lowrance headache !!!!!!!

Post by **patience** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:41 pm

ok folks
before I lose my mind and throw my sonar in the trash
I have a "LOWRANCE LMS 332C " the problem is that the unit keeps shutting down and recently gone to a blank white screen with"boot failed" on it
before I properly boot it , anyone had similar issues ? opinions ? advice ?
I've taken the unit to lowrance , they said it's fine. I've rewired it so many times, so many different ways I could do it in my sleep.
thank you

Post by **CNs** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:02 am

Need some more info:

1) have you wired it up with the supplied in line fuse?

2) what battery are you using to power it. (trolling motor? Cranking Battery, seperate battery)

3) how old is the battery?

4) what are you doing to the unit when it powers down - accessing menus, adjusting some settings - nothing...)

5) when do the shutdowns occur? trolling, running @wot, just fishing...

6) have you upgraded the firn=mware properly? according to LOWRANCE instructions via the website? If you have upgraded did it work properly?

7) what version are you running.

when you say you've taken your unit to Lowrance was that an authorized service center or back to your dealer?

As a last thought if it ain't working so great now re-boot it according to the manual.

to do a reset:

Soft reset (does not delete GPS data) - Turn off unit, press & hold PAGES button, press & hold POWER button.

Hard reset (deletes stored GOS data such as trails and waypoints) - Turn off unit, press & hold ZIN & ZOUT together, press & hold POWER button.

you might also check out some user forums

do a google search on Lowrance forums.

Post by **mikemicropterus** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:12 pm

I have seen more than a few units turn off for no reason, atfer about a year or so the fuse starts to ocrrode in the fuse holder causing resistance and occasionally shutting down the unit. Specifically the glass fuses. Especially if Lowrance has said the unit is ok. Check the fuse and holder for corrosion

Post by **patience** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:10 am

done everything. changed the fuse, rewired at least a half a dozen times.
last evening , sitting in my gararge, turned it on and waited. 7 minutes later it started screwing up . unhooked it and rewired it to my deep cell, 10 minutes later it started screwing up.spoke with lowrance again, they suggested that I drop the unit off again, they will check it again and probably replace it . how very nice. and only for about $280!!!!!! depending on it's warranty(which of course has expired)you would think that when you spend over $800 on a sonar unit , it would last more than 2 1/2 seasons. not including the fact that the unit started acting up in it's 2nd season.buyer beware!!!!!

Post by **walleyemen** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:52 pm

I had some similaiar problems with mine, too k the head unit back twice and was replaced same problem as before, did so hunting around and foundthat were the tranducer and power wire come though the dash and under the bracket the wires were pinched, worked great for about a year when it was new then i found this problem, look for any pinched, bent, bare wiring, i'm sure you will find this may or not be the problem.By bracket i mean the gimble mount, i replaced the transducer wiring and have not had a problem since.

Post by **Badger Shark** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:28 pm

I have had problems with my Lowrance since I bought it. Turns out my transducer was the problem, I bought new one and it seems to be working now. I also move all wiring away from any boat wiring because of interference I was getting. My unit is still under warrenty but who knows how long it will take to get it sent and returned .

Post by **walleyemen** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:27 am

If you live in the niagara area or toronto area, you can take it to missisaga, to there main repair and sales office, go in person and they will take care of you, best service around, spaek with Lawrence and he will get ya fixed up.

Post by **patience** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:09 am

I can't understand how a transducer line would turn off a unit , but since I have tried evrything else I might as well take another look at that.
Thanks for the input.

Post by **patience** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:09 am

I can't understand how a transducer line would turn off a unit , but since I have tried evrything else I might as well take another look at that.
Thanks for the input.

Post by **patience** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:10 am

I can't understand how a transducer line would turn off a unit , but since I have tried evrything else I might as well take another look at that.
Thanks for the input.

Post by **patience** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:10 am

I can't understand how a transducer line would turn off a unit , but since I have tried evrything else I might as well take another look at that.
Thanks for the input.

Post by **patience** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:00 pm

quick question for wallemen.
you said you changed a power cable, I'm guessing that you were talking about the "power/data" cable. that is my next step in this adventure.Credit where credit is due, the folks at lowrance are not my issue , they've been good. Dino ran my unit for several hours without a problem . C

Post by **patience** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:02 pm

quick question for wallemen.
you said you changed a power cable, I'm guessing that you were talking about the "power/data" cable. that is my next step in this adventure.Credit where credit is due, the folks at lowrance are not my issue , they've been good. Dino ran my unit for several hours without a problem . Can only hope this cable is the problem, and it's up and running.Too close to big fish season to start watching tv and doing chores.

Post by **Mr.J.** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:51 am

patience wrote:I can't understand how a transducer line would turn off a unit , but since I have tried evrything else I might as well take another look at that.
Thanks for the input.

Turn your unit on without the transdicer hooked up....it goes straight into demo mode. So yes it is possible the transducer can turn the unit off.

Post by **walleyemen** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:05 pm

Hope all goes well for you, over thinking this stuff can really be a headache and one tends to over look the ovious, trust me i did, i was messing around for about 2 months with many triips to lowrance, the answer to your question is yes i replaced all the cable, and then later took them back to lowrance and was credited for them, you have to understand unless they have all the componates to the unit they cannot really pin point your problem, taking a boat there will cost you there labour to take it out, expensive , or remove it yourself and inspect it visually and or have them test it, which is time comsuming but less expensive, but when it is all said and done it will be cheaper than purchasing a new unit and installing it.