G1000 Data Base Error

[JDR]

I am just getting up to speed on my DA-40, so I have a lot to learn.

I need some help from the forum. I went to fly this weekend, and after power up the Garmin, I had a alert in the Alert Box that indicated "MFD1 DB ERR - MFD1 Terrain data base missing" with a corresponding lack of a terrain map on the MFD.

I bought the plane (2009 CS model) last Feb and have put about 50 hours on it without a glitch. And this issue popped up out of the blue.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jack

[Rick]

My first guess would be that you have a problem with the SD card in the lower slot of the MFD. That is where the "terrain.tdb" file lives (or, if you have SVT, it's called "terrain_9as.tdb"). I would first remove, then reinsert this card and see if that corrects the problem - maybe it's just not seated quite right.

If the SD card has gone bad, then you will need some help making a backup from the lower PFD card. I think there is a thread somewhere on this forum with those details.

Good luck!

[JDR]

Thanks. I will give that a shot this weekend.

[Charbie]

I received this error as well, out of the blue. So, Pulled lower cards out and reinstalled. No change. Wondering if anyone has experience and suggestions to correct this gremlin.

[CFIDave]

Make sure you have the correct Terrain database installed -- there are multiple file types that can be downloaded from the fly.garmin.com website, based on whether you have SVT installed or not.

With SVT DA40s, you need to have the 9 arc-second terrain database version, loaded on both the PFD and MFD bottom cards. Without SVT, you need the low-resolution 30 arc-second terrain database version.

See http://static.garmin.com/pumac/190-01464-00_C.pdf

(And if you have a DA62 or DA42NG/-VI with legacy G1000, you need the even higher-resolution 4.9 arc-second terrain database in a different format if you are running GDU Version 15.x display software. All G1000 NXi aircraft also use the 4.9 arc-second terrain database.)

[Charbie]

thanks Dave. Will check. I'm also getting the magnetic-field model needs update. The plane is in for annual and I'm hoping the shop knows what this is. Any idea from your end would be appreciated.

[CFIDave]

Every 5 years the G1000 magnetic-field model has to be updated to reflect movement of location of the earth's magnetic north. There's a Diamond service bulletin that explains how to do this but any Garmin dealer will be familiar with the procedure, since it applies to all G1000s.

[OriensFlight]

Is there a way to tell in the UI the last time the G1000 magnetic-field model was updated? I poked around my G1000 Aux screens but couldn't find anything. Next step, my favorite, bedtime logbook reading.