Discussion: Garmin Forerunner 305 won't charge

Hello,

I'm here to ask your help since my Garmin Forerunner 305 doesn't recognize neither charger or usb cable, therefore it won't charge or tranfer data to the computer.
Is this a connection problem between cable and battery of garmin and I need to buy another one or fix the garmin or can I fix this?

P.S.: I already tried soft and hard reset. No results.

P.S.2: For now my garmin still turns on but just untill the battery runs out.

Thanks in advance

How do the four gold contacts on the watch and cradle look? If they're dirty you can wipe them (dry or with window cleaner on a paper towel), or you can use an eraser gently.

Have you tried multiple USB ports? Can you borrow a cradle and cable from someone, or try charging another 305 on your cradle?

I have had this problem a number of times, and it seems to be the contacts.

I'll try borrowing an usb cable from a friend.

Hope this isn't a main problem from the watch.

TheInvisibleLog, what did you do?

I already wiped the gold contacs on the watch and cradle even though they looked clean... No results again...

Have you tried charging with the wall charger (that is, without using the computer)?

Of course, it won't charge. The watch doesn't recognize de cable.

This comment thread might help. (And I'm certainly no expert on this topic.)

It doesn't help.
I already tried with other usb, it doesn't charge nor connects to computer.

Now it is a problem with the doc station or with the watch itself...

BUMP

You might have to wait until late tonight or even Monday---People are out doing things on weekends.

Try presssing down firmly on the face of the watch while it's in the cradle and see if it
a) brings up the 'battery charging' screen, and
b) will transfer data *while pressing down*.

I've got the same problem with mine, and it gradually gets worse.

As cedarcreek said, threads on AP don't always move fast on weekends due to timezones, adventure races and lack ofsleepohgodI'msotired...zzz

I cleaned the contacts on both the cradle and the watch. Sometimes it didn't work. But I discovered that the watch can get so low in charge that it can take 12 hours sitting on the cradle before the unit starts to respond again.
And, of course, it gradually gets worse through the life of the watch. Given all the problems I have had with my partners more recent model, I have not keen to upgrade. But I am now unable to download from the 305, though I can still recharge. I feel an upgrade coming on.

Have you tried the pressing down thing above, Log? Mine would often charge unassisted, so you assume it's connected, but the USB power and data contacts are separate...

Here's an old thread about this. Apparently the two halves are separating (look at the side joint, especially at the bend in the middle), and there are spring contacts that aren't long enough to bridge the longer-than-normal gap.

That old thread has two links to Garmin disassemblies, but it doesn't have this link. I'm not sure that website is working---something about Framework 4.0 (sheesh).

A guy I work with is actually going through this right now---I thought he was just having trouble with the thing popping apart, not the failure to charge and download. He's tried 3 different glues---he said the one in the jimandkatrin website didn't work. Maybe we should email them and ask about preparing the two sides prior to applying the glue...

{Edit: The guy I work with also just bought a click-in bracket that lets you quickly click it on a bike or click it into a wrist band for running. It popped apart soon after he bought that new bracket---it might be stressing that glue joint. Also, I confirmed that he never had any trouble with downloading or charging, it just popped apart.}

Just a thought---If the glue joint is failing, it's probably a good idea to keep these garmins from getting hot---keeping them in the car is probably a bad idea.

And another thing.



Doesn't that look like sweat corroded the piezo element, causing the element to swell from the oxide formation, breaking the glue joint, and allowing water leakage?

Yep, that's the problem with mine sure enough.

I've actually got mine held together with a cable tie at the moment - if you tighten it enough you don't get the random-turning-off problem, and with the tie across the middle of the screen you can still read all the data fields. Charging and data transfer is still possible by resting it on the cradle and lean a book on it to make the contacts connect properly.

(Grey import, so I can't warranty/send it to Garmin Aust for repair)

MIne did the same. Took it apart dried and cleaned it, then stuck it back together with super glue. Worked OK for the last 8 months.

Pressing worked for a while. Given the price of these things, I'm half inclined just to buy a replacement.
@phatmax... that superglue idea will work until you have to work on it again. Maybe luthiers' hide glue instead ... ;-)

If it dies again, and I can't open it then I will resort to a new one