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My nuvi50LM was plugged into the lighter when it started reading

 
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  • Answered by:Greg A.
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Customer Question

My nuvi50LM was plugged into the lighter when it started reading "battery low". Now it is plugged into my computer but all I get is the first "GARMIN" screen. I bought it 2 days ago and it was working fine until this.

 



Already Tried:
I can't get it to do enough to try anthing other than plugging in and making sure the connetion was good. It was working until it died; I don't know how to revive it.

Submitted: 321 days and 8 hours ago.
Category: GPS
Value: $30
Status: CLOSED
Picture
Expert:  Greg A. replied321 days and 8 hours ago.

Hello & Welcome,

You mentioned that the unit just displays the GARMIN screen when you plug it into a computer. Are you seeing anything different on the screen of the unit, such as an image (picture) of the unit connected to a computer (tower)?

If so, then that is normal. This means that the unit has "detected" that is connected to a computer and it will go into the "mass storage mode" of the device.

BUT ... at this point in time, about all you will want to do is leave the device connected to the powered ON computer, and allow it to charge the internal battery. It can take up to 4 hours to charge when connected to a computer, because of the relatively lower power available from the USB port.

Now, on to the car power. In the tip of most Garmin car power adapters there is a fuse (see image below). That fuse will need to be checked, and you will need to unscrew the tip of the car power adapter to get to the fuse. WARNING: There is a spring inside the tip of the adapter, and it could come flying out, along with other small pieces, so please be very careful when unscrewing and removing the tip of the adapter.

If that fuse is OK, then the next step is to try your car power adapter in a different power socket in the vehicle, or even a different vehicle. The key here is to make sure (by testing) that you are connecting to a "known good" power socket. That is, one that has been tested and shown to provide good power to a different device - such as a cell phone charger or similar device.

Now what I would recommend for now, is to leave the unit connected to the computer - so that it can charge - and at the same time check the fuse and TEST the power socket that you were plugged in to - to make sure that was working.

Another thing to check for is a "snug fit" for the car power adapter in the power socket. Sometimes these can become loose, and even cause the internal fuse to blow.

Please give these things a try and let me know what you find.

=======================================
This is only the FIRST STEP in troubleshooting this issue, and there may be more steps we can try. So please DO NOT rate this answer unless this fixes the issue and you are 100% satisfied with the answer. Instead use the REPLY or CONTINUE CONVERSATION links to respond with your results.

Thanks, Greg A.

Customer replied321 days and 4 hours ago.

I checked the fuse and the power cord and the lighter - they all seem to work.I have the GPS hooked up to my computer and yes I do also have a picture of a computer on the screen.

Picture
Expert:  Greg A. replied321 days and 4 hours ago.

Hi again,

OK - if the unit has been on the computer for all this time, then it should be charged enough to at least power up on its own, and stay powered up long enough for us to do some TESTING of the car power adapter and the connection to the unit AND power socket.

On the main screen of the unit (after full power up), you may have noticed an icon at the top of the screen that looks something like the icons shown below (make sure you click the image here to see it full size).


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What I would like you to - if you can - is to take unit to your vehicle and carefully and fully install the connector on the back of the unit (from the car adapter cable) and then plug the car power adapter into the power socket in the vehicle. Then see if the unit powers on by itself, and if not, switch it on and allow it to go to the main screen and observe that icon. If needed, switch on the vehicle ignition (or start the engine).

What we are doing here is seeing of the car cable is good and supplying power to the unit. If you see the "lightning bolt" shown in my image, then the cable should be fine. If not, then there could be an issue with the cable or one of the ends. You can also carefully remove and reinstall the plug in the power socket - if needed - to see if the connection is loose there.

Please give these steps a try and let me know what you see for that battery level indicator.

=======================================
This is ANOTHER STEP in troubleshooting this issue, and there may be more steps we can try. So please DO NOT rate this answer unless this fixes the issue and you are 100% satisfied with the answer. Instead use the REPLY or CONTINUE CONVERSATION links to respond with your results.

Thanks, Greg A.

 
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