Tom Tom question - works via USB but not cigarette lighter?

[NeilF]

Got an odd thing with our TomTom. It's stopped working via the cigaretter lighter. The light on the cigaretter lighter converter comes on, but no light on the Tom Tom.

If I plug it in via USB (the same socket on the Tom Tom) into a PC it lights up.

If I try a different car, the cigarette converter lights up, but no Tom Tom.

If I try a different cigarette converted (I bought) again, its light comes on, but the TomTom doesn't?

How can a mini USB work via a PC, but not via two cigarette lighter converters!?

 

[Cleeecooo]

try cigarette lighter -> USB -> tom tom

 

[NeilF]

try cigarette lighter -> USB -> tom tom

That's how it used to work. I've now tried the original adapter, and another new one. Both adapters show power lights, but the tom tom fails to light up. Same in another car too!

 

[miniyazz]

Try cigarette lighter --> something else to see if it works, and if so, cigarette lighter --> inverter --> USB

 

[Dr Who]

My Wife had the same problem, the mini usb port was damaged on hers.

She had to charge it up indoors and hoped it lasted the journey.

 

[NeilF]

My Wife had the same problem, the mini usb port was damaged on hers.

She had to charge it up indoors and hoped it lasted the journey.

How bizarre! So (like ours?) you could power it from regular USB, but not a cigarette adapter?

You would have thought the 5V power connectors were the same on both!? So I don't see why one would work and the other wouldn't...!? Very confused!

Tempted to buy a USB adapter for a cigarette lighter and use a regular USB lead.... but I really don't see how that will be any different!?

 

[ubersonic]

Did it ever work for you?

A lot of cigarette/USB adapters are designed for powering iPhones and the like and don't put out enough power for a full blown satnav. You get high/low power USB devices drawing different ampages.

*edit* if its the one that came with the satnav it sounds like its fubar

 

[NeilF]

Did it ever work for you?

A lot of cigarette/USB adapters are designed for powering iPhones and the like and don't put out enough power for a full blown satnav. You get high/low power USB devices drawing different ampages.

Yes, it's just stopped working a week or so ago... And won't work when plugged into another car. Thought the cigarette adapter had broken, but a replacement still doesn't allow the TomTom to work... But confused why it works when plugged into a PC via the exact same mini USB socket!?

 

[Dr Who]

Yes, it's just stopped working a week or so ago... And won't work when plugged into another car. Thought the cigarette adapter had broken, but a replacement still doesn't allow the TomTom to work... But confused why it works when plugged into a PC via the exact same mini USB socket!?

Because a USB port has more than 2 connections whereas a USB charger only has positive and ground.

Most likely explanation is that the ground is damaged on the TomTom mini USB port and it is using the data -ve as a ground for charging from the PC cable.

 

[ubersonic]

Is it actually charging via the PC? if its lost the ability to charge it could just be its showing a USB data connection to something (which it won't get from a charger).

 

[NeilF]

Is it actually charging via the PC? if its lost the ability to charge it could just be its showing a USB data connection to something (which it won't get from a charger).

It must be receiving power from the PC as it won't turn on otherwise (the battery in it is poor)...

 

[NeilF]

Because a USB port has more than 2 connections whereas a USB charger only has positive and ground.

Most likely explanation is that the ground is damaged on the TomTom mini USB port and it is using the data -ve as a ground for charging from the PC cable.

OK... I'll try cleaning the port on the TomTom...

I suspect if I buy a USB cigarette converter and use a standard USB lead, I'll have the same problem? ie: Why would the converter bother with the data connectors?

In short... Is it new Tom Tom time?

 

[Imy]

I've still got my charger if you want it. My TomTom died a little while back.

 

[alexthecheese]

I was just looking at higher output car USB adapters. There's one that gives out 2amps. Would that damage anything that's plugged into it, if it doesn't need as much as that, or will it just take what it needs?

 

[NeilF]

I've still got my charger if you want it. My TomTom died a little while back.

I don't think the charger is at fault though... The replacement I bought is suppose to be for a TomTom V3 and it also doesn't make the TomTom work. I think, as someone above has suggested, it's problem with the TomTom itself - meaning it will work off a fully wired usb cable (from a PC), but not off the kind from a cigarette lighter...

 

[Dr Who]

If you have a USB headunit, that should have all pins connected and could well work to charge the TomTom.

 

[NeilF]

If you have a USB headunit, that should have all pins connected and could well work to charge the TomTom.

Why would it bother have the data connections powered when there is no data involved? I suspect they'd do the bare minimum like the standard adapters I have and - as suggested above - not power the data connectors...

Hence this is why my seemingly damaged TomTom will work off the data power connectors from a (PC) but not a cigarette adapter.

 

[Dr Who]

USB headunits have data lines to transfer the MP3's to your HU for playback.

 

[NeilF]

USB headunits have data lines to transfer the MP3's to your HU for playback.

Sorry, I think I see what you're saying now.

The stereo in the car in question, doesn't have USB.

However, another one I have access to does, so I can try that purely out of interest. Suspect that will work but obviously doesn't help with the car in question.

 

[Dr Who]

Well it would tell you that the issue is the tomtom, however, you can arrange repairs fairly cheaply.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Tomtom+Broken+Damaged+USB+Socket+Repair+Service