Topic: 787c2i internal GPS issue

[snowman48047]

Back again with another new problem. Just got temp reading figured out...    Went fishing yesterday and got the "No position fix" message on GPS screen.  Cycled through all screens, cycled power, checked battery voltage, fuses, wire connections, setting for GPS on "AUTO" (made no difference if on "INTERNAL" or "AUTO"), etc. Diag screen shows connected, the signal screen has no readings on it, no position, satelites, time, nothing.  GPS started working after about 1.5 to 2 hours.  Is this an indication that the INTERNAL antenna may be going bad?  I was 2 miles out on Lake St. Clair.

It seems that it has been taking longer and longer to get a position fix, but it has never taken more than 5-7 minutes before.

[Humminbird_Greg]

That is what it is sounding like snowman.  The internal GPS Receiver is failing.

[snowman48047]

Thanks Greg that is what I was afraid of.  What is the fix?  Send it in and have it replaced? or can I use an external GPS antenna?  Or maybe its time for a new unit?  This is an 8-9 year old 700 series...

[Humminbird_Greg]

snowman,
You can send it in to be fixed by at a $277.45 repair charge you may want to put that money to use elsewhere.

That unit takes the GR16 external GPS Receiver but we no longer list these for sale, so you may have to shop around to find one that works.

You may just want to look at a new unit.

[snowman48047]

Thought I would add something to this; 

ALWAYS THOROUGHLY CHECK ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS FIRST!

I had started looking at newer h'bird and other units for a good replacement as I was experiencing GPS issues after fixing other problems with my 787. After an early July major rainstorm filled my bilge and the pump quit working I decided I needed to replace the bilge pump first. After racing to West Marine for a pump and racing home to install it between storms I noticed as I was working in the stern that the power supply wire for my 787 had become disconnected at a soldering joint.  It was completely corroded and I was surprised that it held together when I checked a few weeks earlier.  After stripping back to good wire and re connecting my GPS works as it should. Apparently low voltage caused by corroded connections was the culprit.