255W Weird Problems (car power shows data connection)

My 1450 does the same thing started with the low battery.

"This Accessory Is Not Supported"

That's the error I'm getting now whenever I connect either of my official Garmin car chargers.

I'm doing a bit of digging around on the web. Several solutions to this problem have been suggested. I'll try a few and report back.

Edit: The problem is definitely with the mini-USB interface between the car chargers and ports on the GPS units. Both units now exhibit different problems with both of the chargers in different ways. Using WD40 did not make a difference. I'm going to order a replacement charger and see what happens.

a bad USB port on the unit itself. This is a known weak point in the design of some older units. Try to power it up while gently manipulating the power cord USB connector where it plugs into the unit.

This happened to my 265W which is very similar to the 255. The repair price quoted was a bit steep at the time but luckily, I was able to solve the problem myself.

I got a short 6" pigtail cable which by luck, made a good connection to the worn USB port on the 265. I hot glued the male end of the pigtail to the back of the unit and from then on, used the female end of the pigtail to connect and disconnect the power cord. It is still working today.

Sometimes my old 855 (backup GPS) doesn't want to charge from the 12 volt cord. I found if I use a mini USB to USB connector and plug it into a computer it will charge. Then just put the 855 in the cradle with the 12 volt cord plugged in it will now recognize it. Why? Don't know!

I think part of the issue is cable strain, perhaps even made worse on using with the "traffic" functionality due to the addition weight of the antenna in the cable. All that weight puts a strain on the connector at the back of the GPS. I recently had an issue where I was intermittently losing power. With a long drive ahead I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of not having a GPS. I wrapped the cord up around the suction mount and the issue went away. Some experimentation and the problem reappeared. It probably is a problem with the GPS connector since the unit is 10 years old but wrapping the excess cable might be a good idea even in a new unit since it minimizes the weight on the GPS connector.

Started doing that a long time ago around the mount twice and then secured with a cable tie.

My 750 was doing exactly the same thing.

Bought a new battery on line, changed it and my unit worked like new. Changing the battery isn't difficult if you have some mechanical aptitude otherwise take the unit and battery to your local cell phone repair shop & they can do it. Takes about 5 minutes.

Thank you all for the replies!

The problem isn't cable strain or a broken cable. Although, I have isolated the problem:

My 255W with its original car charger doesn't work. It behaves strangely and won't let me tap items on the screen. Sometimes it just plain locks up.

My 255W with my brother's car charger works. It doesn't boot up immediately like it used to. It starts like it is connected to a computer, but eventually gives me access after about a minute or two.

My brother's 255W works with either his original charger or my original car charger. However, it too doesn't boot up immediately like it used to. It starts like it is connected to a computer, but eventually gives me access after about a minute or two.

The key here seems to be patience. Both units act like they're connected to a computer, but eventually boot into their functional car driving modes.

albergmv: Thank you for the tip. Both of these 255W units are pretty old and barely hold a charge. I'll order a replacement battery for one of them and see what happens. I'll report back here with the results.

Thanks again, everybody!

It's time for a new GPS, if you find a battery and have it installed a new GPS might not be that much more expensive.

You can get a battery for a 255W as cheap as $7 on eBay and install it yourself ... so considerably cheaper than a new GPS. It is worth a try IMO.

alandb, is the 255W not an over a decade old GPS?

I do have an ancient 855, but it is not my primary GPS. My 855 has lifetime maps and traffic and a simple by owner replacecable battery. Apparently they are not available anywhere. So if anything goes drastically wrong it's out to pasture. It has served me well over many years.

Would a 255W not be the same?
Just wondering.

It came out in March 2008 ... arguably one of the most reliable nuvi's in that series history. If it does what poibb wants in a gps, it is worth a $7 repair IMO.

I've only ever owned the 255W, so I'm ignorant of newer features that I may or may not want. It meets my needs. Maps and POIs are easily loaded. It's good enough.

I'm still waiting for the battery. I'll update again when it arrives and I get a chance to try it out.

I replaced my battery. I have gobs of Allen wrenches and still had trouble finding the correct size. Still rounded out the one screw.

They are not allen screws, but Torx (star shaped), I think #5 if I remember correctly. I wish you had asked on the forum before ruining the screws. Many batteries come with the correct tool, but it is also available at any hardware supplier.

My new battery arrived and I installed it OK, but chipped a bit of plastic. It's still functional though.

The best news is that my 255W is fully functional again! It's even working with its original car charger too. Apparently, a failing battery causes all kinds of weird problems with these units.

For ~$8, this was a very worthwhile fix. I'm glad to have my GPS back and working again.