76csx does not aquire any satellites

[Erndog]

I have had a 76CSx for many years and have been extremely pleased with it. However, after not using it for a few years, I can no longer acquire a single satellite. I live in a wide open rural area, have installed fresh batteries, updated the software, done the "new location" thing, factory reset, and left it outside scanning for many hours including overnight, many many times.
All to no avail.

Any advice, other than trash it?

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

I think the most probable explanation as to what has changed to your 76CSx is that the internal oscillator has drifted away from it's optimum frequency , this can be due to the value of components changing with time, this frequency also changes with temperature, so the only suggestion I could make is to try to get a satellite 'fix' at either colder or hotter than usual, colder is probably easier to try, by placing the 76CSx in your fridge for a few hours before placing it out doors on a cold night, hotter is more problematic unless you can find some way of keeping the unit warm while out doors (maybe a hot sunny day ?)

If you do manage to get a satellite fix I would recommend always keeping a good set of batteries in the unit (while powered off) as the unit retains some info. that can help get a fix quicker next time

 

[Erndog]

Thanks.
I give that a try.

 

[Erndog]

I refrigerated it for 12 hours and left it searching outside overnight. I retrieved it around 5 pm. Still searching, and still NO satellites.

 

[Erndog]

I don't know if it is confusing it, but the timestamp is reading Apr 30, 2016. Supposedly, it gets that info from the satellites (that it can't find). Factory reset made no difference.
Advice??

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

The time / date on GPS is set by the info. received from the satellites and is usually not manually settable, is it possible that April 2016 was the last time the unit got a good satellite 'fix' ?, this is another reason why you should store the unit with a good set of batteries because the unit will keep it's clock running even when turned off, so even after 8 years the time / date will be roughly correct

 

[Erndog]

I think I may have removed the batteries for several years so they wouldn't corrode and ruin the unit. Who knew??