Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Edge 500 Problems

On my way back home, my Edge would not count distance. Lifting the rear wheel and pedaling forward, it outputs both speed and cadence, so it's something else. While riding, both cadence and speed show, but distance wouldn't accrue. I've turned it on/off, started/stopped, the lap button, and reset it several times. Eventually I went into History/Activities and had it read the data. After that, it started counting distance after pressing start. I've had this problem before a few times, but I never had to spend 15 minutes fiddling with it get it back to working. Capacity wise the data used is only 1/4 full, so what's going on?

Also my top right start/stop button is squishy. It's starting to crack. Naturally, it uses polydrive or line screws or whatever they are which I don't have the tool for.

I don't have a 500 but I do have an 800 and had a very similar situation two weeks ago. It would do as you describe and, in addition, would just randomly go into "Auto Pause". Drove me bat ***** until I finally thought to change the battery in my cadence sensor. If you use one, you may want to check the battery. Hope this helps.

Were you able to change the battery without having to dismount it from the chain stay? I figured that would be the easy way. Luckily, I have a spare CR2032.

Were you able to change the battery without having to dismount it from the chain stay?

Yes - I did it and was no problem. I'm also thinking your problem may have to do with the squishy start/stop button because what you describe above - displaying speed and cadence but not accumulating distance - is exactly what mine does after I press the stop button.

Yes - I did it and was no problem. I'm also thinking your problem may have to do with the squishy start/stop button because what you describe above - displaying speed and cadence but not accumulating distance - is exactly what mine does after I press the stop button.

Does yours not accumulate distance with a fresh battery? Now that you mention it, I think a lot of the times it occurs after stopping/starting again. I don't think it's the button causing it, because it never stops/starts on its own.

Does yours not accumulate distance with a fresh battery?

Yep. With a fresh battery, and the timer "stopped", my 500 will display current speed and cadence but won't accumulate distance.

Rimmer, yes, I was able to replace the battery while the unit was mounted. Like I said, this may not be what's causing your problem but, since you have a spare battery anyway, it wouldn't hurt to try changing out. The simplest fix is sometimes just the one that's needed. If not, at least you'll know. Hope it works out.

I haven't changed the battery yet, and it happened twice today. I'm going to change it now, so I'll see if it works tomorrow and the rest of the week.

One other thing to be aware of: I have the Garmin Speed/ Cadence sensor. There's a little white button (actually it's a light) on the outside of the unit. When I replaced my battery, I had to press the button so that my GPS unit would pick it up. You probably did this when you first set up your gear. I guess it has to be done every time there's a battery change. Just in case you may not have thought of it.

You might want to post this on the Garmin forum

https://forums.garmin.com//index.php

There was a recent software / firmware update, although I don't know that it addressed the issue you are having?

I replaced the battery, pressed the sensor button to check the red and green LEDs... all good. I left home to commute, and it would not accumulate distance until about the first 3/4 mile and 2-3min or so into the ride. I rode to the boat and stopped my Edge. When I rode again and pressed start, it would not accumulate distance until I went into History/Activities which takes several minutes to read.


You might want to post this on the Garmin forum

https://forums.garmin.com//index.php

I tried a hard reset. I don't know if that'll work since I'm not at home or by my bike at the moment. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to try to clear the settings, reinstall firmware, etc.


There was a recent software / firmware update, although I don't know that it addressed the issue you are having?

2.8 is the latest as far as I know since May 2011 which I have used and updated ever since I've owned it.

Wow, that's puzzling. Sorry I couldn't help more.

When you start/stop the timer, do you get the confirmation message on the screen?

The buttons on the Edge 500 are a week part of the design; many fail. WHen they do, they give you the mechanical feedback (the detent) but they don't switch properly. So look for the confirmation message when you turn on the timer; you may have a failed button.

Hope this helps. The garmin support forum is pretty good; post a description there and you'll probably get a good response.

When you start/stop the timer, do you get the confirmation message on the screen?

Yes, I do. It also beeps. The time also commences, so it's obvious.

Doing the Activities/Histories to read the data makes it work every time though, but it's time consuming. I haven't cleared the settings, reinstalled the firmware, or anything yet.

Well, heck.

I had to send my Edge 500 in for warranty work; one of the buttons gave out. I really like the 500 design, but the reliability is the pits.

-Tom in SoCal

Well, heck.

I had to send my Edge 500 in for warranty work; one of the buttons gave out. I really like the 500 design, but the reliability is the pits.

-Tom in SoCal

I've owned it less than a year. I suppose I should contact them.