Garmin NMEA 0183 GPS Troubleshooting

If a GPSMAP® series chartplotter is not able to acquire satellites, the issue is usually with the remote antenna that is connected to the device.

Verify correct wiring

If the device is using a GPS 17N, GPS 17 HVS, GPS 17x HVS, GPS 19x HVS or a GPS 24xd HVS antenna which connects to the device over bare wires, the first troubleshooting step is to ensure the antenna is wired correctly to the device. Please follow the appropriate diagram in the article: Installing a NMEA 0183 GPS Antenna (HVS) to a Garmin Chartplotter

Checking the fuse

Next, check to make sure the fuse in the power cable of the antenna is good. Remove the fuse and inspect to see if it is blown. Another alternative to test it is to use a multimeter to test the resistance in the fuse. Connect the terminals of the multimeter to each end of the fuse and measure the amount of ohms. 0 ohms means that the fuse is still good; whereas, infinite resistance means the fuse is bad and needs to be replaced.

Checking antenna data output

The next troubleshooting step is to ensure the antenna is outputting data to the chartplotter by measuring the voltage output of the antenna with a volt-meter.

• If using a GPS 17 HVS antenna, disconnect the White wire of the antenna's cable from the chartplotter and connect it to the positive lead of the volt-meter. Connect the negative lead of the volt-meter to the common ground of the boat.
  
  
• If using a GPS 17x HVS, GPS 19x HVS or GPS 24xd HVS antenna, disconnect the Gray wire of the antenna's cable from the chartplotter and connect it to the positive lead of the volt-meter. Connect the negative lead of the volt-meter to the common ground of the boat.

With the chartplotter powered on, the antenna should start to output the data. Set the volt meter to measure DC voltage. A working antenna will pulse a voltage once every second or two. This is an electrical indication that the antenna is sending data to the chartplotter. If the volt-meter reads a steady voltage, this indicates that the antenna is no longer working and will need to be replaced.

The current antenna that is available is the GPS 24xd HVS. The GPS 19x HVS, GPS 17 HVS and the GPS 17x HVS have been discontinued.

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