Garmin nuvi 310D GTM12 TMC problems

lansobun · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 16, 2006 Posts: 5

I have just bought a nuvi 310D with a GTM12. I can get perfect TMC reception sitting in my living room with the Nuvi plugged in to my laptop regardless of aerial location. I put it in my car and plug it into the lighter socket and I get nothing TMCwise anywhere no matter what aerial configuration I use (even hanging it out of the window). Impressively I get a pretty good GPS lock in my living room too, and a perfect 19 foot lock in the car.

So I tried this experiment - I set up the nuvi powered by the laptop in the car and hey presto I got TMC data. I then unplugged the USB and plugged the lighter power supply back in I restarted the nuvi - no TMC - searched for providers - no TMC - I then put the USB back in and restarted and bingo TMC!

Could the route of these Nuvi GTM12 problems be with the power supply? Does my USB give out a more stable or higher voltage? I'm stuck with a Nuvi with £100 of GMT12 which won't work in my car - that's a bit of a problem and in my mind falls under the 'not fit for purpose' heading and from what I read on the forums this is VERY common. Any ideas? Is the 10R-02 6017 at fault. Can you help me please.

Rob

AlanDB · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 19, 2006 Posts: 5

The TMC on a Nuvi will not work if the Nuvi is running on its internal batteries only.

The most obvious explanation is that when the Nuvi is connected to your laptop it is getting external power so TMC works. When it is powered from your cig lighter socket, it is not getting any power.

Try this. Turn off the Nuvi. Plug in the TMC connection. Plug in your power lead from the cig lighter with the Nuvi is still off. If the cig lighter is supplying power, the Nuvi will turn on automatically - and show TMC. If it does not come on automatically, you have a dodgy power supply from the cig lighter socket., (or you have not switched on your car accessories?)

cantgetlost · Frequent Visitor Joined: Nov 14, 2005 Posts: 291

If you search up and down this thread you will find lots of comment on various GTM's and reception problems.
In my Merc mine would not work with the wire or stub aerial supplied, the car has heat reflective glass that may cause the problem.
Connection to the external Aerial solved the problems.
Search around the thread.

lansobun · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 16, 2006 Posts: 5

AlanDB wrote:

The TMC on a Nuvi will not work if the Nuvi is running on its internal batteries only.

The most obvious explanation is that when the Nuvi is connected to your laptop it is getting external power so TMC works. When it is powered from your cig lighter socket, it is not getting any power.
Try this. Turn off the Nuvi. Plug in the TMC connection. Plug in your power lead from the cig lighter with the Nuvi is still off. If the cig lighter is supplying power, the Nuvi will turn on automatically - and show TMC. If it does not come on automatically, you have a dodgy power supply from the cig lighter socket., (or you have not switched on your car accessories?)

No it is definately powered, the unit tells you when there is no power for TMC operation - that was the first thing I checked - I believe that it is more fundamental than that!

Legohead · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 10, 2006 Posts: 19

How are you plugging the TMC aerial into the Nuvi and connecting to the PC at the same time? You must be using the screen mount to access the rear connector as well. The TMC aerials only work in the side connector, not in the rear one, but power will work in both.

Not tried the USB in the rear connector via the screen mount yet

I've been having problems with traffic reception, haven't had a chance to speak to Garmin yet, be onto them today Wink

swing · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:13 am Post subject:

lansobun · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 16, 2006 Posts: 5

swing · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:14 pm Post subject:

lansobun · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 16, 2006 Posts: 5

Spoke to Garmin - and my USB power test seems to have set the hares running!

Although they said that they couldn't help me now, they have siezed upon my power level evidence as a possible answer to the streams of TMC support calls that they have had.

They are going to get back to me when they've tested it - in the meantime I'm going to try an alternative USB Cig lighter power supply and see how that does - then, a different car.

swing · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject:

Legohead · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 10, 2006 Posts: 19

My Nuvi 310D went back for a refund yesterday as the TMC (or lack of) was driving me nuts. I bought a Tomtom Go510 which I know could be suicide after my last experience with one, but i do prefer the TT in use, and how you can configure just about anything.

Might have tried another Nuvi, say a 310, but for the same money the TT 510 does more

SimB · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 21, 2006 Posts: 1

This thread is interesting. I received my nice new Nuvi 360 today with a gtm12. I was playing around with it this evening in the house - powering the Nuvi using the AC adaptor through the mount so that I could try out the traffic information. The result ... no traffic information ... just searching for ever. I updated the software from the Garmin site - still no joy. At this point I was thinking that the gtm12 might be dead. Then I came across this thread. Replaced the AC adaptor with the USB cable to my laptop and retried. TMC information in about 30 seconds! Not tried it in the car yet!

Eldar · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 1:22 am Post subject:

RDS · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 09, 2006 Posts: 242

It wouldn't work as the GM12 TMC will not run off the internal Nuvi battery.It requires an external power supply to operate and so either an A/C power lead or USB lead has to not only be connected but also be providing power.

Gibb · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2006 Posts: 30

Reading this thread, I count myself very lucky.

I bought a 310D two weeks ago, and have had no problems with the traffic service from the word go.

Went to Chelmsford the other day, and the traffic didn't work there, but as soon as I got a few miles out of the city it was fine.

Works 100% around Norwich which is where I have used it so far.

Wish I'd had it a month ago when a drive from Norwich to Glastonbury took 9 and a half hours due to traffic!

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