Nuvi 765T Power Cradle Issues

I've not had a problem with my nuvis (750 and 855) and can't remember hearing of this issue from anyone else with any models.

I'm sorry to hear of your experiences. Let's see what others report.

My 765t cradle is still holding up, and I use it on my motorcycle...

I would check the cradle out with an ohmmeter for opens. If there is an "open", then the likely suspect is too much strain on the power cord connector. My cord is plugged in with a simple overhand loop around the suction mount. This puts any strain encountered on the cord, instead of on the connector (my 660 has fallen off the dash many times and it still has the original cradle and GTM20). If it's going to fail, it will fail at the connector, either on the cord side or the mount side.

If no "opens", then you need to clean the contacts with an eraser and then, using a Q-Tip, apply a liberal amount of "Silicone TV Tuner Cleaner and lubricant" to all the contacts. You can spray the cradle contacts, but - DO NOT SPRAY THE CONTACTS IN THE 765!!!!!! This stuff will "creep"! It will "wick" itself into all cracks and crannies in the GPS. Don't know what it would do if it got near the touch screen. It shouldn't hurt the internal electronics, but don't risk it.

The cleaner is available at Radio Shack (64-4315). It also works well for lubricating house door locks.

Have paper towels and hand soap handy, as this stuff has a petroleum like smell that will linger for quite a while on your hands and makes any food you eat have a metallic taste (from the smell on your hands). I also recommend that you do this outside, as any overspray might be hard to remove from some surfaces and there will be overspray.

I've used a 760 or a 765t since 2009 nearly daily. I bought the 760 first and used it until this year when I bought the 765t and the 760 moved to backup. The 760 was first in my bimmer and is now in my SUV. I have 3 cradles and none have ever given me an issue like you describe.

I have had issues with the 885t in my bimmer, however, that seem like what you are describing. Sometimes I get in and it doesn't work and I unplug the power cord, take the nuvi out of the cradle and put it back, and it will work. The battery at this point is very discharged but takes a charge OK. I replaced the battery once after a couple of these but I now doubt it was the battery.

Nuvis have different ways of shutting down. To be able to start up quickly it sometimes does not turn off completely. If you don't use it again quickly, the battery can be completely drained and it does not start up right away when the battery is fully depleted. I also have a traffic power cord on the 885t and it draws a little power from the battery when the car is off. Somewhere between the traffic antenna and the nuvi power off modes, I think there is an issue. The other thing that points me in this direction is that it seems to happen after I have not driven it for several days.

The 760 cradle is the same as the 765t, by the way, I use them interchangably. The 885t is a different cradle, however. My nuvis stay on the dash of my two vehicles connected to their power source. The power cord I normally use for the 765t is not a traffic cord, however.

Jim

I also have a 765T and no problem with it. I sure understand why you would be frustrated. I think the 765T is a really well featured unit so I hope you can get things resolved. Good luck!

No problem so far 765T, had it almost 2 years

I have my 765T on a switched power outlet, so it shuts off when the ignition switch is turned off. But I worry about the cord -- it is competing for space with two cellphone rechargers swapped in and out of a battery-connected outlet next to it and the shifter.

with my 765t. Been using for 1 1/2 years though I don't use it everyday.

with my 2 year old 765t cradles. Mine get installed and removed almost daily.

I've not had it happen on either of my 7x0/7x5 series but I've heard that the solder connection (on the right-hand side) where the power cable plugs into the cradle is prone to stress with the result being cracked solder joint(s).

I have had my 765t since the release and the battery shows losing one bar of charge within 30 seconds of removing it from the cradle. That is after a 30 minute drive. It has done this since new and Garmin says it is normal. Lately I just disconnect it from the cradle when not in use. Seems to work fine. Bad gauge? Bad cradle?

765t and love it, in fact that is the only one I use. I've never had a problem at all with anything related to the thing. Sorry you are going through this crap...there is nothing worse...why me? huh?

Thanks for all the input!

I was messing around with it trying differnt things to see if I could narrow down the problem. I discovered that when I would kind of push down or slightly wiggle the connector of the cord one way or another into the cradle, it would get power, and as soon as I let go, it looses connection and goes back to battery. When I hook up the power cord to a different cradle, there is no problem and the Nuvi receives power just fine. This is similar to what happened last time. If I bent the cord up at a certain angle and put pressure on the connector a certain way, the unit received power. So it seems that the problem lies with the connector on the cradle. This seems to fit with what DorkusNimrod mentioned:

"...but I've heard that the solder connection (on the right-hand side) where the power cable plugs into the cradle is prone to stress with the result being cracked solder joint(s)."

I have always left the cord connected to the cradle and keep it together as one unit when moving it around. Maybe I should start detaching the cord from the cradle when I take it off the window? Maybe by keeping it connected, something is getting bent, or the solder joint is indeed cracking when it gets transported from house to car? Does anyone else leave the cord connected to the cradle, or do you un-hook it?

Aside from this issue, it has been a wonderful GPS and I am very happy with it.

There's nothing wrong with my mount's functionality, but I am having trouble getting it to stick to my windshield. When I attach the GPS to the mount on the windshield, the mount only stays attached to the wind shield for about 30 minutes and then falls off. Are there any tips for this problem? I would hate to buy a new mount just because it isn't "sticky" enough any more.

Try spitting on it and smearing around.

had mine since the model was first introduced

I am on my 4th cradle.

This isn't meant as a personal attack redvino1963 so please don't take it as one.

I sounds to me like your problem is caused by you or the way you handle your mount and cord. You didn't say that you had tried a different GPS in your mount but I suspect that you would have the same problem.

While it is a very real possibility that your original mount was defective, the odds of getting 3 or 4 mounts that have the same defect are higher than your odds of winning your state's lottery. I believe you need to think about how you handle the mount. Do you drag it by the cord? Carry it by the cord? Disconnect the lighter plug by pulling on the cord? Is the connector under stress because of your mounting location or where you have to plug it in? These are just suggestions intended to get you thinking about how you use the GPS and mount.

My 750 is over three years old and while I have replaced the battery, I have not had any problems with the mount. My only problems have been caused by cockpit error when I didn't have the plug pushed all the way into the socket and ran the battery down.

I think it proves the connector is under stress from the way you route the power cord. If the cord is allowed to just hang, it will stress the connector and cause the failure you are seeing. Try relieving the stress by either tucking the cord under the mat or looping it around the gooseneck so the strain is not on the connector.

Still on my first since I got mine in March 2010. It is installed on a vent mount in my vehicle and I use it most of the time. I did by a spare cradle on eBay that I use with a beanbag mount when I travel in a different vehicle. I got tired of removing the cradle from the vent mount and having to readjust the position. Both cradles are still holding up though. Other than the spring contacts or the cable itself, I am not too sure exactly what else could fail.

I have had the cradle problem too. As has a friend of mine. They were replaced under warrantee. I now keep a spare with me as a bad cradle would ruin as many as 55 peoples day.

It is partially because of the case I put them in but I always diconnect the power cord from the cradle when I am taking the nuvi out of the car. I have semi-permanent mounts in both my vehicles and usually the nuvis just stay in the vehicle but when I am traveling I take one with a spare suction cup mount and then I put the mount and cords, separate from each other, in a little bag. When I get to the rental car it gets all hooked up and then when I get to go home it goes back in the bag.

My bimmer issue could also be because the power cord comes out of the dash on the left side of the cradle and the connection is on the right. So the cord has to do a 180 which could be putting stress on the connection. The cord is not tight but still there is a little stress. This thing is connected literally all the time and only occasionally - once every few months - do I have a problem. Disconnecting and reconnecting has solved it so far.

Depending on how you store things if you leave the power cord connected to the cradle there could be more than a little stress on the connection. I think it is generally a good practice just to disconnect (it wipes the surfaces which would remove any minor corrosion that could inhibit the connection) so I would do it. It might help.

Jim

If you have soldering skills, reflowing the solder on the connector to the PCB would be worth a try and would be what I would do first. The trick is actually getting the cradle mount open to do the reflow. I believe there is one screw holding the mount together along with clips on the outer edge. After removing the screw, I believe the procedure to split the two halves apart to to apply pressure to the "inside" of the ball socket rather than prying around the edges. If you do need to also pry around the edges, do so with a plastic iPod opening tool or something similar made of plastic. You may find an opening procedure in YouTube.

I've had my unit for a couple of years now and have had no issues with the power cradle.

I am giving my Nuvi 750 to my son and just before I am going to give it to him, another power cradle goes out. This will be the 4th. I am not hard on my unit. It stays in the same place but I am tired of replaceing this. I just got a new Nuvi and love the way the image flips when you turn it from horizontal to verticle

I am on my 4th or 5th cradle (I lost count), in 2.5 years. It's the only thing I don't like about the GPS. The 1st time, I thought it was the power cord. I bought a new one. It wasn't the power cord. I was sent a replacement cradle from Garmin. At first I left the power cord plugged in when I removed the unit from the car. I suspected the problem was caused by pressure put on the connector while it was attached. I then started disconnecting it every time I removed the unit. The cradle still failed after a while. I think my problem is that I remove the GPS up to 10 times a day and put it in a bag in my trunk, so it won't get stolen. I think it is all this extra handling that has caused it to fail.

A few months ago , I purchased a new Garmin 2350LMT, which also has a powered mount, but which is connected by a mini USB plug, instead of the flat plug that is used on the 765T and 755T. I suspect the mount failure problem will be corrected. Unfortunatly, I accidentally stepped on the GPS and destroyed the screen. So much for lifetime map updates!!! I'm back to using my 755T and have purchased a few spare mounts. I'm not too upset about stepping on the 2350, because I really like the 755T a whole lot better anyway!

Anyway, you are DEFINITELY not alone with this problem.

Could your problem be intermittent contacts between the mount and the GPS, Piebald? Try cleaning the contacts on both using a contact cleaner that is safe to use on plastics. Don't use rubbing alcohol, it contains an oil that will collect dirt and cause more problems.

I am having the same problems. It first happened to my 750, and then 2 weeks later, the 765T. Typically, I have the 765T sitting on a bean bag mount on the dash, and when I leave the car I just stick it on the floor. The cable - especially the traffic cable, is heavy, and I suspect the stress the cable puts on the mount hanging forward and down toward the console wore out the connector on the cradle itself.

My wife has the 750, and I suspect her habit of stuffing the unit into the console compartment whenever she's not using it finally did the connection in.

If you wiggle either cable at the connector end, the GPS goes to 12v power. I was hoping I could glean whether it was more likely to be the cable or the cradle (I suspected it was the cradle), and most of what I'm reading here seems to confirm it.

Every month I take an old but clean toothbrush a few drops of rubbing alcohol and gently brush the contacts.
This may help your problem?

I have a 765t and move it between two vehicles often. I keep a cradle and power cord in each vehicle and just move the 765t between them. I am very careful to line 765 up properly before pressing into mount and I have not any problems in 2 years. Look for bent pins or oxidixed pins.

I use my 765t almost daily since the release. No problems with the cradle. I am wondering about the charger though. Often says low on power. Maybe draining at night in the cradle or never charging fully? I don't know.

I have a 765t and remove it from the cradle often but never had a problem. Cleaning the contacts sounds like good idea.

I have a 765T and have yet to experience any power issues. I use a beanbag mount and there is plenty of slack on the cord.

Seems like the power cradle issues are more widespread than I thought. I came across this information posted on another forum about the same cradle issue others are having:

"The problem is in the 7xx power cradle, not the cord. Its SMD socket is held on the PCB by nothing more but its tiny contacts and in time likes to separate itself from the board taking the Cu foil tracks along with it. IMO Garmin's choice of the SMD socket for the application that sometimes has to sustain vigorous wiggling is inexcusable.

The 7xx cradles are easily repaired provided the repair person is properly equipped and knows what he's doing. They are also abundant on ebay and typically sell for less than 30 bux."

Or Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Nuvi-755t-Cradle-Holder/dp/B001... for about $22.

It seemed kind of delicate to me. I often find myself leaving the unit connected to the cradle instead of removing it all the time. Not sure if this helps it but thought it couldn't hurt. Was considering upgrading to the 3490LMT. I wonder how that compares?

i'm thinking it may be an issue of disconnecting the power cord from the cradle. the symptom of moving the cable around and getting connection would likely be an open/broken wire in the connector.
same thing happens after pulling power cords out of sockets using the wire instead of holding the plug.

I have had 2 765s and never had this issue as I seldom disconnect the plug.

My 760 cradle broke today, and I found this thread while searching for a replacement. I've owned my 760 for years, and this is the first cradle problem I've had.
I'll likely order the replacement from amazon/ebay, but I'll try to take apart the broken one first to see if I can learn anything more.

If the contacts are copper, you can take a pencil eraser and it should clean off any oxidation/rust.

This isn't a good idea. Pencil erasers contain a lot of oil and that oil will be deposited on the contacts. Oil will attract and trap dirt causing the problem you are trying to solve. Instead use a Q-tip and 99% isopropyl alcohol, available at most drug stores. Using rubbing alcohol is also a bad idea for the same reason. Almost any solvent that is safe to use on plastics and doesn't leave behind a residue will work.

I had to replace mine. when I still had problems, Garmin replaced the 765t. Luckily, it was still under warrnaty.

When MSN went dark in January, I started using the traffic power cord that came with my 765T (purchased in '09). Now less than 2 months later, I can no longer use the unit.

Starting yesterday, it started to power cycle. Says no connection, then low battery, then turning off, then fine, then low battery, then turning off, etc, etc. It is now sitting on my desk connected to an AC cigarette lighter adapter and it is beeping about every 4-5 seconds as it cycles as noted. As I type this it has started to power down due to low battery, then a few seconds later it reboots. Keep in mind that it is sitting on the desk... no touching, no movement.

I have replaced the mounting clip to no avail.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I am so disappointed with Garmin, having been a long time customer (since the StreetPilot III and 3-4 other units in between) and when I "upgraded" to the 765T I was really disappointed by the significantly lower map resolution (virtually none until zoomed in to a tiny scale) and the lack of display of any cities on the route. I can drive from Ohio to Arizona and not see a single city - regardless of detail level selected. Oklahoma City shows up as the intersection of several unlabeled roads. On my Nuvi 680 I was able to zoom out and see how far the next town was to see if I could go that far to get gas. Now I need to program it to find cities on my route to see how far anything is. A real downgrade. Garmin support simply says that it is not a map. Just meant to give driving directions... well, when you need to avoid a situation and you have no idea what any street names are around you until you zoom down to a couple block scale, it becomes a really useless device.

So now with the power cycling issue, I am ready to trash the unit and go with another brand. The only thing keeping me is that I paid for lifetime maps... what a waste.

Any suggestions?

Additional info: I just tried the MSN cable with both mounting clips.,, no difference. So the issue seems to be isolated to the Garmin unit. The bottom connector is clean. It seems to charge with the PC/USB cable... I have it connected now. We'll see.

Any suggestions for another unit? Do any of the competitive brands have better resolution - like the old 680 did? I never should have upgraded to get the new features... didn't realize at the time that Garmin works a zero sum game. Add a bells and whistle feature, remove one or two must have useful features... not a very smart way to keep customers.

Does the unit behave this way when connected/powered by the car's 12v? The reason I ask is because I had the *exact same behavior* when powered indoors by an AC to 12v adapter. The adapter was one purchased at a Big Lots store for about $3 or so. I purchased two and they both caused the unit to behave the same way.

The issue with these cheap adapters is that they are mostly meant for low current (500mAh max) cell phones & iPods & cannot supply enough current to properly power the 765 with the GTM 20 power adapter. The adapter did however power the 765 using the standard Garmin 12v car adapter (not the GTM or GDB/MSN).

The 765 with GTM or GDB traffic receivers require at least 1 amp of current to operate correctly. I purchased a 2 amp AC to DC (multi-voltage) benchtop power supplies for benchtop testing at Fry's for about $40 or so. Never had a problem since using the proper power supply.

Thanks for the reply... yesterday in the car it started doing this. At first I thought it was a bad plug or mounting clip. So I brought it in the house and it did the same thing. I tried my spare mount with no difference. I then tried the old MSN cable and there was no change (so I concluded that it was the unit, not the cables or the mount).

I did a reinstall of the latest software update from Garmin, and as I mentioned, it worked for several minutes. It appears to work as long as the battery is charged. I left in connected to the PC using the USB programming cable until the battery was fully charged, so I'll need to let it run down and try it in the car again. Your idea sounds reasonable, as the adapter that I have came some online retailer and was a few bucks. I think it is rated at 500ma.

The strange thing to me (from last year) was that sometimes when I used the MSN cable in our Prius (usually when I was heading into traffic here in Phoenix and needed the traffic info), the 765 was totally happy with power, but failed to recognize that the MSN cable was connected. That's why I purchased a new mount. I never had an issue with my BMW Z3 using the same cable and mount... that one baffles me. The unit did not complain about a lack of FM signal, but the diagnostic screen indicated that it was not plugged in - even though it was getting power from the same cable.

I'll report back...

with my 765T. Had the unit 2 1/2 years and use if almost daily. I never leave it in the cradle when I leave the vehicle, so it's constantly being put in and taken out.

hjrw, it sounds to me like your battery has failed. Did you check to see if your 765T serial number is on the battery recall list from Garmin (a year or more ago https://my.garmin.com/rma/recallLanding.faces)? In any case, I suspect if you replace the battery, your nuvi will charge up and work correctly again.

I use my 765T daily during the week and on the weekend I move it to my personal car. I have 2 power cradles (one stays in each vehicle) I have good luck with this setup and I really like the 765T.

Thanks for the suggestion, alandb. Not on the list. The unit acts like it is not connected to power... when the battery is charged, it works OK. When the battery goes low, it complains that it is not connected. Then it acts like it is and keeps cycling and often powering off and on.

Started doing this on Friday.

Here's the latest update.

I tried both cables and both cradles in the car on several trips today. Both exhibit the same symptoms. Sometimes it works, sometimes it says low battery, sometimes it says powering off, sometimes (depending on the cable) it says that the device needs external power (or a similar message). It often powers down.

Sometimes, removing it from the cradle and reinserting it powers it up, other times nothing happens. I am baffled.

Since both cables and both cradles act pretty much the same, I assume that it is the 765T. The contacts at the base of the 765 appear to be clean. This behavior started with the unit cycling to various power related messages every 4-5 seconds on Friday. I reinstalled the latest firmware. Worked for several minutes. The problem does not seem to be present with a fully charged battery. However, it will randomly lose power. I have not reproduced the cycling symptoms today. But the unit is pretty unreliable, since it is constantly powering off or threatening to do so... and beeping every time it changes state.

I am open to any suggestions. I really don't want to buy a new unit. I am now also traveling with my Android phone (Motorola Droid Bionic) with car mount to see if I can get used to it and if it will stay powered up or if it overheats or drains the battery even when connected to the Motorola-supplied power connector (and cigarette lighter - USB adapter).

I have been able to load a rather large POI file by using ExtraPOIeditor to save my CSV or GPX file as a KML for Google, then import the KML file into Google Maps and save it to My Maps. "Normal" POIs like stores are easier to locate on the fly by speaking the destination... like "Navigate to nearest Home Depot." I have not yet found a convenient way to give a voice command to navigate to a contact address. The phone is not as convenient to use as the 765, but I really don't want to buy another GPS when the 765 is only 2-1/2 years old.

Any thoughts on what might be wrong?

Several have suggested you check if the unit is on the recall list. You never reported checking that list. Several have also stated it is more than likely a battery failure and to replace the battery. You haven't stated if you are considering this.

The battery is inexpensive, you can get one with the necessary tools even. There are instructional videos on the web showing it really is a simple task to accomplish.

One other thing you haven't stated and that is what the display shows when connected to the car charger. Does the battery icon show the lightning bolt meaning it has external power? You may hav blown fuses in your car chargers.