On Mon, 19 Feb 2007 06:57:04 -0800, RNR wrote
(in article ):

I have owned a 196 for about four years, without any serious concerns.
Last week, I encountered a problem that is serious. While the unit
works fine on aircraft power, it will not function on battery power.
It will turn on but it will shut itself off within 30 seconds. This
happens every time. Has anyone experienced this? Do I have any
chance of rectifying this without sending it back to Garmin? Thanks.
RNR

I would also say bad battery contacts, or one or more of the batteries is
backwards. You can clean the contacts with a pencil eraser.

--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor