So I left my GPS in my car over the weekend by accident and then it wouldn’t turn on even after charging it for a while in my car. I plug it into my laptop, boom it turns on. I charge it for a while, try it in my car, and it works, but then suddenly it thinks its on battery, then it recognizes the charger, then it doesn’t. Back and forth.
Eventually the GOS dies, failing to turn back on. SO my question is, is the GPS not charging from the charger car because there’s something wrong with the GPS or the charger becuase its charging through my laptop, but then again, I leave my car charger in my car 24/7, while this is the first time ive left my GOS in my car for an extended period of time.
Please help! Thanks!
September 3rd, 2010
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First of all check if the cigarette lighter contacts are dirty, and then check the electrics on the car (use a multimeter). Then try again.
If there is still a problem, then take out the battery (of the gps device), and plug in the gps to the car charger, see if the gps device turns on (it should since the car batter will provide power). If not then replace the capacitor wired to the cigarette lighter in the car (its cheap about $5 in radioshck).
(I have made the assumption that in the car, the gps device charger is plugged into the cigarette device)
One of the above will fix it.
You write: "I leave my car charger in my car 24/7".
Some (many) vehicles disconnect power to accessory outlets when ignition switch is turned off. Even if you leave your GPS device plugged in 24/7, it will not get charged unless the car is running. So if you are expecting the unit to charge over night while the car is parked in your garage, it will not. However, it should charge while in use (while driving), unless there is some other issue.