UPDATE - Problems with Garmin 3210 chart plotter

Chesagansett

Chesagansett

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I have a Garmin 3210 Chartplotter. I think it's about 4 years old, if I recall correctly.

On an outing a couple weeks ago, it was acting up. It kept losing GPS position and the speed reading would be lost, too. The depth/sounder readout continued to work and disply fine on the plotter. I shut down the plotter unit, and re-started it. All readings came back and worked fine. About a minute later, I lost the GPS position and speed again. Again, I shut it down and re-started it, and all functions worked again. A short while later, the same thing happened again. Re-started it. All fine. Then failed again. This happened over and over again for the last 30 minutes of the trip, until I was back at the dock. There were probably 10 shut-downs and re-starts. I could have easily navigated back to the dock without the plotter, but was trying to figure out what was wrong, and if the problem would resolve itself by shut-down and re-start. Obviously, that worked, but only temporarily.

I figure there must be some sort of "reset" it needs.?? But, on the next outing with the boat, the plotter unit wouldn't start up at all. Nothing. Nada. Blank screen.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
 
For starters check power connections could be as simple as a bad ground. Hopefully you have easy access the the connection on the back. Unplug each connector and look at each pin for any sign of corrosion. Then test with a meter to see that you are getting 12+ volts.

Best of luck I hope it's an easy fix.
 
Glenn,

Have you updated the software on the unit lately? Check your account at Garmin's website to see if anything is available. If you need to call them, early in the morning seems best to get through.
 
Thanks. What do you mean by "check your account at Garmin?"
What "account"? Do all Garmin owners have an account?
Even if it needs an update, I'm not sure I can do that with a blank screen, and what looks to be be no power going to it now.

Thanks.
 
Had some start up problems with mine in the Spring - called Garmin and they were very helpful. I didn't have an account - just give them the serial #
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chesagansett

Thanks. What do you mean by "check your account at Garmin?"
What "account"? Do all Garmin owners have an account?
Even if it needs an update, I'm not sure I can do that with a blank screen, and what looks to be be no power going to it now.

Thanks.

Click to expand...


Go on line to garmin.com. They provide a means of registering your Garmin units and starting an account. No charges involved.

It makes it easier to work with them on any future problems.

george
 
I wonder if it could be a bad antenna connection? I would try cleaning the male and female ends that go into the unit, might as well do the power side connection while you are at it.
 
can't be a power issue since the unit dind't reboot and the sounder was working fine. if' you're only loosing position, chances are the antenna is the problem.

start with the antenna cable, make sure it's not damaged or that the plug isnt' corroded (if it's mounted in an exposed area).

I had a similar problem with mine a few years ago, would loose position randomly. I traced the antenna cable and found that whoever had installed it didn't put any chafe protection where it entered the antenna support. cable was rubbing against sharp metal edge and 2 of the small wires inside were bare. fixed them and all was good.

start there.
 
Pascal -

At first I was thinking it was the antenna, because I was losing position. But, the next time I went out I got no power at all. Blank screen.
 
Glenn when you lose the GPS connection go to the sat. display (GPS) tab what do you see?
Bill
 
BillyIII - As of the most recent trip, I don't see anything. I can't get the unit to power on. It's a totally blank screen now.
 
UPDATE:

Okay, I found the source of the problem with not getting any power to the unit. There was a blown 3A fuse in the power cable. I replaced it, and now got power. Took the boat out for a ride, and all seems fine. No loss of position or speed. All is fine.
Just a guess, but the fuse might have blown from me powering the unit on and off several times when I kept trying to reset it. ?? I dunno. Anyway, I have no idea why I lost position and speed, which was the original problem. That would point to antenna issues. But, all wporks fine now, and I didn't do anything to try to fix any antenna problems, except examine the antenna line for breaks / chafes, etc. All looked fine.

Thanks for everyone's help.
 
The GPS antenna on the 3200 series Garmin plotter's is NMEA0183 check those connections, they are not coaxial just standard thin wires. You need ground, power, NMEA0183 - and NMEA data out. Many installers use round crimp connectors they are terrible you might want to find the pigtail near the charter and make sure they are soldered and heat shrink wrapped.
Bill
 
Glen if your GPS antenna is bad I have a spare I would be willing to give you for the 3210.
Bill
 
Thanks for the offer, Bill. - Everything is working fine now. I'm just not sure why I lost speed and position in the first place? But, all is good now, and no complaints. I did solder and heat shrink all the connections when I originally installed it.

Thanks.

Glenn
 
No problem if you need the antenna in the future just ask.
Bill
 
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