Garmin Zumo 500/550

[Rob J]

I recently purchased a Zumo 500 and have been most impressed with the results (combined with the autocom)

Just one query tho.

Having wired all the kit to the bike (1200GSA) there have been a couple of occassions where i am riding along (listening to tunes, making calls etc)and suddenly the zumo tells me that the external power source has been disconnected and then shuts down.

How is this possible whilst the bike is running.

Should mention here that i checked my wiring with my local BMW main dealer and they gave it the thumbs up.

On both occassions the power off thing happened it was after a bacon butty stop.

Pretty certain the butty is not to blame (bloody hope not or the garmin will have to go) but wondrered if there is a specific order that i should be doing things.

The reason i mention it is because It doesn't seem to happen if i start the bike first then power up the zumo..... but i could be wrong.

Just wondered if any of you learned folk had any similar eperiences or ideas?

Cheers

 

[peterh]

If the Zumo is being powered from a canbus controlled circuit, it will shut down when the ignition is off.

Try this. Start bike, ride, stop and switch off bike. If the Zumo is on a canbus circuit, it will remain running for a short while. You should then see the Zumo report lost power, and ask do you want to run off the (internal Zumo) battery? If you do nothing, it assumes you do not want it to do that and the Zumo shuts itself down.

Best not to let it do that, but either tell it to operate on battery power and then power off via the button, or if in a hurry just power off via the button. A few Zumo units do not like powering themselves down and may have a hissyfit and decline to restart unless the battery is removed.

 

[Rob J]

If the Zumo is being powered from a canbus controlled circuit, it will shut down when the ignition is off.

Try this. Start bike, ride, stop and switch off bike. If the Zumo is on a canbus circuit, it will remain running for a short while. You should then see the Zumo report lost power, and ask do you want to run off the (internal Zumo) battery? If you do nothing, it assumes you do not want it to do that and the Zumo shuts itself down.

Best not to let it do that, but either tell it to operate on battery power and then power off via the button, or if in a hurry just power off via the button. A few Zumo units do not like powering themselves down and may have a hissyfit and decline to restart unless the battery is removed.

Pete,

Thanks for that. From the sound of it i am running canbus wiring.

Question is how do I prevent the zumo from loosing bike power when out on the road?

Thanks

 

[Tomcat]

I've never had this happen, but if the wiring to the cradle is OK, then there may be a problem at the cradle itself, or perhaps you didn't refit the unit properly after the butty stop? Check the contact pins to make sure they're clean, not corroded etc. If it is a new unit I'd call Garmin and ask for their assistance under the warranty.

 

[Beemer GS]

Hi there Rob,

Your Zumo is connected to the canbus of the GSA.
To involve the problem of switching off, you have to go to your BMW dealer and ask for a software update for the canbus system.
There is nothing wrong with your Garmin even with your connections.
When you switch off the contact, wile driving, and switch on right again, the Zumo will come up again.
This is a temporary solution.

This is a Beemer software problem.

Regards, Willem

 

[thedukeofhunslet]

I have had this problem too when connected to the Canbus system (via the factory lead) and also connected to the Aux-power connector.

The problem for me was that I rode it in the rain ONCE without covering up the 'prongs' with the rubber jonny.

It looked like corrosion built up inside where the prongs connect and was causing the unit to short and thence cut its power supply to protect itself.

I cured it by squirting the prongs and the Zumo connection pad with WD40 and then giving them a quick clean with a tooth brush.

All good now.