Traffic function missing from Nuvi 265WT

your traffic receiver died. Time for a new GTM-20.

Read both links and if neither help it might be the cord itself that's faulty.

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={e78504d0-28aa-11df-e1e7-000000000000}

http://www.navteq.com/rdstraffic/

I was not able to test if the traffic receiver's subscription expired, because under settings there is no longer "Traffic" option.

Traffic option is visible only if GPS detects Traffic Receiver (TR). Looks like your Traffic Receiver either has no connection with GPS or broke down.

You can try to disconnect all cables from mount, than see it they are not dirty, corroded, etc. and assemble it again. If this doesn't help try to connect your TR to other compatible GPS or other TR to your GPS. This shows you, if problem is with TR or GPS. If TR will not work with other GPS you can buy new one, but if your GPS will not work with other working TR you will have to send your GPS to Garmin for repair.

The 265WT does not use the GTM20 traffic receiver, the GTM20 is for units that have a power cradle and have a connector that plugs into the power mount. The 265WT's Power\Traffic receiver plugs into the Nuvi's USB connector. The 265WT uses a GTM25 or GTM26.

I would guess the problem lies with the USB connector on the Nuvi. It's very possible the connector that delivers Traffic has lost contact with the main board. This is sometimes due to stress on the cable which puts pressure on the USB connector. This can be avoided by wrapping the cable around the windshield mount or bean bag to remove the tension.

I agree with member grzesja's suggestion, if possible, try to connect the GTM25 to a compatible unit and see if the Traffic icon appears. Be patient since it may take some time for it to update the Traffic table. If it works on the other unit than it's confirmed the problem lies with the USB connector on the Nuvi.

If you are unable to test it on another unit then it's a crap shoot which could be costly. You would need to buy a GTM25 replacement and may discover it didn't correct the problem.

Either way, it very well not make economical sense to replace the cable or have the USB connector on the Nuvi repaired.

Lastly why not just use the Nuvi without traffic, I find it totally unreliable in my area and I have it disabled..

We have the same 265WT, I'll check it out today if I go out and post here.

The 265WT is plugged into the cigarette outlet. LED on the plug lights up. The battery indicator shows 2 bar of charge left.

The low battery will not affect your traffic signal issue when connected to the 12V cigarette lighter socket. I still believe you have a bad USB connector on the 256W.

It's very possible your battery is no longer holding a charge and would need to be replaced. If it gets too low the Nuvi may not even boot.

I suggest you connect the Nuvi to your PC's USB port and let the battery charge overnight. In the morning disconnect it and check the battery strength to see if it improved. Even better, if you have a wall charger you can use that for a faster charge. If it’s a genuine 1amp Garmin wall charger it will charge faster than charging through the PC.. Cell phone wall chargers are generally .5amps and will take longer.

If it fully charges ,then play with it a while on battery power to see if the battery discharges rapidly, if it does the battery will need replacing since it's no longer holding an adequate charge. It's not difficult to do, watch the video on how to do it.

http://www.newpower99.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GAR...

If the battery is bad and you don't want to replace it, the worst case scenario is you you can only use it when plugged into the vehicle and the Traffic issue will still be present, but at least you can still use it.

It could be that the local radio station that was carrying the traffic signal has discontinued that service. Have you tried the GPS unit in another town during one of your travels?

From Garmin Support

Why isn't my device receiving any FM traffic information?
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12/30/2013
If you have a Garmin device with a traffic receiver but you are not receiving any traffic information, there are a number of steps you can take to resolve the issue.

Confirm you are using the appropriate vehicle power cable
Most Garmin devices will use a GTM traffic receiver cable as the vehicle power cable
Some Garmin devices will use a TA traffic antenna cable as the vehicle power cable
Locate the sticker affixed to the cord or the plug. This sticker should indicate whether the cable is a GTM receiver cable or a TA antenna cable
Ensure the cable is plugged into the correct port on the device, review the manual for your device to ensure correct placement
Check the cable position to ensure the cable is not coiled, bundled, tucked away, or otherwise blocked from traffic signal
Update the traffic receiver firmware using the Garmin Express program
Download and install the free Garmin Express program
With your device connected check for any update that mentions GTM or "traffic receiver"
Click on Device
Scroll down to Optional Updates
Click on Other Files
Select any update that mentions GTM or "traffic receiver
Click Add to Updates
Confirm that you're using the device in a traffic coverage area. Different traffic providers will have different coverage.
Coverage for standard Navteq traffic
Coverage for Navteq HD Traffic (GTM 60 only)
Coverage for Clear Channel traffic
It is also possible that the traffic service has been disabled. To confirm whether the service is enabled:

Connect the device to power using a compatible GTM or TA cable
Touch Tools
Some devices skip this step
Touch Settings
Touch Traffic
If the traffic is disabled, you may enable it here.

If your traffic subscription has never been activated, you will also need to acquire GPS satellite signal to activate the subscription. After checking your coverage area using the links listed above, 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.

If you're still not receiving traffic after following all the steps and tips above, please contact Product Support.

Links referenced

-Manual

https://support.garmin.com/support/manuals/searchManuals.fac...

-Cable placement

http://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={fd4559c0-b3fb-11e2-4124-000000000000}

-Garmin Express

http://www.garmin.com/express

-Standard Navteq traffic

http://www.navteq.com/rdstraffic

-Navteq HD traffic

http://www.navteq.com/hdtraffic

-Clear Channel traffic

http://totaltraffic.com/coverageareas

-Contact Product Support

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/escalateFor...

I have had this happen to mine the odd time. I have to shut it off and repeatedly power it back up. Hope you find the reason and can fix it.

The 265WT comes with GTM-25. As far as I can tell by looking, the specs and physical plugs are the same. Can GTM-25 and GTM-35 be used interchangeably?

See http://forums.gpsreview.net/viewtopic.php?t=22838 next to last post.

According to Garmin, the GTM-35 will work on your Nuvi 265WT.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/shop-by-accesories/traffic-r...

When you plug it in make sure you get a good satellite fix and wait patiently for it to receive the Traffic information. If the Traffic Icon does not appear after waiting a long time I would try it in a different vehicle to eliminate the possibility your vehicle may be the cause.

If after all this and it still does not work, we can assume it's not the cable but the USB connector on the Nuvi having a broken contact to the main board. Happy to hear you have access to another traffic cable, this makes troubleshooting much easier.

each others.

You will need to wait for up to 30 minutes for the new traffic receiver to stabilze on a signal and receive sufficient data.

It appears the problem is the GTM-25 cable. Not only it is not delivering traffic signal, it doesn't deliver power either; despite the fact that the LED lights up when plugged in.

The person who lent me the GTM-35 cable for testing just contacted me to say traffic function disappeared from his GPS after he got the cable back.
I am at a lost to explain this. Could the traffic subscription some how got transferred to my GPS when I used his GTM-35 on my GPS? I always thought the subscription goes with the cable, not with the GPS. Am I wrong?

The Traffic subscription does go with the cable on Nuvi models using the GTM 20, 25, 26, and 35.

Your friend may need to hook the GTM 35 up in his vehicle and wait for it to update the traffic tables, that could take up to 1/2 hour. Just let him be patient.

Ouch - didn't know that could happen... sorry...

Ouch - didn't know that could happen... sorry...

There is a fuse located in the tip of the cigarette lighter plug. You can unscrew the tip (be careful, it's spring loaded and parts WILL fly) and replace the fuse with a standard 3AG 1A glass fuse. That may fix the problem. If it doesn't, then there may be a problem with the USB connector on the Nuvi that's shorting out the cord. That could explain why the other cord is no longer working. (It could be a blown fuse also.)

there should be no power at all. The LED would not light up when plugged in.