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Re: Won't acquire satellites after hours of searching....
This is a common problem. There is a defective part on the GPS receiver board. I've repaired this issue many times. Please see this link for more info:
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It sounds like the "always on" power may not be connected to the stereo. I'd double-check the wiring. There should be two power connections, one for when the key is on, and one that is always on.
Take the GPS out of your van to an area with a clear view of the sky. Power the unit on. If the unit is working correctly, then it will acquire the satellites. You can then put the unit back in your van. You may have to reposition the unit to keep the satellite lock.
If the unit does not acquire satellites outside, then the unit is defective.
Hello there,
As GPS units are used, data is gathered which helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:
If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more than a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.
*Note: Some units may not be compatible with an external antenna. Please check the Compatible Devices tab on the external antenna's page to see if your unit is listed.
Hope this was helpful to you.
Goodluck
Elect_Comp
if you havent already charged the batteries, do that first before trying to use it...but it on the charger for a few hours, then take it outside in clear view of the open sky and turn it on...it could take up to 30 minutes to initially acquire the satellites from the off position.
try not to move the gps while its initially acquiring the satellites.
if that fails, let me know and i will help you further, but im sure someone has already told you to take it back, but the new one will do the same thing (if this is new out of the box) and please dont listen to anyone that tells you to do that or tells you to replace the batteries or even an update.
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As GPS units are used, data is gathered which
helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is
used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a
GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the
ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several
different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:
If your unit is trying
to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal
to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors
with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
If your unit has not
been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take
3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
If your unit is indoors,
it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will
block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock
onto a satellite signal.
If you have just
finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master
reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the
data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
If your unit has
traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it
may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
If your vehicle has a
protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere
with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in
order to acquire satellites.
If you suspect this to
be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view
of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If
your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will
most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring
satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software
by using our WebUpdater program. Once
your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a
stationary position with a clear view of the sky.
*Note: Some units may not be compatible with an external antenna.
Please check the Products tab on the external antenna's page to see if your
unit is listed. Good Luck. Did this help?
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As GPS units are used, data is gathered which
helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is
used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a
GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the
ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several
different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:
If your unit is trying
to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal
to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors
with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
If your unit has not
been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take
3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
If your unit is indoors,
it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will
block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and
lock onto a satellite signal.
If you have just
finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master
reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the
data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
If your unit has
traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it
may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
If your vehicle has a
protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere
with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in
order to acquire satellites.
If you suspect this to
be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view
of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If
your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will
most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring
satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software
by using our WebUpdater program. Once
your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a
stationary position with a clear view of the sky.
I had the same problem with my Nuvi 310. Found a solution in here that works. Here's a copy of the advice.....note you will need to get in the car and set it for a destination and go. 5-10 mins later the Garmin Nuvi will lose the satellites, but don't adjust it it, leave it on and keep going. Eventually after about an hour it will right itself, pick up the satellites and evrything will be back to normal.
Rank: Apprentice Rating: 81%, 49 votes I experienced the same problem about acquiring satellite signal even when it's a clear sunny day. After 30 mintues, it was still searching! The unit appeared to have "stuck" in this acquiring mode. The following worked for me: 1) open the GPS antenna 2) press the bottom left screen while holding the power button to turn the unit on 3) enter maintenace mode 4) select diagnostics 5) clear error report, do NOT clear any user data 6) restart unit the usual way
My GPS 350 was able to acquire satellite signal in less than 1 minute after the above steps were taken.
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