Garmin Nuvi 2445 GPS Repair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently visited my in-laws over the December holidays. While there, we went on a road trip to a nearby forest. My mother-in-law tried to use her Garmin GPS to help us get there, but it wouldn’t switch on. It wouldn’t charge in the car using the cigarette lighter socket. It is a Garmin Nuvi 2445 model:

I had a look at it later that afternoon when we got home, and noticed that the rear mini usb charging socket felt a bit loose.

I wanted to fix it there and then, but realized I didn’t have any tools with me. It would have to wait till I get back home in January, a 1000km’s away.

When I got home I opened it up by removing the 4 torx screws underneath. The back panel then clips off.

Once opened the flat ribbon cable that goes to the LCD needs to be removed. This is done by flipping the brown plastic tab clamp on top of the socket, towards its solder pins, and then gently pulling the cable out.

Then simply remove the 3 metal Phillips screws holding the pcb in place, remove the battery cable and speaker cable.

I could see that the 5 pins on the usb socket were broken off from the solder pads. Luckily no solder pads were damaged.

I then removed the socket completely just to be sure. I cleaned the pads with some solder wick and some alcohol.

I then re-soldered the socket and pins carefully using my trusty microscope and some liquid flux. This can be done without a microscope, but it makes life a bit easier.

Once replaced, I again clean with alcohol.

Before reassembling I cleaned the flat ribbon contacts with an eraser until they were nice and shiny again.

Here the unit is reassembled and can be seen charging again.

Who knows were the road will take us!!

All the best for 2016 folks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article was prepared for you by Riaan Diedericks. He runs his own electronics repair shop in Pretoria, South Africa. He specializes in Pro Audio repairs.

Please give a support by clicking  on the social buttons below. Your feedback on the post is welcome. Please leave it in the comments.

P.S-  If you enjoyed reading this, click here to subscribe to my blog (free subscription). That way, you’ll never miss a post. You can also forward this website link to your friends and colleagues-thanks!

 

You can also check his previous repair article below:

https://www.jestineyong.com/audio-interface-repaired/

 

13 Comments

1. 

   skwong

   January 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm

   Well done, GPS are high tech device. You have a nice and well equipped workshop.

   Likes(2)Dislikes(0)

   Reply
2. 

   Parasuraman S

   January 11, 2016 at 4:38 pm

   Amazed to see how you handle a defective tiny device like this! Further, seeing your telescope! Very rare, indeed! Thanks for sharing and all the best!

   Likes(2)Dislikes(0)

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3. 

   Albert van Bemmelen

   January 11, 2016 at 5:50 pm

   Thank you Riaan for this nice article. I agree with other comments. Such a Stereo-Microscope sure will come handy while doing these small smd electronic repairs!

   Likes(3)Dislikes(0)

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4. 

   Yogesh Panchal

   January 11, 2016 at 7:40 pm

   Riaan,
   Good job!! keep up sharing your experience.

   Likes(1)Dislikes(0)

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5. 

   Dennis Breda

   January 11, 2016 at 9:44 pm

   Wel done and well written explaination.

   Likes(1)Dislikes(0)

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6. 

   Merlin Marquardt

   January 11, 2016 at 10:03 pm

   Good repair!

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7. 

   Robert Calk

   January 11, 2016 at 10:59 pm

   Nice job, Riaan. I'll be glad when I can get a microscope like yours.

   Likes(1)Dislikes(0)

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8. 

   Albert Hoekman, Holland

   January 14, 2016 at 12:41 am

   Wel done Riaan. Thanks for sharing this article. I do repair navigation devices from different brands and they mostly have the same problems: bad solder joints, bad switches, or totally discharged batteries.
   As others also wrote, you have a nice microscope equipment. I do it still with magnifying glases over my head...

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9. 

   Suranga Electronics

   January 14, 2016 at 3:34 pm

   Hi Mr- good Job.

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10. 

    Tyrone

    January 15, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    Well done Riaan

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11. 

    Humberto

    March 18, 2016 at 12:20 am

    Hi Riaan, good repair. By the way, what kind of tool did you use to de-solder and re-solder?

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    • 

      Riaan

      May 1, 2018 at 5:00 pm

      Hi. Just some solder, solder braid and lOts of paste flux. Also knOwn as tacky flux. Works better than liquid flux IMHO.

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      Reply
12. 

    Ulises Aguilar Pazzani

    November 20, 2016 at 6:51 am

    very nice work Mr Riaan Diedericks

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

    Reply

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