Need help on older 2002 263 DEPTH FINDER - not working right

[Start_Driver]

Hello ervybody!

The boat is back from winter storage, not yet in the water but at least sitting in my driveway

Took a look at the sonar sensor, but it looks like it kind of is "solid" clued to the hull?
(Sorry for the "dirt" in the pcitures, I had a problem with the sealing of the steering "bolt" last season, and therfore some water in the bilge, and seems this spot is so hard to reach I didn`t clean that so far ... )

Anyhow, can seem to see a way to "open" that to fill in any anti freeze?

Any sugestions?

[Big Block Power]

Hard to tell from that picture. But it just kind of push down and turns.

[AsLan7]

Hello ervybody!

The boat is back from winter storage, not yet in the water but at least sitting in my driveway

Took a look at the sonar sensor, but it looks like it kind of is "solid" clued to the hull?
(Sorry for the "dirt" in the pcitures, I had a problem with the sealing of the steering "bolt" last season, and therfore some water in the bilge, and seems this spot is so hard to reach I didn`t clean that so far ... )

Anyhow, can seem to see a way to "open" that to fill in any anti freeze?

Any sugestions?

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That looks a little different from the one I posted with pictures. Mine just turns to "unlock" it from the base.

Is there anyway to clean that up a little to be able to diagnose? These thru the hull sounders need liquid to "shoot" thru, otherwise they give inaccurate or an error message during depth sounding operations.
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[Start_Driver]

I will try to clean it up and get some more pics.
But maybe they just put it in "liquid epoxi resin" at the time of instalation and let that harden?
(The yellow material on the bottom looks a little bit like that?!)

Could that have worked?

[Start_Driver]

So, I went outside and cleaned it up some.
(it is really hard to reach down there!)

I took some pictures, it really looks (and by touching it it also fells like) it has been solidly filled in with epoxy?!

The other thing I noticed:
It is not facing "straight down" but the surface ist on a certain angel, so even if it would give some readings, due to the angel it would show more water depth then der really is?!

Anyway, so solve my problem it seems adding up coolant is not the solution, because the sensore is "rigidly" clued in?

So i probably need to replace the sensor?

Any recomendations where to get one or witch type?
Could I also add one of those sensors that attach to the outside of the boat?

[Big Block Power]

Yea see is has a Angle built into it. Lol at faria look at hummingbird or go with a chart plotter. It's upgrade time baby!

[AsLan7]

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After looking at that sensor cleaned up, it is definitely a replacement of the OEM unit. (Kind of a sloppy job too imho). They rigidly mounted it and if that sensor is bad, the entire unit will need replaced.

Like bbp mentioned, look at Hummingbird or Faria. Faria was the OEM standard with this year’s Cobalt model. Unfortunately you can’t find that single reading Faria unit anymore. Newer ones are all combined with temperature and depth (and sometimes speed).

You may be able to tie in the depth sounder with your current depth gauge but I have no experience doing that.
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[Bfun220]

Looks to me that someone installed a Humminbird XP 9 20 T Puck Transducer. I'm not sure but I think this might work as a replacement.

[Start_Driver]

Thanks for your answers!

Problem is: I don`t want an extra "Instrument" added to the dash (even though I normaly like "upgrades" but in this case I want to keep the original look ....)
So I have to start a deeper look in the replacement of the transducer .....

[cmattj]

Couldn’t we just replace it? It apears to be available through Hummingbird. ?
Or just hand a single beam off the transom. I’d give them a buzz and ask as you aren’t the only one having to replace this.

[Bfun220]

Couldn’t we just replace it? It apears to be available through Hummingbird. ?
Or just hand a single beam off the transom. I’d give them a buzz and ask as you aren’t the only one having to replace this.

That hummingbird is only good for 15 degrees. So you might want something else

[Start_Driver]

Couldn’t we just replace it? It apears to be available through Hummingbird. ?
Or just hand a single beam off the transom. I’d give them a buzz and ask as you aren’t the only one having to replace this.

That Looks exactly like the part that I have in the boat?!
So it seems that this "Epoxy filled part" actually comes like this from the manufacturer?!

[Michaeljrak]

OMG thanks everyone for this. I was losing my mind trying to figure it out. The owners manual says to contact your dealer. LoL. Yah right... Same guys that did the VCR clocks... Mike

[AsLan7]

OMG thanks everyone for this. I was losing my mind trying to figure it out. The owners manual says to contact your dealer. LoL. Yah right... Same guys that did the VCR clocks... Mike

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So glad you found us MJ…

VCR Clocks. lol.

And welcome aboard mate.

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