Can Dielectric grease affect GPS Connection?

[Lancerdad34]

I have an older Garmin GPSMap 492 that had occasional issues last season finding satellites. So far at the start of this season it is not acquiring them. Last fall I put dielectric grease on the connector. Can that be the cause? If so what is the best way to clean that grease off?

Thanks,

Brian in MI

 

[Scott Danforth]

electrical contact cleaner

 

[H20Rat]

Last fall I put dielectric grease on the connector. Can that be the cause?

Diaelectric grease is a really good insulator, and you should never use it directly on the metal parts that are meant to conduct. Guessing you got some on the conductors, and when you are talking a weak RF signal, it doesn't take much to completely kill it.

 

[dingbat]

A bit of dielectric isn't going to bother a thing.

The unit has been obsolete and without software updates for a number of years. Need the updates to keep pace with changes in the satellite constellations.

Could be the battery backup on CMOS died and the unit has lots it mind. Is the unit showing the correct time and date?

Are you using a remote antenna?

If so, the antenna may have died. Buying a replacement isn’t cost effective given the obsolescence of the unit.