Depth Finder problems '03 SANTE

[bmh2208]

This is a separate thread from my cleaning thread

http://planetnautique.com/index.php?...ic&t=13507

For the past few years, my depth finder has been on the fritz. About 96% of the time it does not work. It only shows a depth and then flashes some bars. After looking at the manual it says that when it doesn't get a reading it just shows the last read depth and then some dashes.

Anyways, I tracked the cable from the actual depth finder transducer in the hull back to the faria control box. I got excited to see that the main conductor was pulled out of the plug and hoped that that was my problem.

I rigged a way to connect the wire back and it still does not work. I even went to far as to strip the wire back right at the transducer, short the two conductors and then tested continuity back at the plug to make sure that the cable wasn't severed anywhere along the chain. Unfortunately, the wire is okay and is making connection.

I talked to my dealer and they said that often it is a connection behind the dash, but that doesn't make any sense to me because the gauges are just displays that are driven off of the main computer in the back. So if my other gauges are reading correctly, then most likely it isn't a problem behind the dash.

So....I'm leaning toward the transducer being bad or the actual computer. Hopefully the transducer is what is wrong.

Any ideas? Will the depth finder read if it is sitting on the trailer in my driveway?



I know the connector looks trashed but that can be easily fixed with an "Engineer's duct tape" aka Silicon.

[jmo]

RE: Depth Finder problems

What brand is it? If its a hummingbird 600 the gauge/computer needs to be replaced with the 610 - there are threads that go over this in detail.

[Flipside]

RE: Depth Finder problems

I have problems (I think) with mine. Anytime the speed goes above +/- 30 mph, the gauge shows a depth of 1 - 3 ' which of course causes panic sometimes when you are going 30+ mph! Bring the speed down and it shows the actual depth. Is this normal? Any suggestions?

[jmo]

RE: Depth Finder problems

bmh2208 - sorry, I missed the fact that you had referenced the "faria control box" in your post. It won't read in the driveway - well, mine doesn't anyways. While mine was malfunctioning it wouldn't work at low speeds but was fine at higher ones. In the case of the hummingbirds they get moisture inside the gauge and corrupt the circuitry.

[engkid_486]

Did you fix it?

I was wondering if you ever fixed the problem with your depth finder? I am having a similar issue and was curious if your transducer actually went bad?