Need help with a LMS 332 !

[Whopper Stopper]

I have a LMS 332 C locator that is a little over a year old. It has worked great and the screen shows very good detail. Yesterday all that changed. I turned it on and the first thing I noticed was the screen was very fuzzy and it no longer showed any bottom detail (it worked fine the three other times out this year). It also is sporadic in showing depth. I can be in 6 feet of water and all of a sudden it will show 1.9 - 2 foot. Then back to 6 feet but without any decent bottom content reading. I have taken it off and put it on 4 times trying to see if I maybe screwed something up or maybe didn't have the plugs seated fully on the back of the unit. Last night I took the boat over to the neighbor and he looked it over. The first thing he noticed was that the transducer on the back does not give a consistent tap, tap, tap as it sends it's signal. It sounds more like a horse galloping . He has the 334 version so we listened to his. The 334 gives a consistent tap, tap, tap tap, and increases and decreases as the ping is set. Also on mine the map card quit working. It shows the lake but no longer does it show the depths. I put a second card in that I have and that one works fine. I put the one from the 332 in the i finder and it does not work in it either. So now I don't know if everything is related ( meaning did the 332 screw up the card) or if the card is a separate fluke. The 332 and 334 are already obsolete and no longer shown on the Lorance site. I was just wondering if anyone had anything to add that may get me back to fishing. Is the problem I am having the Locator or the transducer? If I send it in to Lorance will I have it back by the end of the Summer or am I doomed? Does anyone else work on them besides Lorance? Well thanks for listening, needless to say it is very disappointing.

WS

[jipper]

You might want to call jack at actions fishing in anoka... I don't know his #.... But I do know he sells them and could help you....

[jigginjerk]

I had a problem with my 334 where the main menu wouldn't load. I did a reset on it and it fixed the problem. You shouldn't lose any waypoints doing this. When you turn it on hold down the pages button and then press and hold the power button down till the US base map shows up and then release both buttons. It's worth a try before you send it in. That will reset to factory settings. Theres also a complete reset where you lose all settings and waypoints. That can be found on the self help area on the lowrance site. Good Luck!

[Whopper Stopper]

Thanks for the company name and the reset tip. I already tried the total reset and luck wasn't on my side. Just gets frustrating when something a year old is already outdated. Welcome to electronics.

[backlash 1]

You probably need a new transducer. I just went thru the same thing with mine.

Call Lowrance service and they will probably send you a new one N/C

[iffwalleyes]

The transducer sounds bad all. Although I had the same thing happen last year with a X-71. I tried using in on a different transucer first and it didn't work there either so I assume the unit is self was bad. I got myself a 332 this year to replace it and it works like a champ on the same transducer. I would find someone with that knows they have a transducer that works and head out on the water and hook your unit up and see if it still does it. If it does you know your unit is bad and you need to get ahold of Lowrance. If it works then you have to get a new Transducer which is a fairly chip fix.

[WalleyeWarrior]

I also have this unit and, at times, it will lose it's signal. It'll go from the actual depth and escalate to say 150 ft. It will only start working correctly if I shut it off and then restart it. Even then, oftentimes it will stay at zero feet for a couple minutes, before settling in on the proper depth. Any ideas on why this happens? Am I getting interference from my motor? I could see this as the case if it only happened when I was going full speed, but oftentimes it'll happen after I've come to a complete stop. Any ideas? Thanks for any advice.

[mamohr686]

Walleyewarrior,

The problems your describing come from a weak signal from the transducer. Interference usually will show up as vertical lines that are intermittent and only show up when the motor is running. You may want to check out the sensitivity, it you have it on manual you need to move it up. Your problem can also be caused by a bad transducer angle. If it is not running parallel to the bottom you can loose signal easily, esp when in shallow water. If you have the transucer epoxied in a fiberglass hull, you may need to buy another transducer and try another location. It's best to try find the best transducer location on the water, and mark it before you mount it permanently in your boat. Air pockets and running strakes in the fiberglas layers can cause a weak signal or you could just have a bad transducer.

[marine_man]

Quote:

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He has the 334 version so we listened to his.

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If he has one you should try and hook your unit up to his and see if that resolves the issue. If so, it's the transudcer. If not, it's the unit or something in your wiring / connections.

marine_man

[Whopper Stopper]

I hooked mine up to his last night and by all indications it would appear that it must be my transducer. I called Lorance today and they are sending a new one and I will see if that ends the problems. I do have another question though.....How come when sitting on the cement garage floor the transducer makes a consistent tap, tap, tap. But when I hold my hand underneath it about 12" the transducer slows way down and even stops for awhile? I thought this seemed odd. This was my locator hooked to the neighbors transducer. I was just wondering. Anyway thanks everyone for the help! I hope it is about to end.

WS

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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How come when sitting on the cement garage floor the transducer makes a consistent tap, tap, tap.

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Thats normal.