Topic: GPS off and on and shows unconnected

[Derrick]

Hello, everyone, I have 1197combo and the GPS puck works sometimes and then just blinks and says unconnected. The unit diagnostics test comes back good but the GPS is unconnected. Do I need to get a new GPS puck,if so what GPS puck do I need?

[rnvinc]

While watching the accessories connected page ...wiggle the GPS connector at the back of the unit to see if it may be a loose connection....

Try bending the pins in the GPS cable connector slightly away from each other...(it doesn't take much)...

Do you know anyone else's with a HB Combo unit you can test on your power and GPS antenna...??

Rickie

[Derrick]

Thank you for your reply, I have slightly bent the pins on all the connections and put some dielectric  grease on them  but still when I touch any of the wires the unit shuts off and you have to power it back on.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Are you using the connector collector to hold the cables to the 1197 unit?
Usually bending the pins of the power cable in opposite directions away from each other helps when there is intermittent power problems.  Won’t help except to keep further corrosion (if there is any) from happening.  Make sure that the cable connectors are well seated and do not move around in the connector collector.  Once we have the power figured out we can troubleshoot the GPS.

[Derrick]

Thank you, I have the unit mounted inside under the t-top. I was wondering if maybe to much vibration at this location? If you think that could be a problem,I could move the unit down to the console and use a Ram mount...I will also redo the pins and check the seat and stationary cap.

[Humminbird_Greg]

It could have an impact on the connectors wearing out Derrick but there would be no way to know for sure without comprehensive testing on your boat.

[Derrick]

Thank you for your responses, I have removed the plugs on the back of the unit and bent the pins apart on all the connections. The power stays on when I move the wires,the GPS still seems to blink on and off (connected and unconnected ) even if I move the connector plug.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Is the GPS Receiver plugged directly into your 1197 unit or is it plugged into an AS-YC cable?  Test it plugged directly into your 1197 unit if it is not already.

There should be a second shorter wire (NMEA pigtail) that comes out of the connector for the GPS Receiver.  With the unit off, try removing the black plastic cap on the end of this second cable and separate the wires you find.  Power your unit on again and see if this helps or not.  If it does; cut and separate the wires to that when you put the black plastic cap back on they do not short to each other or anything on the boat.  If no help, try testing another Humminbird unit on your 1197 unit’s connections.

[Derrick]

Thank you, is the AS-YC cable the one with the Pigtail?

[Humminbird_Greg]

No, not as I would describe it.

[Derrick]

I do have the as - yc cable, I disconnected it plugged straight in the unit and spread the wires on the pigtail,
It connected for about a minute then started blinking. Everyone I fish with uses lowrance , and no one in town has a GR 50 puck, should I order one and have it overnight to me to try,or are any other things I can try?

[Humminbird_Greg]

Sometimes poor electrical connections or a weak battery to the unit can cause GPS problems.  You can check all of the electrical connections between the unit and the battery it is powered from for any that are loose or corroded.  Be sure and check the fuse, fuse holder plus the battery connections and you may want to get your battery load tested too.

Other than that your only choices are to try another GPS Receiver (either the GR16 or GR50 will work) or send it all into Humminbird to test.
You may want to check the Member Map on this web site to see if anyone else in is your area who would let you cross-test.

[Derrick]

I ordered GR 16 this morning,they said their GR 50 is no longer in production and would have to update software and go with gr 16 or GR S P , didn't want to complicate the problem with a software change just yet. I will let you know the results when I get the new puck.

[Derrick]

Thank you for your suggestions , I replaced GPS puck and fished today for 7 hours and everything worked as it should.