!490t -traffic firnware update

Do you have your (antenna/12 volt power cable) unblocked on your windshield and are you in a area that has FM traffic signals. I only get a signal when I go into larger cities. Maybe a 30 or 40 mile range on the unit.

I was on route 80 going all the way to NYC and Yonkers. I was also on route 87 and at one stage went on 95N heading to CT and no signal. I think those areas are pretty much covered. Cable has no interference at all. When I checked the status it said scanning but not receiving. I am wondering if I am having a firmware issue. I update but as I said I cant fing tha particular check box - Firmware update for GTMxxx Traffic Receivers. The only box I saw where I checked was Database for FM traffic Provider.
Thats why I am asking 1490t users if they were able to see that check box when they tried to update their firmware.

Garmin tech support said -
"Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I will be happy to assist.

If the option is not there to check then this indicates that theGTM firmware is up to date and does not need updating.
Please advise if you need further assistance."

It does not make sense because all the other check boxes that were updated are always appearing even when hey were just updated.

If you are still experiencing issues, you may need to clear out the saved FM information that is stored on the device, known as the FM Tables.1 This can be done by following these steps:

1. Power your device on by connecting it to the GTM traffic cable

2. Touch View Map

3. Touch Speed (If you are currently in a route this may be changed to Arrival)

4. Touch and hold the middle of the MPH Speedometer

5. Touch Next until the Blue banner says either “FM Table, GTM Tables, GTM Info” *

6. Touch Reset

7. Touch Yes

8. Touch Quit

9. Touch Back to return to the main menu

*If you are using a nuvi 1200, 1300, 1400, 2200, 2300, 2400, 3700 or dezl 560 series device, follow these steps:

1. Power your device on by connecting it to the GTM traffic cable

2. Touch View Map

3. Touch Speed (If you are currently in a route this may be changed to Arrival)

4. Touch and hold the middle of the MPH Speedometer

5. Touch Developer Info

6. Touch the Down Arrow

7. Touch GTM FM Table

8. Touch the menu button (3 horizontal lines) in the upper left corner [Note: This step only applies to the 2200, 2300, 2400, 3700, and dezl 560 series units.]

9. Touch Reset

10. Touch Yes

11. Touch and hold the Back button to return to the main menu

After this is complete, allow the device to receive the FM traffic signals. This process may take up to 20 minutes.

If your traffic subscription has never been activated, you will also need to acquire GPS satellite signal to activate the subscription. After checking the coverage area, plug the traffic receiver/vehicle power cable into the vehicle and then into the GPS device or cradle. Allow the device to receive GPS signal along with the FM signal. This process may take up to 20 minutes.

If you have previously received traffic signal with your receiver, you may still receive traffic signal even without satellite signal. In this case, the device will use your last known position to determine coverage.

Devices that come with lifetime traffic provide the option to enable or disable the advertisement feature and the traffic services as well. To check to see if your traffic is enabled or disabled:

1. Select Tools

2. Select Settings

3. Select Traffic

4. Select the box next to Enable Traffic to make it appear.

This will enable the advertising messages and traffic services.

1The FM tables cannot be reset on the nuvi 800, 805, or 5000 series devices.

Thank you for your continued assistance.

thanks for the info

The FM reset didn't work for me. Firmware update (v5.4), traffic update, hard user reset, GTM FM Table reset, as outlined above and nothing.

Drove from Phoenix, AZ to Detroit, MI -- NO traffic. Antenna unblocked with a clear view of the sky. Not until the next morning in Detroit area did traffic come back.

Prior to this trip, traffic worked flawlessly.

Any thoughts?

If you had no problems before why did you go through the process? It works for me. The solution was for those of us with traffic problems. I had the traffic icon on the screen during my morning and evening driving time yesterday. Never had it on that long before. I am sorry it didn't work for you. I am sure you will get back your icon on the screen soon.

If 1490t users are still having problems after the reset here is a follow up solution from Tech Support

You should not need to clear our the FM tables every day. Please try these steps with the Nuvi 1490T connected to the computer to ensure no corrupted files exist on the Nuvi's internal memory:

Double-click "My Computer" Windows XP and "Computer" on Windows Vista/7

Right-click the hard disk that you want to check, Garmin or Nuvi, etc.

Click "Properties"

Click "Tools"

Under Error-checking, click "Check Now"

A dialog box that shows the Check disk options is displayed

Select the Automatically fix file system errors check box

Click "Start"

If the error checking found bad files(Windows may not notify you, so please do these steps as well), you will need to delete the folder that was created. However, the folder is hidden. To show this folder:

Go to Tools>Folder Options(This may be on the top left corner under "Organize" if you're on Windows Vista/7)

Click the View tab

Click to uncheck “Hide Protected System files”, temporarily and enable “Show Hidden Files and Folders” and click Apply then OK. You may want to change these settings back when you’re finished.

There will be a folder on the GPS called "Found.000". Please delete this file

Disconnect the Nuvi from the computer

Allow it to power on to the Where To and View Map screen and reconnect to the computer

Then, please use WebUpdater to update the System Software and any FM Traffic Database or GTM Firmware updates if needed.

Finally, please perform a Master Reset on the Nuvi:

Note: A master reset will erase all waypoints or Favorites and will restore your unit to the default factory settings. If you would like to back up your Favorites to your computer, you can find instructions to do so here.

Start with the unit OFF and unplugged from power

Touch and hold the lower right corner of the screen with an index finger or the eraser end of a pencil

Continue touching and holding the lower right hand corner of the screen then power the unit ON

Release the power button when the device powers ON

You will see a new message: Do you really want to erase all user data?

Remove your finger from the touchscreen when this message displays

Touch Yes*

The device will automatically reset. Follow the on screen prompts and then place your device in an area with a clear view of the sky until it acquires satellites.

*If the text language on your nuvi is not set to English, touch the button on the right.

The FM Traffic should work proper now.

How do I backup my saved addresses or Favorites on my nuvi, zumo, dezl or nuLink! series device?

08/16/2011

Our nuvi, zumo, dezl, and nuLink! devices allow you the ability to backup the locations saved in the Favorites menu on the device. To backup the Favorites from the Garmin device:

Instructions for a PC:

Connect the Garmin device to a computer using a data transfer USB cable.
Double-click on My Computer or Computer.
Right-click on the Garmin device drive and select Open.
Locate and double-click the GPX Folder.
Some devices may require you to open the Garmin Folder first, then the GPX Folder
Right-click and copy the Current.gpx file.
Locate your computer's Desktop.
Right-click and select Paste to save the Current.gpx file onto your Desktop.

To send the file back to the GPS, please follow the steps below:

Right-click on the Current.gpx file on your Desktop and select Rename.
Name the file Current1.gpx and then press Enter.
Right-click on the Current1.gpx file and select Copy.
Connect your device to your computer.
Double-click on My Computer or Computer.
Right-click on the Garmin device drive and select Open.
Locate and double-click the GPX Folder. (On some devices you may need to open the Garmin Folder first then open the GPX Folder)
Right-click and select Paste.
Disconnect your device from your computer and allow it to boot up.

Your favorites will now be restored on your device. To transfer the saved Favorites from one mass storage device to another, connect the new device to the computer in Step 4 and then follow the remainder of the steps.

Instructions for a Mac:

Connect the Garmin device to the Mac using a data transfer USB cable.
Double-click on the Garmin device when you see it mounted to the Desktop.
Locate and double-click the GPX Folder. (On some devices you may need to open the Garmin Folder first then open the GPX Folder)
Right-click1 and copy the Current.gpx file.
Right-click1 on your Mac's Desktop and select Paste to save the Current.gpx file onto the Desktop.

To send the file back to the GPS:

Right-click1 on Current.gpx file on your Desktop and select Get Info.
Under Name & Extension, rename the file Current1.gpx and press Enter.
Right-click1 on the Current1.gpx file and select Copy.
With Garmin device connected to the Mac, double-click on the Garmin Drive.
Locate and double-click the GPX Folder. (On some devices you may need to open the Garmin Folder first then open the GPX Folder)
Right-click1 and paste the Current1.gpx file into the GPX folder on your Garmin device.

Your favorites will now be restored on your device. To transfer the saved Favorites from one mass storage device to another, connect the new device to the computer in Step 4 and then follow the remainder of the steps.

1If using a Mac with a one button mouse or trackpad, hold the Control button on the keyboard and then click the mouse.

I flew down to Phoenix. Phoenix, not Detroit is where my problems started. Went through everything you outlined above, but no traffic in:
Phoenix,
Tucson,
Amarillo (gave me a update error message)
OK City,
KC, Mo,
Des Moines, IA (gave me another update message),
Chicagoland area,
and finally when I drove into Detroit, MI

Turned off and powered back up the next day -- traffic worked and continues to work flawlessly now.

I did what you recommend -- no lost file chains found. My file table was correct.

I guess I will not know until I leave town again, if what Garmin Tech Support told you will work. Since there was no lost chains of files, by rights, nothing should change.

I returned to Phoenix yesterday morning - drove all over the east valley area - NO traffic.

Why does traffic work in Detroit and not in Phoenix? It is driving me crazy.

Thanks, jamstyle for your info.

Is there any one in the Phoenix area that can confirm that they are picking up traffic broadcasts?

I am convinced it depends on the proximity of the FM radio transmitters. One area may be closer and with less interference. The last time I went to NY via George Washington Bridge I got no traffic icon on my device driving on Route 80 E. I thought that area was pretty much covered. Maybe I need a better receiver than the GTM 25.

No Problem Dennis327

Very nice , thanks for the detailed instr. I also have a 1490

I was surprised today. I drove from NJ to Yonkers NY. Its an hour and a half driving and after 15 minutes on Route 80 E I had traffic detail all the way to Yonkers and back to Nj in the evening. It never happened the first two times last month. The report was fairly accurate. Not bad at all.