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255W Re-starts like it is connecting to a computer

 
Sun, 11/27/2011 - 9:33pm

I have a Nuvi 255W with firmware 7.5 and the latest maps for North America that I keep plugged in on my car. When I used to turn the car on, the GPS would turn on and loaded the maps fairly quickly. But now, when I turn the car on, the GPS is acting like it is first connecting to a computer, with the horizontal status bar progressing to the right. It eventually loads the maps, but the whole thing now takes about 4 minutes before the unit is ready to navigate.

Any ideas on how to fix this? The last change I made was updating the maps about 3 weeks ago. Thank you,

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Nuvi 750 TomTom VIA 1605
Sun, 11/27/2011 - 9:36pm

.

Perhaps you're getting a little corruption from a quick shut down when you turn the car off. I would try a hard reset, and then see what happens. Also, it mat be a good idea to turn the nuvi off before shutting down the car.

Most computer OS's don't like a sudden shutdown.

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nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK
Mon, 11/28/2011 - 11:58am

Perform A Hard Reset

Agree with previous post.

Perform a hard reset.

Always turn off the unit before turning the car off or disconnecting the unit from the power source.

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OK.....so where the heck am I?
Mon, 11/28/2011 - 12:06pm

Could be the power cord too

but agree you should power down the unit before shutting off the car

Mon, 11/28/2011 - 12:12pm

Never do

pkdmslf wrote:

Agree with previous post.

Perform a hard reset.

Always turn off the unit before turning the car off or disconnecting the unit from the power source.

I never turn the gps off before the car. Will it hurt the gps.

When the car goes off the gps tells me it will shut down in so many seconds and gives me an option to leave it on. Hopefully that has saved it from hurting my gps. I get so I can't remember anything anymore. Hope I don't have to start remembering this. question

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)
Mon, 11/28/2011 - 6:42pm

Bad power adapter?

Garmin power cables and adaptors connect 2 of the wires on the mini USB connector with a resistor, which tells the GPS to go into navigation mode, not USB mode. Normal USB cables do not have that resistor, so the GPS goes into USB mode and appears as a drive on the computer and can have maps and software updates installed. If you search around this forum or gpsreview.net you will find more detailed explanation.

Maybe your car power adapter is failing, or the resistor or connection are not working causing the GPS to think it is connected to a computer. Luckily the 2x5 series will go into navigation mode after a period of time. Some other Garmins are not so easy to put into GPS mode when attached to a USB source without the proper design.

Tue, 11/29/2011 - 11:32am

What he said

BruceMck wrote:

Garmin power cables and adaptors connect 2 of the wires on the mini USB connector with a resistor, which tells the GPS to go into navigation mode, not USB mode. Normal USB cables do not have that resistor, so the GPS goes into USB mode and appears as a drive on the computer and can have maps and software updates installed. If you search around this forum or gpsreview.net you will find more detailed explanation.

Maybe your car power adapter is failing, or the resistor or connection are not working causing the GPS to think it is connected to a computer. Luckily the 2x5 series will go into navigation mode after a period of time. Some other Garmins are not so easy to put into GPS mode when attached to a USB source without the proper design.

What he said. I tried hard wiring my 255W and using a generic power adapter caused the exact thing you are describing.

Wed, 12/14/2011 - 4:41am

Thanks for the Information

I have the same situation with my Garmin 285W. My car has a USB power jack, and I use it with a generic cable to power the Garmin. Now I know the reason for the slow start up. Thanks for the information on this.

Here's the resistor pin details:
http://pinouts.ru/GPS/garmin_nuvi_power_pinout.shtml

Wed, 12/14/2011 - 7:52am

Thanks

EV Driver wrote:

I have the same situation with my Garmin 285W. My car has a USB power jack, and I use it with a generic cable to power the Garmin. Now I know the reason for the slow start up. Thanks for the information on this.

Here's the resistor pin details:
http://pinouts.ru/GPS/garmin_nuvi_power_pinout.shtml

Thanks for the info EV Driver!