Troubleshooting 430

[pcorman]

My 430 won't "acquire" satellites during the last flight.
I watched the menu and the "bar chart" of satellites is there, but they are "empty" which I assume means trying to acquire. Over time, the bar chart elements go to zero, and then grow back, but never locking on.
Anyone with the experience? And any ideas on stuff I can do to troubleshoot before sending lots of money to Garmin?
Phil

 

[thomascannon]

Glasairs had a problem with interference from the Com radio that caused 430's to be unable to acquire satellites. Not sure if that's useful at all, but maybe it's a clue.

Or, perhaps it's snowing in space?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADAKWSI57vA

 

[TMetzinger]

There was a sunstorm in the news recently.. don't know if it was a prediction or not.

 

[rpadula]

How about something a little more down to earth? Like the antenna or antenna cable connection going bad.

 

[TMetzinger]

Yep... but we haven't heard if the problem still exists...

 

[pcorman]

Problem persists!
No new avionics.
430 worked on outbound leg over California Central Valley (PRB-O22).
Totally unable to acquire sats on return leg.

 

[TMetzinger]

Then I'd start at the antenna and work backwards towards the unit.