding" error messages so remaking the connections and excluding the water hasnt really worked.

Next maintenance day we might check the resistance of various parts of the network looking for water ingress/damage. Over winter I want to flush mount all the electronics into a housing which would reduce the exposure to the elements whilst in transit or storage.