Hello all,

Thought I'd tap into the wealth of knowledge out here and see if anyone else has had difficulties with their older model Garmin dashmount GNC 250 XL Nav/Comm. The trouble I'm having is the unit will fire up, accept the data inputs and display the navigation information, then for no reason, shuts down then instantly fires back up and goes through the self test process. This becomes a real PITA when setting up for any cross country flying.
So is this an isolated issue or are there others out there that are or have had this kind of trouble. I know the easy fix is to replace it with a newer model with all the bells and whistles, however I'd like to hold off and spend the money on fuel instead. Any feed back would be much appreciated. Thanks....

canuck180 wrote:Hello all,

Thought I'd tap into the wealth of knowledge out here and see if anyone else has had difficulties with their older model Garmin dashmount GNC 250 XL Nav/Comm. The trouble I'm having is the unit will fire up, accept the data inputs and display the navigation information, then for no reason, shuts down then instantly fires back up and goes through the self test process. This becomes a real PITA when setting up for any cross country flying.
So is this an isolated issue or are there others out there that are or have had this kind of trouble. I know the easy fix is to replace it with a newer model with all the bells and whistles, however I'd like to hold off and spend the money on fuel instead. Any feed back would be much appreciated. Thanks....

Is the internal battery dead? Has it ever been replaced?

First thing I'd do is call Garmin Tech Support.

I've put a couple thousand hours on those radios with nary a problem. Call Garmin....they made it. Great radio....I wouldn't "upgrade unless it's toast.

MTV

I have a 250XL. Mine works fine except in the moving map mode where the processor must render complex airspace boundaries such as MOAs or restricted airspace. Then the processor seems to fall behind and usually within a few minutes will reboot as you described. Outside of the combination of moving map and special use airspace it works very reliably. I wonder if the 205XL has the same processor as the older 250 (which does not support a moving map)? I tried to ask about this a couple of year ago at OSH, but the Garmin tech guys were overwhelmed with questions from other booth visitors. Let me know if you discover anything.

Thanks for the responses MTV and s51driver. I doubt if the internal battery has been changed. I just updated the database online this past winter as it still had the original 1997 database. I just bought the airplane last summer and I don't think the PO worried about gps data updates or internal battery? I removed the unit from the airplane yesterday and opened it up to see if I could see where the internal battery was located....didn't see anything obvious, so I buttoned it back up. i think the next step is to bring it to an avionics shop and see if they can replace the battery for me? I'll keep you posted. Thanks for you input gents!....

I have a 300xl which did same thing had to send it back to Garmin it needed a firmware update because it could not read the new nav data updates which makes it try to reboot. When I got it back it works great


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sluginbuel wrote:I have a 300xl which did same thing had to send it back to Garmin it needed a firmware update because it could not read the new nav data updates which makes it try to reboot. When I got it back it works great


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That makes a whole lot of sense to me now. As I mentioned earlier, I updated the database this past winter and prior to the update, the unit worked just fine last summer. The plane is on floats and I don't switch to wheels during the winter months so I didn't use the gps till this spring. I'll give Garmin a call and see if maybe a firmware update will cure my problem. Thanks...

Yes, thanks to those that responded. I've been helped by this thread too.

Been a long time since I had one, but I think there is a reset on them?? Can not remember which buttons to hold down when you restart?? Maybe someone here has done that.

Just a bit of a follow up, for those who are interested. I spoke with a local avionics shop that deals with Garmin and explained my dilemma. It is indeed a firmware update that's required for the unit. This can only be done by Garmin and must be sent in for the update. Apparently the turnaround time is only about a week to ten days. I didn't get a price quote, but I'm expecting the standard $400 charge that I've read in other member's posts. I'll post an update on cost and how the unit performs once it's been returned back to service. Thanks for all your comments...

It's been years since I've updated my VFR only 250-XL.

It works well so I'll leave well enough alone.

Updates for me are why I have Foreflight...

I was doing some research on what to do with my 250XL as it seems to have the same problem.
It will boot up and run fine for a while then sometimes it just shuts down and reboots for no reason. I thought it might be a heat issue but now think it may very well be a software issue.
I am guessing the cost of a unit s/w update is around $400 and the database is maybe $100 for a onetime update.
As I am a Ipad mini/Foreflight/FlyQ user I question weather it worth putting $500 or more into upgrading this. My plane has a Garmin SL40 comm radio so the 250 now serves basically as a backup comm radio.

Tom

It could be firmware. I don't think there's a fee from Garmin, just the cost of the avionics tech with the right cable to connect it to a laptop. It would alleviate the aggravation of the random reboot. Updating the database could be optional.

My G150 was just put back in service with a firmware upgrade. Tech set it to simulation mode, and it flew across the continent all night to prove the repair worked. I was cautioned that they'll sometimes lock up while updating firmware, and they become non-repairable.

Thanks for the updates. I will talk to my avionics shop and see if they can update it for me.

T

I realize this thread is all but dead but I just started having the same issue with my GNC 250XL and would like to know if the firmware update fixed the issue and if so what Garmin ended up charging for the update. Really don't want to replace the unit either as it's my primary radio and back up to my Ipad GPS inflight.
Thanks

I had the same problem a short while back. Have a 250XL and it would reboot occasionally. Removed and reracked it now it seems OK.
I don't think its worthwhile updating the Database if indeed its possible. The firmware update might be needed.
I am seriously considering the newly approved Trio pro autopilot for my C-185. It sorta requires gps input for proper operation and was hoping to use the 250.

Tom