HELP: Humminbird sounder issues

For the past couple times I've been out on the water my Humminbird Matrix 17 has been stuck reading 2.1' regardless of the actual depth (1' - 100').  I remounted the transducer before I went out today with the same results.  Out of frustration, I took the transducer out and plopped it in the water bare and it continued to read the same value.  The first two feet also read heavy surface clutter which is what made me try putting it in the water bare.

So what do you guys think... bad transducer or bad control unit?    

Sounds like a trans or connection problem somewhere. Try putting the head unit on someone else's H'bird FF and see of the problem persists.

How do the electrical connections look?

The connections from the unit to the mount look great, the power connection could stand a little TLC.  Could a crappy power connection cause this?

Who has a Humminbird unit that wants to meet up next weekend?  I want to get this resolved before ORC if at all possible so I can replace whatever is necessary.  Thanks guys.

The connections from the unit to the mount look great, the power connection could stand a little TLC.  Could a crappy power connection cause this?

Yes. Check the readout that reports the voltage that the head unit is seeing.  What does it say?

Or put an ohmmeter across the cable.  What does it say?

If it's the battery side connection on the power cord, strip is back a couple inches, redo the connection and try it.

-Allen

Who has a Humminbird unit that wants to meet up next weekend?

I'm free during the week. PM me if you want to meet up.

The connections from the unit to the mount look great, the power connection could stand a little TLC.  Could a crappy power connection cause this?

Who has a Humminbird unit that wants to meet up next weekend?  I want to get this resolved before ORC if at all possible so I can replace whatever is necessary.  Thanks guys.

I have a spare Humminbird scupper-fitting transducer (XTH-9-20-P) you could borrow for a test and/or for ORC.  I am in Shoreline.  If you're interested PM me with a phone number for arrangements. 

Thanks guys!  I need to clean my connections up tonight and do a bucket test.  If the connections fix it, I should notice a difference from the bucket test alone.  If it is still hosed I'll hit up Bryce for a weekday evening rendezvous. 

If the transducer is the culprit I will definitely take you up on your offer.

I have the exact same problem with my new huminbird 385 unit. It only happens when Im in real deep water, so I thought maybe it had reached its limit causing the false readings. Seems to happen at about 500ft, though I believe the ff is supose to go to 700-1000ft.

I have the exact same problem with my new huminbird 385 unit. It only happens when Im in real deep water, so I thought maybe it had reached its limit causing the false readings. Seems to happen at about 500ft, though I believe the ff is supose to go to 700-1000ft.

If you're shooting through the plastic hull, there is probably enough attenuation in the signal that it would top out at 500 ft.

-Allen

I think cleaning my connections solved my issue... I won't know for sure until I hit the water tomorrow since I can only tell so much from a "bucket test."

Crap... cleaning up my power connections didn't resolve the problem.  Humminbird wants $96 +shipping just to take a look at it and even more if I want it back quickly (i.e. before ORC).  Considering I paid $150 for it I'd rather just put that $100 towards a newer HD or DI model.

Bryce- When are you available this week?  I get off work in Everett around 3pm M-F.

PM'n