nuvi 1490 keeps rebooting

[p0m2]

Hi,

Hoping you guys can help me solve my issue.. my garmin nuvi 1490 keeps rebooting, changing to pc mode vice versa.. Is this a software issue? thanks!

[d1754]

It could be a map issue. The installed map might be corrupted. Try removing then installing again the map.

[hbt]

Hi,

Hoping you guys can help me solve my issue.. my garmin nuvi 1490 keeps rebooting, changing to pc mode vice versa.. Is this a software issue? thanks!

does it reboot when you plug the car charger?

read this if it does https://RoadGuide.ph/forums/showthre...ing-in-the-car

[p0m2]

does it reboot when you plug the car charger?

read this if it does https://RoadGuide.ph/forums/showthre...ing-in-the-car

yup it does.. it looks like a pin problem

I was able to isolate the problem by reading this article: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/35901


A common problem on the Nuvi 12xx, 13xx & 14xx models, as well as other models with a mini-USB only power port, is that the connector itself breaks away from the board.

The problem can cause a couple different symptoms:

1. Unit powers off and reboots for no reason. This is because the power leads on the mini-USB jack (positive and/or negative) are loose and prevents the battery from being charged. If the battery is discharged enough, it will turn off. If the power connections happen to touch again (road vibrations or power cord is moved), the unit will power back up again. You may also see the unit constantly popping up with the "turn off/countdown" screen.

2. Unit enters into data mode. This is caused by a bad connection of the data pins on the USB connector.

So why does this happen? Why does the jack become loose?

There are (5) data/power pins and (3) mechanical legs to support the jack. The data pins also help to support the jack. This type of connector is a SMT (surface mount) connector. It is soldered to the board by running the board through an oven. It is not soldered by hand.

The problem is, when you have a large surface area that has to be soldered, it requires a lot of heat to do it. It requires more heat than what would be used in a SMT oven. So to reduce the surface area and allow the oven to solder the connection, the manufacturer makes tiny pads on the printed circuit board that are easier to heat up in the SMT oven. This is where the problem is.

Since the pads are so small (not much bigger that the leads of the connector), they are fragile. Constant plugging and unplugging of the mini-USB plug puts stress on the connector and weakens the mechanical connections. Once they are broken, all you have left now is the (5) data pins for mechanical strength and it doesn't take long for those to break too. Once they break, the symptoms begin.

The weight of the traffic receiver cable is also constantly pulling down on the connector. Securing this cable to the cradle bracket may help matters.

So, how do you fix the problem? Well, resoldering the connections is one way. However, if the pads are pulled up on the printed circuit board, fixing the problem becomes quite more complicated.

The long-term solution is to scrape away the green printed circuit board solder mask, which will provide more surface area to solder to (by hand).

Next, adding epoxy all around the mechanical legs and body of the connector will help too.

Top and bottom pictures of the jack can be seen here:

http://www.sharc.net/images/13xx-14xx-USB1.jpg

http://www.sharc.net/images/13xx-14xx-USB2.jpg

The best GPS units to own are of the type that has a powered cradle. The powered cradle is designed to be more robust than the mini-USB jack and can handle many more connects/disconnects.

You can also have a broken/intermittent wire in the charger cord. We've seen that as well.

[p0m2]

yup it keeps rebooting while plugged in the car charger

yes it reboots when plugged in the car charger... It looks like a usb pin problem by reading the article: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/35901 so far it looks it because when I move the cable it reboots

A common problem on the Nuvi 12xx, 13xx & 14xx models, as well as other models with a mini-USB only power port, is that the connector itself breaks away from the board.

The problem can cause a couple different symptoms:

1. Unit powers off and reboots for no reason. This is because the power leads on the mini-USB jack (positive and/or negative) are loose and prevents the battery from being charged. If the battery is discharged enough, it will turn off. If the power connections happen to touch again (road vibrations or power cord is moved), the unit will power back up again. You may also see the unit constantly popping up with the "turn off/countdown" screen.

2. Unit enters into data mode. This is caused by a bad connection of the data pins on the USB connector.

So why does this happen? Why does the jack become loose?

There are (5) data/power pins and (3) mechanical legs to support the jack. The data pins also help to support the jack. This type of connector is a SMT (surface mount) connector. It is soldered to the board by running the board through an oven. It is not soldered by hand.

The problem is, when you have a large surface area that has to be soldered, it requires a lot of heat to do it. It requires more heat than what would be used in a SMT oven. So to reduce the surface area and allow the oven to solder the connection, the manufacturer makes tiny pads on the printed circuit board that are easier to heat up in the SMT oven. This is where the problem is.

Since the pads are so small (not much bigger that the leads of the connector), they are fragile. Constant plugging and unplugging of the mini-USB plug puts stress on the connector and weakens the mechanical connections. Once they are broken, all you have left now is the (5) data pins for mechanical strength and it doesn't take long for those to break too. Once they break, the symptoms begin.

The weight of the traffic receiver cable is also constantly pulling down on the connector. Securing this cable to the cradle bracket may help matters.

So, how do you fix the problem? Well, resoldering the connections is one way. However, if the pads are pulled up on the printed circuit board, fixing the problem becomes quite more complicated.

The long-term solution is to scrape away the green printed circuit board solder mask, which will provide more surface area to solder to (by hand).

Next, adding epoxy all around the mechanical legs and body of the connector will help too.

Top and bottom pictures of the jack can be seen here:

http://www.sharc.net/images/13xx-14xx-USB1.jpg

http://www.sharc.net/images/13xx-14xx-USB2.jpg

The best GPS units to own are of the type that has a powered cradle. The powered cradle is designed to be more robust than the mini-USB jack and can handle many more connects/disconnects.

You can also have a broken/intermittent wire in the charger cord. We've seen that as well.

- Jim

[pyth777]

I been using Garmin 1490 model for years and sold some. The most common problem of 1490T is the usb port pins inside easily broke. It can be repaired though but for a short period it will break again. But i learned from my past experience, pro active solution is needed so that usb pins will stay for life more than your nuvi 1490LT life. One solution is to put hardening support in its base. I used special flex material not epoxy for strengthening the base...and all my 1490 even new have hardened support and pretty sure it USB port will stay for a lifetime.
For your problem, it was definitely board problem unless it would not detected by pc otherwise its usb port problem. Try garmincure, once i solved it with garmin cure...

[p0m2]

I been using Garmin 1490 model for years and sold some. The most common problem of 1490T is the usb port pins inside easily broke. It can be repaired though but for a short period it will break again. But i learned from my past experience, pro active solution is needed so that usb pins will stay for life more than your nuvi 1490LT life. One solution is to put hardening support in its base. I used special flex material not epoxy for strengthening the base...and all my 1490 even new have hardened support and pretty sure it USB port will stay for a lifetime.
For your problem, it was definitely board problem unless it would not detected by pc otherwise its usb port problem. Try garmincure, once i solved it with garmin cure...

it looks like a board problem because it can still be detected by my pc and there is a little movement in the usb port. Can you post a pic on the how you did the hardening support for your unit? thanks!