430W started doing something weird!!!

[Brantel]

All of a sudden my 430W has started failing to dead reckoning mode about 10 minutes after I turn it on. Prior to this it locks on and displays the map page like normal. Once it goes int DR mode, the sat page shows no signals at all. In about 1 minute, it will slowly start to reaquire the sats. Once it is back, it runs fine for the rest of the flight.

I did some searching and it seems that this is a common issue but I have never seen this reported here. The other forums where people have reported it state that Garmin has been replacing antennas when this happens.

Anyone have or ever had this issue?

I think my warranty is short so I need decide what to do about it.....

[Ironflight]

I have it happen frequently when I get into a series of Aerobatic maneuvers, so I blame it on reception and blanking, the Old 430 seemed to be very happy doing Acro, and never did this, but the "W" seems to get airsick. I have not had it happen in normal flight.

Paul

[Brantel]

The last two flights, first it happened on climb out wings level, second it happened taxiing to the run up area after being on for a few minutes prior to moving.

The thing is that it completely loses all signals and then in about a minute they start slowly coming back. Almost like clock work.

[AlexPeterson]

There is some discussion of this very problem in this thread.

[Brantel]

Garmin Aviation Email Support has replied to my request for support on this issue and has stated that most likely based on the symptoms that it is the WAAS antenna. I have emailed Stein to see how to proceed since he is my dealer, per Garmin's suggestion.

Will let you all know how it turns out.

I have since been looking at searches for this issue and have found dozens of similar reports on other forums. Seems that there might be an issue with these WAAS antennas that come with the 430W centered around a similar age that my unit fits into.

[Adam]

I had some of the same issues, Garmin sent me a new antenna thought all was good, went to Sun / Fun 430w dropped 8 times in 10hr of flying. Still not fixed!

[donoltman]

We fought this for two years in a be58. In the end one of the gold pins in the TNC connector wasn't quite long enough and would drop signal when it felt like it. Make sure you only have connectors on each end and the pins are the perfect length. Garmin was no help.
Don

[Brantel]

Originally Posted by donoltman

We fought this for two years in a be58. In the end one of the gold pins in the TNC connector wasn't quite long enough and would drop signal when it felt like it. Make sure you only have connectors on each end and the pins are the perfect length. Garmin was no help.
Don

This is a possibility but the symptoms do not really match a bad connection. It appears to be temperature related. From boot up to dropout takes about 10 minutes with the engine running (antenna under cowl, in front of firewall). After dropout, it takes about 1 minute and then the sats start to slowly come back. Once they are back, there are no issues for the remainder of the flight. Wiggling connectors, cables etc. has no effect on the signal.

If it were a bad connection, I would expect more erratic symptoms.

These things are suppose to be bullet proof. Goes to prove the fact that TSO's don't mean much....

The more I investigate, the more people I am finding that have had/have similar issues.

[SteinAir]

Originally Posted by Brantel

This is a possibility but the symptoms do not really match a bad connection. It appears to be temperature related. From boot up to dropout takes about 10 minutes with the engine running (antenna under cowl, in front of firewall). After dropout, it takes about 1 minute and then the sats start to slowly come back. Once they are back, there are no issues for the remainder of the flight. Wiggling connectors, cables etc. has no effect on the signal.

If it were a bad connection, I would expect more erratic symptoms.

These things are suppose to be bullet proof. Goes to prove the fact that TSO's don't mean much....

The more I investigate, the more people I am finding that have had/have similar issues.

Ahhh....but remember that mounting it under the firewall is not encouraged nor recommended by Garmin - though it seems to work well for many, the antenna was designed to be on the outside of the airplane to work at it's full potential and reliability. Anytime you deviate significantly from the conditions which mfgr's recommend, it can be a **** shoot.

That being said, if there is a problem with the antenna, then we'll just get it replaced or fixed!

Cheers,
Stein

[Brantel]

Stein,

You are the man...

Getting serial #'s for your guy tonight. Great service!

Strange thing about the reports of similar issues to mine are that most of em are in certified installs????? I duno.....