I recenty received a used Garmin Nuvi and I can't access the previous owners pin number /security location number. Is there anyway to over-ride the existing pin number and create my own?

Unless the vendor supplied it, you cannot operate a locked Garmin and you cannot bypass the code.

The following is cut and pasted from my existing FixYa Tip and deals with your precise problem:-


You have Garmin Lock activated on your nuvi: there are only two ways you can unlock it.

1. Enter the PIN code (but you clearly don't have it or you wouldn't be reading this).

2. Take the unit to the Security Location you chose when activating Garmin Lock: it will then unlock without the PIN code and you can then either reset the PIN or disable Garmin Lock. The Security Location should not be the owner's home address, but many owners ignore this recommendation. Many owners choose their workplace or a close friend or relatives address for this purpose.

If neither option works then your unit is useless unless you send it to Garmin with proof of first purchase. Garmin charge for the service and if your maps are not up to date then it's really a waste of money as the investment would be better spent on a new unit with current mapping.

I hope that you manage to either fix your problem using my advice or at least can decide whether to abandon the unit and buy another.

You may read advice elsewhere advising you to use a secret menu to erase all user data. This is done by starting with the nuvi switched off and then pressing and holding the bottom right corner of the screen and then, whilst still pressing the bottom corner, turning the unit on. Please note that although this erases all previous user data, it does not bypass Garmin Lock. There is NO bypass for Garmin Lock except by taking the unit to the owner's security location; it would be a useless theft deterrent otherwise.

Hello,

Going back to the security location will unlock the unit but in order to reset the pin code, the original pin code must be input.
To unlock the unit, it must be sent back to Garmin.

If it is asking for a PIN number, then the unit has been secured by the previous owner. If you bought it new, take it back to the store for a new unit. If you bought it used, you cannot change the PIN number. Only Garmin can unlock it and you will need an original receipt from a licensed Garmin dealer to unlock it and they will probably charge you for this service. This is a security feature so that the unit cannot be used if it is stolen.

Unfortunately, you can't reset the PIN. If you know the previous owner's security location, it will automatically unlock at that location and you can then reset the PIN code. Otherwise, you have to send it to Garmin, with an original receipt from an authorized Garmin dealer and they will unlock it for a fee. Other than those two solutions, your unit is now useless. This is a security feature on the Garmin GPS units to prevent units from being used if they are stolen. I would take it back to the person who sold it to you and request a refund.

You have Garmin Lock activated and there are only two ways you can unlock it.

1. Enter the PIN code (but you clearly don't have it).

2. Take the unit to the Security Location you chose when activating Garmin Lock: it will then unlock without the PIN code and you can then either reset the PIN or disable Garmin Lock. The Security Location should not be the owner's home address, but many owners ignore this recommendation. Many owners choose their workplace or a close friend or relatives address for this purpose.

If neither option works then your unit is useless unless you send it to Garmin with proof of purchase. Garmin charge for the service and if your maps are not up to date then it's really a waste of money as the investment would be better spent on a new unit with current mapping.

I hope that you manage to either fix your problem using my advice or at least can decide whether to abandon the unit and buy another.

I had for 2 years a nuvi 255w and its as working real good. Until one day i tried to open it up and it ask me a code pin. Witch i dont have. Ive been the only one owner on that GPS and never put any pin code on it and now just like that it want one... Grrrr that **** me off i cant use it anymore i dont have any acess anywhere exept that pin code of 4 number,. Is this possibility of update? I dont know I am the only one in that situation?

Since you bought the device used, it's likely the previous owner did not clear the passwords and data. Short of tracking down the previous owner, there is no way to unlock the unit without doing a factory reset. Here's a guide to reset the Garmin GPS units to their original factory settings.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/06/09/how-to-reset-garmin-nuvi-gps-device-access-maintenance-mode/

Send it back to the guy you bought it from. He'll need to take the unit to the location he used to set the PIN code in order to access the menu and disable the security location feature.

There is no other way around this as it's an anti-theft measure: unless you can get the previous owner to co-operate and sort this out then you have a useless piece of junk. Garmin will not help you either as they only provide support to the original purchaser and even then only if the product was registered with them.

The pin should not be necessary if you are operating your garmin in your 'secure location' that you established when you enabled the garmin lock feature.

How are you accessing the device?

try using the last four numbers of your model number