GPS stopped working

[EMTJD]

I’ve had my 536 for about two years, now, and the GPS device had been doing its thing. “GPS” shows in the display and the little red LED was blinking.

For several months, though, it hadn’t worked at all. No “GPS” showing, no red LED on. There was power through the 12VDC plug because the red light was lit.

So, I took it out and went to my local HRO store, where I bought it, to see if they had any ideas. I’d already called Uniden and they said they do not sell the separate receiver, that I had to buy a whole new package. The guy at HRO said these things either work or they don’t. The only thing he suggested was to do a “hard reset” of the radio which might make the radio start “talking” to the GPS unit again. I went back outside, hooked it back up again and — BAM! It’s working. And it’s worked for the last three weeks. Until just yesterday morning, it wasn’t, anymore.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why this isn’t working for me? I can’t find out how to do a “hard reset”. The only functions under the “Reset” menu on the 536 is to “Reset User Data”, which I did and so far no results. And “Clear Favorites Lists” (I think that’s what it is).

Looking for help on this. Don’t want to have to buy another one for $80.

 

[UPMan]

If the red light on the GPS isn't blinking, the problem is with the GPS. There is nothing you can do to the scanner to make the GPS work. Don't reset your scanner.


I'd suspect that the GPS has an intermittent power issue.

 

[jonwienke]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AMAJFUO/

It's a drop-in replacement for the Uniden puck. It appears to be made by the same manufacturer as the Uniden unit, and has the same plug and wire colors internally. The only difference seems to be the sticker on top.

Before buying this, check to see if there is 5V between the 2 middle pins of the PS2 plug on the Y-cable when the 12V plug is plugged in. If the Y-cable has power, but the GPS puck isn't powering up, then the puck is bad. If there is no power on the Y-cable when the 12V plug is plugged in, then the Y-cable is bad.

 

[EMTJD]

If the red light on the GPS isn't blinking, the problem is with the GPS. There is nothing you can do to the scanner to make the GPS work. Don't reset your scanner.


I'd suspect that the GPS has an intermittent power issue.

Thanks for the response, Paul. There is power at through the 12VDC plug, but it’s getting through to the GPS device. I was told by Uniden Tech Support as well as by my local HRO store that that half of the unit is not sold as a separate piece. However, there is a link posted in this thread showing such a part. I think I’ll go ahead and order that.

 

[EMTJD]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AMAJFUO/

It's a drop-in replacement for the Uniden puck. It appears to be made by the same manufacturer as the Uniden unit, and has the same plug and wire colors internally. The only difference seems to be the sticker on top.

Before buying this, check to see if there is 5V between the 2 middle pins of the PS2 plug on the Y-cable when the 12V plug is plugged in. If the Y-cable has power, but the GPS puck isn't powering up, then the puck is bad. If there is no power on the Y-cable when the 12V plug is plugged in, then the Y-cable is bad.

Thanks for this, it certainly does appear that it will work perfectly. I don’t care what it says on the sticker so long as it works. Price is right. Better than $80 from Uniden for additional parts I don’t need. But first, I’ll try with the VOM, as you suggest, and see if there is power at the pins.

 

[EMTJD]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AMAJFUO/

Before buying this, check to see if there is 5V between the 2 middle pins of the PS2 plug

Tried to do this, but the holes are too small for the pins on my VOM to get into. Guess I just have to buy the part that was posted.

 

[jonwienke]

Paper clips. Don't cross the streams.

 

[EMTJD]

Paper clips. Don't cross the streams.

I'm not a techie, but I should have figured that one out. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[EMTJD]

Paper clips. Don't cross the streams.

Regular paper clips too big. Tried the "gem" clips, the smaller ones. Not sure they were making contact, nothing registered on the VOM, though the red LED light showed there was power on the 12VDC plug. I PRESUME there is power getting to the end of that cable, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[iMONITOR]

Does anyone have any ideas as to why this isn’t working for me? I can’t find out how to do a “hard reset”. The only functions under the “Reset” menu on the 536 is to “Reset User Data”, which I did and so far no results. And “Clear Favorites Lists” (I think that’s what it is).

Looking for help on this. Don’t want to have to buy another one for $80.

Could this have anything to do with it?


The Air Force Turned Off GPS To Rehearse a War Without It

Red Flag 2018 is a dry run for a war without satellite navigation.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a15949440/air-force-no-gps-red-flag/

 

[FKimble]

If the paper clip is too big, just ask your wife for a couple straight pins. Worst case get a piece of stranded wire and unwrap two pieces as long as needed.

Frank KK4YTM

 

[jonwienke]

If there is no red light on the puck, there is a hardware problem with the puck, or else it is not getting power. Jamming would result in a solid red light on the puck.

 

[EMTJD]

Could this have anything to do with it?


The Air Force Turned Off GPS To Rehearse a War Without It

Red Flag 2018 is a dry run for a war without satellite navigation.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a15949440/air-force-no-gps-red-flag/

Nice try, but highly unlikely. If this were the case, then the GPS navigation device in my car would not work, either, nor in anyone elses. Police departments, fire departments and ambulances, among other agencies that regularly rely on GPS would be in trouble. I would think we would hear about it if this were the case.

It makes sense, theoretically, that the government might try something like this, but I can’t see it happening and nobody outside knows about it.

 

[EMTJD]

If there is no red light on the puck, there is a hardware problem with the puck, or else it is not getting power. Jamming would result in a solid red light on the puck.

That makes sense. Think I’ll just go ahead and order the replacement.

 

[ShyFlyer]

Nice try, but highly unlikely. If this were the case, then the GPS navigation device in my car would not work, either, nor in anyone elses. Police departments, fire departments and ambulances, among other agencies that regularly rely on GPS would be in trouble. I would think we would hear about it if this were the case.

It makes sense, theoretically, that the government might try something like this, but I can’t see it happening and nobody outside knows about it.

USAF regularly degrades civilian access to the GPS constellation. For pilots, the notice will look like this:

(KZAB A0065/18) ZAB NAV GPS (NTTR GPS 18-01) (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 496NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 372822N1160436W (BTY026052) FL400-UNL, 447NM RADIUS AT FL250, 343NM RADIUS AT 10000FT, 338NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL, 248NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL. DLY 0530-0700 1802060530-1802070700

This particular notice is for an area near Beatty, Nevada, but pilots regularly see notices such as the above near White Sands Missile Range (others as well). Users of land-based GPS navigation units probably won't see much, if any, degradation unless you're using land surveying equipment.

Pilots, though, will as their navigation units will have much more complex integrity monitoring systems.

As already stated, it appears that the OPs hardware as failed.

 

[EMTJD]

As already stated, it appears that the OPs hardware as failed.

It does seem that is the case. Thanks to all for their suggestions.

 

[EMTJD]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AMAJFUO/

It's a drop-in replacement for the Uniden puck. It appears to be made by the same manufacturer as the Uniden unit, and has the same plug and wire colors internally. The only difference seems to be the sticker on top.

I took your advice and ordered this, and it arrived today. Hooked it up, and the LED was on, "GPS" in the display, and we're back in business! Hardest part was routing the cable around and hiding it under the rubber weather sealing and plastic molding to get it out of the way. "Puck" is in the left-hand corner of the windshield, and with the cable pushed into the car's moulding, the "puck" doesn't slide off the dash when making turns.

Again, thanks for the suggestion, it worked out great!

 

[jonwienke]

You're welcome.

 

[buddrousa]

Thanks for the update most never let anyone know the outcome as it can help others.

 

[EMTJD]

Thanks for the update most never let anyone know the outcome as it can help others.

That's partially why I posted that. The other reason was that both Uniden and HRO told me my only option was to buy a whole new GPS kit. So, the suggestion I was given by jonweinke saved me some money. I'm all for that!