Gen 3 Helix 9 Transducer Trouble

I bought a new Helix Mega 9 Gen 3 SI DI GPS back in March. Since work has been so hectic, I haven't got to use it but maybe 3 trips and it has performed flawless. Then I went last night and the unit would not read any depth in any mode. It shows a message across top of screen that the transducer is not connected. I have checked everything and it is all perfect appearance wise. No nicks or cuts, have not bumped transducer on anything. All fuses are as required and all good. Even tried removing the cords from the plastic lock-in mechanism to no avail.
Any ideas about this. I'm thinking it is the transducer gone bad sitting in the garage.? The unit shows good in test mode and map system all working properly. I'm still under warranty but thought I might be overlooking something?
Thanks,
TerryD

First make sure you didn't turn off sonar in your settings then next try doing the factory default reset to set it back to original factory setting. Next thing if that not working is to find someone that has a unit like yours and see if it works with there transducer. Also check all of the transducer wire to make sure that a rat has not made a meal on the transducer wire. Hope this was some help please let us know if. how and when you get it fixed to help others also with a problem like this.

Scrat,
Thanks for the advise. I have checked settings, went back to factory default, and checked cable to transducer. Everything looks as new. Still says transducer not connected. Since I don't know anyone local with same unit, I'm going to contact Humminbird and see where it goes. Hopefully they will replaced transducer and I'll be back in business.

Sounds like you are gonna need another unit to test with your transducer to see if it is bad .... or another transducer to test with.

If you don't have either .... better give Humminbird a call.

Had some time this evening to go back and check out my transducer and unit. I removed the cords from the plastic mechanism that locks onto back of unit. Then I applied a small dab of dielectric grease to the inlets on back of unit. Plugged up and everything is fine. I then reinserted cords into lock mechanism and reconnected. Everything worked fine!
For the life of me, I can't figure this out. I keep the unit in a dry box with foam liner when not on the water, and my boat stays inside a closed garage when not being used. I've not been fishing in any rain so everything should be dry and clean. No corrosion is visible as I checked with a good light. For some reason, I think the unit was just not making a good connection. Hopefully will be smooth sailing ahead. Will post if I have any more trouble with it....

Terry I have seen cases where the plug wouldn’t be properly seated in the holder. When installing it to unit that plug would push back just enough where it couldn’t make contact.


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Good to hear you figured the problem out. Thanks for letting us know your problem and how it was fixed as this can help me and others know what to look for when having the same type problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cray

Terry I have seen cases where the plug wouldn’t be properly seated in the holder. When installing it to unit that plug would push back just enough where it couldn’t make contact.


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Cray, I think that is what was going on. As stated earlier, it worked flawless the first few trips. The cords will only go in and work one way and all of that looked to be fine when disassembled. If I have further problems, I'm going to look at some way to maybe shim the plugs out a little tighter. Don't know if that's possible as they are a pretty snug fit. Hopefully, no more trouble!