My Garmin 396

[mooneygirl]

Hello all

 

My Garmin 396 has started giving me fits.  One minute it is fine, then it says USB attached, when it isn't. Then it switches back to normal. Then it says XM antennae not attached [when it is] then XM attached.  Later on in that same ten minutes I might get XM not responding.

 

What is going on here? Do I need a software update or??  The contacts and cables have been cleaned yielding no positive results.

Thanks in advance

 

Ready to throw it out the Window Lucas

[sixsixX]

Be sure the connectors go in fairly tight, if it is removed from your plane or yoke mounted it just could be making a bad connection into the unit from movement or regular wear, if you can, examine the connectors as you plug/unplug them.  A small pick/screwdriver can spread them carefully to make a solid connection into the unit, once you get them solid a small drop of clear silicone on the connector can help to insure movement is kept to a minimum and can be removed easily if need be. Be sure to check the cables/antenna for kinks or extreme bends, this can cause problems as well. Ive had a 196 and a 496 and these are the most common problems with your issue, I dont belive a software issue is the cause.  I hope this helps, Tough flying without these units !!

[N6784N]

I have a 396, it actually came with the plane. I live in i tihnk the worse part of the country for flying which is the WASH/BALT TFR and not too happy about flying in this area without a moving map gps. anyway sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If I have it on the yoke on the pilots side, it never finds enough satelites so it tries to go into sim mode. If I install it on the passenger side yoke, it works maybe half the time and the other half tries the sim mode. I bought a new cable to no avail. anybody else have this problem?

[mooneygirl]

We sent the antenna back to Garmin, and they sent us a new one.  They say the cables are the weak link. 

[RJBrown]

I would just send it in to Garmin. A year ago My 295 would not funtion on internal batteries. I called Garmin and they said to send it in with  no batteries or accesories. It came back with new batteries, a fresh database and a new antennae. There was a note about what they fixed and NO bill. (Maybe they want to sell me a 430) In your case I would want to send in the cables though.

[carusoam]

To identify if it is a week antenna...

Try it with the other radios on and the radios off.  My old narco radios created so much noise that my Garmin 196 could only pick up a signal with the remote antenna.  Even with the remote, A few times it dropped the signal and was unable to come back online until I was on the ground.

You can watch the signal strength fade when the Narcos are turned on.  Elsewhere on this board is a discussion of radio interference and antennae for the 430/530 that may shed light on your situation.

Today, I am using much upgraded King radios.  The 196 is relegated to back up duties, but does fine, even with the short stub antenna.

Or maybe skip this and just follow Randy and Jolie's advice, it sounds like it needs some service one way or another.

- anthony -