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1490t Traffic Issue

My fairly new 1490t frequently loses the traffic signal or when starting up, does not receive the traffic signal. Pulling the power cord seems to get it going for a while and then the signal stops again and the icon goes grey. I am in traffic coverage areas (Albany, NY & Now LA area). I already reset the memory buffer in the settings and it worked for one trip here in LA and now the traffic is once again not loading into the unit. I guess I will have to send it back to Garmin when I return home but curious if others are also experiencing this issue.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    Hi Agilix,

    I am right in the same area you are, frequently traveling on I-95 through the New Haven area.

    Following up on the post I made several days ago, today my 2595's traffic feature still isn't working, however, the symptoms have changed.

    For the last few days, when I drilled down into to the traffic sub-menu by clicking the green icon on the map, I saw a full complement of green signal bars (fluctuating a bit based on my location) implying a strong, clear signal, however, the screen said the unit was "searching for service", and of course no traffic data was displayed.

    This morning, the traffic sub-menu displayed no green bars, and the unit indicated that it couldn't locate any signal at all. It would start counting the length of time it was trying to get a signal, e.g. "searching for signal for 5 minutes", "searching for signal for 6 minutes", etc. So while before it seemed like there was a signal, but no traffic data present, now it seems there is no signal at all for the unit to latch onto.

    I put in a question to Garmin customer report about what I've been experiencing. They asked me a bunch of information about the FM receiver unit I have (GMT25 vs 35), and they are suggesting it could be a bad receiver unit. Well, if I'm not the only one having troubles, then there is one of two possibilities. Either there is something going on in the actual NavTeq => Garmin data transmission feed in our area, or there is indeed a flaw in the receiver units (or some other aspect of the device, maybe software update) that is clearly affecting more than a few people.Either explanation is totally unacceptable, and has me considering whether to shove this thing straight back over to Amazon and cut my losses.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    Hi Agilix,

    I am right in the same area you are, frequently traveling on I-95 through the New Haven area.

    Following up on the post I made several days ago, today my 2595's traffic feature still isn't working, however, the symptoms have changed.

    For the last few days, when I drilled down into to the traffic sub-menu by clicking the green icon on the map, I saw a full complement of green signal bars (fluctuating a bit based on my location) implying a strong, clear signal, however, the screen said the unit was "searching for service", and of course no traffic data was displayed.

    This morning, the traffic sub-menu displayed no green bars, and the unit indicated that it couldn't locate any signal at all. It would start counting the length of time it was trying to get a signal, e.g. "searching for signal for 5 minutes", "searching for signal for 6 minutes", etc. So while before it seemed like there was a signal, but no traffic data present, now it seems there is no signal at all for the unit to latch onto.

    I put in a question to Garmin customer report about what I've been experiencing. They asked me a bunch of information about the FM receiver unit I have (GMT25 vs 35), and they are suggesting it could be a bad receiver unit. Well, if I'm not the only one having troubles, then there is one of two possibilities. Either there is something going on in the actual NavTeq => Garmin data transmission feed in our area, or there is indeed a flaw in the receiver units (or some other aspect of the device, maybe software update) that is clearly affecting more than a few people.Either explanation is totally unacceptable, and has me considering whether to shove this thing straight back over to Amazon and cut my losses.


    I am in the same boat.

    Since MSN Direct was shut off, I have to use GTM 21 for my 775T. While it was worse than MSN Direct, at least it was working just a month ago. Now GTM 35 with 3490LMT could not receive traffic signals, either, and you are also having same issue with your receiver, I doubt this is a receiver problem (I could be wrong). I will question Garmin on the NavTeq service issue, and I already opened a new thread on this forum hoping to get more attention.

    BTW, Iike you, I also even bought another old GTM 25 off Amazon, but it did not work either since I got it this week. Another bad receiver unit? Well, at least the Best Western Ad keeps popping up from the GTM 25!! :)
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    LOL about the ads still popping up, I was thinking the exact same thing!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    I replied to Garmin support today, giving them my FM cable's model and serial numbers. I also linked to this thread as an FYI to them, as apparently I'm not the only one in my area who is having problems, including what appears at times to be a full traffic signal without any actual traffic data being displayed. If they don't come up with a solution or possibly mail out a new FM cable right away, I'm just going to exchange it through Amazon. I'm certainly not going to be inconvenienced to have to ship anything to Garmin and wait for a new part/unit that isn't even guaranteed to work anyhow. If I have to ship anything out, it'll be to get a different product altogether.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    FYI I got a response back from Garmin support. They did not even consider any explanation for this other than a bad FM receiver. Their suggestion is that I front the cost ($60) of a new transmitter to be shipped out from their warehouse and that I return the transmitter I have now, presumably shipping at my own expense. I would later be reimbursed for the cost of the new transmitter. After reading all of the posts here relating of bad experience with the traffic feature from numerous people using many different models (and transmitters) spread all over the country, I will opt to not pay another dime to try to rectify a problem of unknown scope with a brand new Garmin device. I think there are some serious issues brewing at Garmin with respect to quality control and customer satisfaction. From what I have been reading, my gut is telling me this is not an issue with the receiver, and even if it is, the widespread nature of it is alarming, to say the least. I could live with the stupid ads which some might feel are a distraction, I could live with the odd reduction of functionality (no FM transmission of sound to car stereo? No music media player?) in a premium model versus older, less expensive models, I could even live with getting a lemon to start with. What I won't tolerate is jumping through hoops or paying for anything, shipping or otherwise, to take corrective action on a $250 device that was broken when I got it. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations, but there are (at least to me) noticeable changes for the worse in the quality of Garmin as a company from when I purchased my nuvi 760 several years ago. I will try either a TomTom or Magellan, because all I really need is a functional traffic reporting system to assist during my commute. If that doesn't work, I'll try to get a different smart phone or something that has similar functionality. Good luck to those still trying to get the traffic working on their Garmin units.

    -Mike