Garmin Nuvi 550 & PC mode?? using 12v car adapter??

crazybrother · 09-02-2009, 10:40 PM

Hey guy's why does my Garmin Nuvi 550 go into PC mode when I connect it to my cars cigarette lighter, using an aftermarket adapter? It works fine with the Garmin adapter. They both have the same Mini-USB plug on the other end. Whats the difference?
Thanks.

Andy · 09-03-2009, 8:07 AM

There's been some issue in the past with certain models. Something about the pin length in the mini USB plug. Only a guess though. Is the aftermarket adapter putting out the save voltage as the Garmin one?

HumVee · 09-03-2009, 1:36 PM

crazybrother, You're using a data cable with the cigarette lighter adapter, and not a "charging cable" - you can get those on Amazon.com. If the GPS detects the data strands, it automatically goes into mass storage mode. If the cable is molded into the cigarette/accessory adapter plug, then you may be out of luck. I have heard that if you press the bottom left corner of the screen while powering on the nuvi with the data cable attached, you can get it to function as a GPS unit and not as a mass storage unit. That's just pressing & releasing the power button but continuing to press against the corner of the touch screen - not holding down the power button (which would trigger a master reset).

DrData101 · 09-05-2009, 9:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybrother

Hey guy's why does my Garmin Nuvi 550 go into PC mode when I connect it to my cars cigarette lighter, using an aftermarket adapter? It works fine with the Garmin adapter. They both have the same Mini-USB plug on the other end. Whats the difference?
Thanks.

Be very cautious about using various aftermarket power adapters! Even if the end connectors look right, the power levels can be very different and can possibly damage your GPS unit. I reccomend using ONLY the Garmin cords, both car and PC types.

crazybrother · 09-06-2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks guy's for all the help. I talked to Garmin Tech support. It seems you are all right. There is a bypass, like you said, all you have to do is hold down on the lower left corner during power up for 15 seconds and it will go into regular GPS mode. Power is the same as the Garmin cord 5.0v.
Thanks again.

HumVee · 09-07-2009, 8:32 PM

Thanks crazybrother! I edited my post in light of your statements. Have fun with your 550!

09-02-2009, 10:40 PM	#1
crazybrother Join Date: Apr 30 2008 Location: Nor-Cal Posts: 4	Garmin Nuvi 550 & PC mode?? using 12v car adapter?? Hey guy's why does my Garmin Nuvi 550 go into PC mode when I connect it to my cars cigarette lighter, using an aftermarket adapter? It works fine with the Garmin adapter. They both have the same Mini-USB plug on the other end. Whats the difference? Thanks.

09-03-2009, 8:07 AM	#2
Andy Survey Says? Join Date: Dec 29 2006 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 1,725	Re: Garmin Nuvi 550 & PC mode?? using 12v car adapter?? There's been some issue in the past with certain models. Something about the pin length in the mini USB plug. Only a guess though. Is the aftermarket adapter putting out the save voltage as the Garmin one?

09-03-2009, 1:36 PM	#3
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,254	Re: Garmin Nuvi 550 & PC mode?? using 12v car adapter?? crazybrother, You're using a data cable with the cigarette lighter adapter, and not a "charging cable" - you can get those on Amazon.com. If the GPS detects the data strands, it automatically goes into mass storage mode. If the cable is molded into the cigarette/accessory adapter plug, then you may be out of luck. I have heard that if you press the bottom left corner of the screen while powering on the nuvi with the data cable attached, you can get it to function as a GPS unit and not as a mass storage unit. That's just pressing & releasing the power button but continuing to press against the corner of the touch screen - not holding down the power button (which would trigger a master reset). Last edited by HumVee; 09-07-2009 at 8:31 PM. Reason: Corrected information on which corner to hold while booting to bypass mass storage mode

09-06-2009, 10:53 AM	#5
crazybrother Join Date: Apr 30 2008 Location: Nor-Cal Posts: 4	Re: Garmin Nuvi 550 & PC mode?? using 12v car adapter?? Thanks guy's for all the help. I talked to Garmin Tech support. It seems you are all right. There is a bypass, like you said, all you have to do is hold down on the lower left corner during power up for 15 seconds and it will go into regular GPS mode. Power is the same as the Garmin cord 5.0v. Thanks again.

09-07-2009, 8:32 PM	#6
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,254	Re: Garmin Nuvi 550 & PC mode?? using 12v car adapter?? Thanks crazybrother! I edited my post in light of your statements. Have fun with your 550!

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