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Fenix 5, corrosion on charge port pins

Former Member over 6 years ago

Hi, I have a Fenix 5 (slate grey) from September 2018, so just around six months old.

It has become a bit fiddly with regards to getting a good connection on the port. Took a peek and it seemed like there was some dirt on the connector. Wiped it down, still there. So grabbed a macro camera and took a closer look.

Seems like my connector is quite corroded! Have any of you had the same issue? ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1465898.jpg ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1465899.jpg

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0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Contacted support who told me to clean up the contacts.

Wiped them down with isopropyl alcohol, then cleaned them with soap, water and a soft sponge.

Got most of the 'gunk' off, which most likely was oxide - revealing pitting erosion beneath.

ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1466531.jpg

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Finally took it to the stereo microscope, just to be completely sure. There's no real doubt there.
ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1466550.jpg

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Garmin agreed to replacing the unit, which I'm quite happy with. Fingers crossed that the newer version is with a different alloy for surface treatment.

The area affected by the corrosion is quite small and the pits are hard to spot with the naked eye. But I would recommend others to take a closer look. This would probably work for a while, but on a 6 month old unit, definitely not acceptable.

0 tsofron over 6 years ago

hey, just to be on the safe side, you could also buy for the new one a cheap cap (protector) from aliexpress, i have mine on the 935 since almost 2 years and the pins / port looks like new.

0 TERP1234 over 6 years ago

I just a cap like that as well on my F5, but I think it even caused more corrosion on the contacts as it keeps the moist underneath the cap for longer time. When I removed the cap once it was completely rusty. Since then I keep it off and wipe the contacts dry after every shower.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Have the same problem with second connector from the top. It even has small damages after only 4 months.
I have been using cap but i think it only made it worse.

0 Michalis over 6 years ago

Same problem here on Fenix 5. I noticed since even with a bit of dirt the watch wasn't charging properly. I just wipe the "dirt" off every 2-3 days and its ok.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

have similar issue, second connector from the top has corrosion damage, not much, but already noticeable.. three other connectors look like new. had this watch for around 4 months, bit disappointing. thinking what should I do, try to return and replace ?

0 Ocean5 over 6 years ago

have similar issue, second connector from the top has corrosion damage, not much, but already noticeable.. three other connectors look like new. had this watch for around 4 months, bit disappointing. thinking what should I do, try to return and replace ?

Contact Garmin, highly likely they will replace the unit.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Yes - same exact pin with corrosion. I just thought it was gunk, but it doesn’t come off that easily. Weird how it’s the same pin for a few people. Still charges OK, but I think I’ll get it replaced.