RTL515 shuts off after only a few seconds of weird flashing

Hi fellow riders. My much loved RTL515 seems to have stopped working. When i attempt to turn the RTL on, the status light flashes purple for 3-4 seconds (and the main riding light comes on briefly) and sometimes the green for a couple of seconds and then the whole thing shuts down abruptly. I've been through the posts on this site and tried to connect to Garmin Edge on the laptop but the RTL shuts down so quickly that the computer doesn't even register it. Love the unit and really appreciate any tips on what to do to fix it. Its not under warranty. Thanks in advance.

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0 pwhiffin 9 months ago

I seem to have the same issue with mine now (14 months old). I can connect via the computer and sync though.

0 cycleanalyze 5 months ago

Have you ever cleaned out the power button? Does it feel kind of mushy?

If you haven't cleaned it up, and it feels mushy, start by cleaning the power button.

This was recommended to me by Garmin when mine was shutting down during rides and it fixed it.

Get a glass fill it about a cm high with warm water little bit of dish detergent. Let it soak. Then with a toothbrush really get in there and scrub around. Soak and repeat. Press power button millions of times during this cleaning.

You need to get the power button back to original state where it has a solid feel and rebounds immediately.

Hope this helps, it has for me and every other varia guy I ride with

0 meljfry 5 months ago in reply to cycleanalyze

Are you saying to actually put the unit into the water or just use the toothbrush to clean it?

Thank you!

0 cycleanalyze 5 months ago in reply to meljfry

Just enough of the unit in the water to soak the button area which is waterproof. This method is straight from Garmin. Let the very mild soap water soften up the dirt and road junk paste in there soften then use the brush to agitate and get into the area surrounding the button. Then use the button itself to help move the junk out. Make the button activation feel like new. You’ll know it when you feel it.

Then give it a road test

0 meljfry 5 months ago in reply to cycleanalyze

Thank you! I tried it and I think it might be fixed.

0 davey 5 months ago

Brilliant. I had exactly this issue with my 18 month old Varia 515. This solved it. Back in business. Thank you.

0 cycleanalyze 5 months ago in reply to davey

love it, you guys. spread the word to your radar pals

0 meljfry 4 months ago in reply to cycleanalyze

Well, it worked for 2 rides and now it's doing the same thing. Guess I'm calling Garmin on Monday...

0 Artur 4 months ago in reply to meljfry

Do you by any chance have the counter (Edge) turned on?
Since the last few software versions on my E1040S, the Varia (or rather Edge) does not remember the settings and whenever the Edge pairs with the Varia the light is turned off, only the radar works.
I then have to select a mode from the widget (or sensor options) and change the light - I prefer flashing.

It may be that having the meter on and when starting the Varia, the blue light flickers, pairs the devices and .... light is turned off.

greetings
Artur

0 meljfry 4 months ago in reply to Artur

I've tried it with both the Edge turned on and off. It has a purplish light that flashes and then it shuts off. I was able to get it to go through some of the light sequence, but it will not stay on.