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I have a new Garmin Nuvi 1390 bought from the Shopping Channel and received a couple of days ago. It comes with lifetime traffic (the reason I bought it), and lifetime maps.
Traffic worked when I first installed it. It doesn't now.

The FM traffic receiver is plugged into the cigar lighter socket.
The other end is plugged into the gpsr.

It powers up the 1390; that unit starts up when the vehicle lighter socket is powered.
So it has power.

I don't believe its receiving traffic signals. There is no icon on the face of the unit (there was when I first got it.)

I've reset the unit in case I changed a setting and somehow disabled reporting.

I can't see any real instructions about using this unit to report traffic. I've downloaded the manual and read the section on traffic. And a lot of the rest.

I've done internet searches, and a search here.

Can you help?

Best,
DaveLynch

ps I've been using Garmin since I bought my GPS III new.

Coles Notes...I've followed the instructions received fromGarmin; traffic reporting still does not work.

Here's what I have in case it helps someone else.

I came home to reset the unit and found I have an email from customr support at Garmin. Here's a copy of the text with that...
will be happy to help you with this. If you have a Garmin device with a traffic receiver but you are not receiving any traffic information, there are a number of steps you can take to resolve the issue.

Update the traffic receiver firmware using WebUpdater
Check to see that you are in a coverage area of your traffic subscription based upon the supplier
If you have a Clear Channel subscription, you can find the traffic coverage areas here
If you have a Navteq traffic subscription, you can find the traffic coverage areas here
After checking the coverage area, plug the Traffic Receiver/Vehicle power cable into the vehicle and then into the GPS device or cradle. Allow the device to receive GPS signal along with the FM signal. This process may take up to 20 minutes.

If you are still experiencing issues, you may need to clear out the saved FM information that is stored on the device, known as the FM Tables. This can be done by following these steps:

Power your device on by connecting it to the GTM traffic cable
Touch View Map
Touch Speed (If you are currently in a route this may be changed to Arrival)
Touch and hold the middle of the MPH Speedometer
Touch Next until the Blue banner says either “FM Table, GTM Tables, GTM Info” *
Touch Reset
Touch Yes
Touch Quit
Touch Back to return to the main menu
*If you are using a nuvi 1200, 1300, 1400, 2200, 2300, or 3700 series device, follow these steps:

Power your device on by connecting it to the GTM traffic cable

Touch View Map

Touch Speed (If you are currently in a route this may be changed to Arrival)

Touch and hold the middle of the MPH Speedometer
Touch Developer Info
Touch the Down Arrow
Touch GTM FM Table
Touch the menu button (3 horizontal lines) in the upper left corner [Note: This step only applies to the 2200, 2300, and 3700 series units.]
Touch Reset
Touch Yes
Touch and hold the Back button to return to the main menu

After this is complete, repeat the steps to plug the Traffic Receiver/Vehicle power cable into the vehicle and then into the GPS device or cradle. Allow the device to receive GPS signal along with the FM signal. This process may take up to 20 minutes.

Note: Devices that come with lifetime traffic provide the option to enable or disable the advertisement feature and the traffic services as well. To check to see if your traffic is enabled or disabled:

Select Tools
Select Settings
Select Traffic
Select the box next to Enable Traffic to make it appear.
This will enable the advertising messages and traffic services






With Best Regards,


Anthony G.

Product Support Specialist

Automotive Team - 2nd Shift

Garmin International

913-397-8200

800-800-1020

913-440-8280 (fax) Att: Anthony G., Associate #6968

www.garmin.com


Additional solutions may be found at http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/u ... rchsupport


Dave

Shopping Channel has been excellent; they put me in touch with the importer/distributor. They're cool. They've authorized replacement of the 1390. I mailed it back to them today; they paid postage.
I'm really impressed!
Dave

I still would like to know if traffic coverage is switched off and on. What I really want is 24/7 coverage.

The 401 here is rush hour from 6:00 am. to at least 8:00 pm. And it doesn't matter whether it's week day, or weekend.

DaveL

Did a search and others report no signal for Toronto Traffic Reporting in another forum.
No one else reported exchanging their 1390 as I have done. (New one hasn't been received yet.)

So--rate gpspassion forum at 4/10. They tried to help.
forums at gpsreview dot net at 8.5/10. They really helped, but haven't found a fix yet.

DaveL

A poster on the forum has contacts. They're sourcing out the problem now.
I haven't received my replacement gpsr yet; don't know if signal strength in Toronto is strong enough to work. Navteq site shows good and effective traffic reports. Seems to be the FM reporting that is failing.
DaveL

The news at www gpsreviews dot com is that the problem has been fixed. Signal strength has apparently been restored. A poster there (air traffic control background) new who to contact at the radio network. They found an offending computer in Toronto, corrected it, and others report the system is up and running.

I have not received my replacemnt garmin to confirm that myself.

DaveL

Summary:

The Shopping Channel is a class act. They've replaced my gpsr with a new unit at no cost.
Traffic reporting works fine.
This is for the Toronto area using a Garmin purchased with lifetime traffic reporting.
Best,
DaveL

Summary, after having traffic reporting working for several months

* Frankly it's not worth the bother.
* Toronto area has traffic reporting; it's one of about 4 cities in Canada
* It's inaccurate, reports traffic problems falsely

There may be better traffic reporting for Canada; ymmv