Thread: Garmin Monterra - no battery charging and USB-PC connection

Here is a link to get a new Garmin Lithium-ion Battery Pack for the Garmin Monterra

Spoiler: Garmin Poland

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

@Thomlodz
Many Garmin devices are very prone to their USB socket suffering physical damage. For instance: (i) the socket's internal pins may be bent or broken; or (ii) its soldered connections to the PCB may be damaged. Easily corrected by repairing/replacing the socket in the first instance and by simply reflowing the solder in the second instance. Often with those particular problems the device can be charged but there's no USB recognition of the device by computer, or vice versa. Sometimes it's as you've experienced and there's neither function. There can also be a failure of integral components on the PCB resulting in such symptoms and that's usually the case once the USB socket and cable used have been proved serviceable.

@Butters,

All that is great but not trying what I have pointed out be for going down the road of so called repairing the USB port.

You pointed out:

I quote you:

"A common mistake is using a generic socket to replace a damaged Garmin socket. They're usually different and it's hard to find a suitable match from electronic parts suppliers. If a socket has broken pins internally i now only use scavenged sockets from devices with bricked boards, they are at least a guaranteed fit."

That alone said do not try it.

I have 25 Garmin units dated back as far as 2007 and they all work.
Have never used and generic cables or charger on any of the GPS units.

Been using only genuine Garmin cables and chargers both for car and house.
To many times users do not watch how the plug cables into their USB ports and make a problem for themselves.

This unit being second hand to start with we do not know how well it was taken care of in the first place.

Some times a little TLC on the unit will do a world of good...... to bring life into the unit again.

I suppose you're against ppl attempting what is essentially a basic repair because of the potential for collateral damage thru inexperience? However, it's not hard to find information on how to safely open a particular Garmin device and then even if someone doesn't know how to solder it's not rocket science to learn or just get it done by someone else like the guy in the second video. If you wouldn't do it that's fine of course and the OP may-well also decide not to attempt repairing the socket which is also fine. He can now make a decision armed with the information of how to at least investigate his device's problem, or leave it how it is now. Most devices with this problem don't need the socket replaced, they only need the connections repaired.

If someone want to take the risk of making a paper weight out of there GPS, then by all means do it.

But I know from all the user's you have tried to help in one way or another.
Most if not all do not know what they are doing in the first place.
Anyone that has any PC background does not format the memory of the GPS unit.

You remove the GPS from the PC.
You then take the SD card out.
Then put the SD card in the PC and do what you need to do.
Then you format the SD card if it really needs formatting......
But how many have done it the wrong way.

Plus I question why so many are even formatting in the first place!!!


I take my hat off you you to have so much patients with these users over and over again.

You have repeated your instruction many time over.
Users need to take the time to read how you have attempted to help some other user with out you having to repeat the help over and over again.

You do a great job and service for the users.

Saying that users need to really pay attraction to what they are doing and not make these fundamental mistakes. ( IT 101 )

PS
I have an electrical background from both the US and Europe along with a very long IT background.

There are lots of thing I repair or install new.
But I keep my fingers off of items like Smartphones , Tablets , Garmin GPS's and TomTom GPS

But again well done with your help to others in this forum.....

Originally Posted by Butters

@Thomlodz
Many Garmin devices are very prone to their USB socket suffering physical damage. For instance: (i) the socket's internal pins may be bent or broken; or (ii) its soldered connections to the PCB may be damaged. Easily corrected by repairing/replacing the socket in the first instance and by simply reflowing the solder in the second instance. Often with those particular problems the device can be charged but there's no USB recognition of the device by computer, or vice versa. Sometimes it's as you've experienced and there's neither function. There can also be a failure of integral components on the PCB resulting in such symptoms and that's usually the case once the USB socket and cable used have been proved serviceable.

OK. Im thinking on purchasing a hot-air soldering device, perhaps it will be useful for me in the future. Is it Garmin USB cable different form a standard one? Perhaps there is a resistor built-in?
And now another question. I noticed that if the Monterra is powered with the battery and I connect it by cable to USB port od PC or external charger and then disconnect the cable the following info is displayed on the screen "Power disconnected, stay with the battery or switch off?" or something like that. So I think the external voltage is detected by the navigation.
And perhaps there is a software problem? I cannot update the firmware via Internet because it is most up to date. But perhaps it is possible to install it form a memory card? I found this page:

Code:

Please Login or Register to see the links

BI have installed the GOA, but it did not help. And what about the firmware (213 MB)? How to reinstall it?