Garmin Zumo 550 wiring problem

[ipokebadgers]

I am hoping this is OK for this forum and I have searched.

I purchased a used Garmin Zumo 550. I wired it onto my R1200R using the aux plug that is unused under the front of the tank (I ordered the correct repair plug) and had the following issue:

The GPS is not getting power from the bike cradle. It is running on the batteries. When I put it in the car cradle it is getting power. I checked the pins on both cradles and have power, positive and negative, on the same pins on both cradles. Below is a representation of those pins with the + and - showing the location of pins with power on both cradles.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . + . . . . . . . . -

Same voltage, 11.69VDC, on the same pins on both cradles, however, the unit won't run on the bike cradle.

I am hoping some electrical farkle guru can give me suggestions for troubleshooting.

Thanks,

Sean

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Sean, If you have the + proven to be working, then the ground must be lacking. Use an ohm meter to confirm that the ground is real.

[mogu83]

Might also be a good idea to check polarity. Go from + to chassis ground (not the other pin) on both cradles to make sure their the same.
Again don't know your level of experience with electronics. If you have a digital meter look for a + or - symbol before the voltage reading to check polatity.
Excuse me if this is too basic but it sounds like a polarity problem.

[ipokebadgers]

Thanks guys,

No need to apologize. While I have experience with electrical and multimeters all suggestions are welcome. Some times it is the simplest things that get overlooked. I checked the ground and everything is good. I also had an instrument technician here at work double check everything I did. I have done some searching on the interwebs and found that this is a common problem. Aparently there is a ribbon connector that can develope a short under the pin contacts on the cradle. I am going to buy a replacement cradle and then take this one apart and see what is what.

Sean

[crewzzn88]

could your "used" garmin be bad? maybe try it in the car to see if it even works.

[ipokebadgers]

It turned out to be my auxiliary plug on the bike. I now have two good cradles . It took me and an electronics technician to trace it back to that. Instead of messing with that I wired it through my aux fuse panel. I am in the middle of a 800 mile trip through the mountains and the 550 works well.

Sean