Garmin Nuvi 30 GPS

IA Roy

Well-known Member
My son loaned me his GPS several months ago. This week it quit working. When I turn on the switch I get 5 to seconds of startup screen and then it goes blank. Today I brought it in the house and plugged it into the USB port on the computer. After an hour it does the same thing. It had been losing power, maybe because the bouncing in the truck? The way I had been using it, the power cord was kind of pinched between the unit and the dash. Maybe the connection in the unit, or the plug broke a wire? I was wondering if the battery went bad in it? I was going to take the back off to see if I could replace the battery. I went to 3 stores including Fastenal looking for a torx screwdriver small enough. Menards had a T6 but it was too big. Any suggestions? My sons bought me a cheaper no name GPS for Christmas, but it is not nearly as good as Garmin, But it is getting me through for now. I downloaded the manual from Garmin, but it does not cover this issue. I think I will try to find a number to call. Thanks, Roy
 
You must be talking about a automotive gps, right? The internal battery must be dead and not recharging, we have a Garmin and I assume the usb cord plugs into the same connection as the car charging cord, so it must have an internal problem. Maybe someone that works on cell phones could help you, or maybe send it back to Garmin. They don't cost that much new, so it doesn't pay to spend too much on it. We had a Tom-Tom first and now are using a Garmin, it is better.
 
Below is what I did to correct an issue with mine: I finally found out how to do a ?cold boot? by Googling it, and it works just fine again. I just held down on the bottom of the right hand corner of the screen while turning the GPS on, then continue to hold down on the corner. It asks if ?you want to delete all data? And you answer Yes. The down side is that it erases all your favorites, and you have to reset it just as you did when you first purchased it. BUT, it works again.
 
I have a similar Garmin GPS. Mine has a problem with the charging cable connector. For whatever reason, it only makes contact intermittently. As a result, it works fine until the battery gets low. If I keep It plugged in, it continually makes and breaks the connection. When it breaks the connection, it displays a notice that power has been lost and it will turn off in 30 seconds. I continually have had to override this.
I called Garmin support about it, and they told me that they have an exchange program. Costs $80 exchange plus shipping. Most of the cost of just getting another one.
 
I have 2 gamins. The battery is bad in both of them so I just leave them plugged in when using it.
Another weak point is the power cord. Have replaced that also. You can get new power cords from best buy off the shelf.

If you can plug it into the computer and it comes on but goes off as soon as you unplug it I would bet your battery and truck power cord are bad.
Garmin did have a update for that model because it would not show that you lost external power and was switching to battery power so your battery would go without you knowing it.
 
The older (mini) USB connectors were a bad design, prone to failure due to the way they connect to the printed circuit board. Newer (micro) ones that have the flatter plug are more robust.

Maybe try a different cable if you haven't already.
USB types
 
If you need small torx screwdrivers go to Amazon and buy a cellphone repair set, they are cheap. I have seen some of the torx only have 5 teeth too, think iphone use those.
 

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