Looking for a sparky willing to take a crack at fixing sonar unit

[h8go4s]

My Garmin Fishfinder 240 will no longer power up. When I press the power button nothing happens. No beep, no screen, no backlight. I removed the back cover and I have 12.5 volts to the connector on the back of the circuit board so it's a failure somewhere past that. I haven't removed the circuit board from the unit.

There has been something rattling inside for a few years. When I opened it up, two small screws fell out. I found where they went and replaced them, but no change. They might have shorted something, but I don't see anything obvious.

I tried Fish Lectronics and they suggested Garmin. Garmin no longer repairs this unit as parts are not available. I think it's a 1998 vintage. I have requested a schematic from Garmin, but haven't gotten a reply yet.

Anyone willing to look at this? I'd like to get it fixed because I've also invested in a US2 cable for my Minn Kota and a transducer for ice fishing. If this unit's junk, so are those items. Compensation negotiable.

Ron

[Surface Tension]

Get yourself a magnify glass and look close at the traces on the circuit board for an open. When you find one jump or solder it.

Look at the components for bad solder joints and re solder them. Look for burnt components, find one remove it and get another.

Other then your not going to find a schematic.

[mabr]

Also might want to look on C list seen a few on there on occasion or look up bass boat central and go to the for sale section under electronics.

[Ed Carlson]

Something to consider is you can get a new Color Garmin that will work with all those items you purchased already, for $205 to $290.

So weigh the cost to repair that old B&W Garmin unit to just upgrading to a newer and better color model. There are some very good deals out there on 300 and 400 series graphs from Garmin. I recommend you look into them.

I personally do not see the likely cost of repairing it as cost effective when new will likely run you about the same cost or less in the end...plus you have a new warranty to work with.

[chris63]

Thirteen years of service.Not to bad especially if you've used the unit ice fishing too.The cold variation really takes a toll on electronics.Bouncing around in a portable Fish House at 40mph across Mille Lacs isn't good either.After all we do live in a throw away society now.Good luck with getting it repaired or your new purchase.c63

[Markerboy1]

If it's like the Lowrance I had I would check the power into the switch and out from the switch. I would be willing to bet with the time you have on the unit that the switch is bad if the fuse has not pop.