Portable Garmin GPS for car

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,

Does the GPS work outside of the vehicle?
Where is the GPS mounted?
If the GPS is under the dash, mounting it up on top of the dash will help.
If the Vauxhall has a windshield with a reflective metallic coating or treatment in the glass, this may result in poor GPS satellite reception.

you probably just need to update the software.

The GPS needs a clear view of the sky and at least 3 or more satellites to get a fix on your position. If you are under a heavy canopy of tree cover / brush, it can affect accuracy and even the GPS's ability to get a fix at all. Also, if you are in a mountainous region, the geometry of your location and the location of the satellites over the equator could be obstructed, resulting in the lost satellite messages. You must have an unobstructed view of the southern sky to get a fix.

If you are able to get a fix in an open area, the GPS is able to do its job, but the location you're trying to use it in is offers too much interference to capture satellite signals.

Making sure you've got the latest firmware from Garmin can solve a lot of troubles, too. If you still believe that your GPS isn't working the way it should, contact Garmin Support.

I hope this helps - and good luck. Please rate my reply - thank you.

This is a common problem with units having the serial numbers beginning with "14V", "12P" and "143". It's caused by a defective SHARP touchscreen and needs to be replaced. Please see this link for more info:

http://www.sharc.net/gps_LCD_repair.htm


- Jim

Hi Cathy,

Please see this link for more information on this problem and how to have it resolved:


http://www.sharc.net/gps_antenna_repair.htm

- Jim

I am having the same problem with my nuvi 350 and its about the same age. I read on another post it may need a new battery but you need to send it to garmin. I am going to contact garmin directly.

I have the same problem, and so far the only solution is patience. If you are in a cutting, or between tall buildings, and the satellites are low down on the horizon, then it seems reasonable that reception will be between poor and zero. But in wide open spaces mine too sometimes loses the signal. Hang in there, and contact is restored.
LocoTorque

I have a Garmin c330 Streetpilot GPS system. It says that it unable to locate a satellite

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.

Here's the advice:


happy2surf


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.