New member, old cobalt

[Foxcroft007]

Hello. I’ve owned my 2004 Cobalt since new...but I’m new to this forum. It is my first boat and has been a great boat. To this day it looks brand new. I do have some odd issues I am trying to sort out...the tach quit a couple of years ago, Recently the depth sounder started acting oddly and he stereo remote quit. Other than that, everything works and is in great shape.

Through the yeas I’ve had very few problems. Like most of you I’m on the anal side taking care of thing. I did have the long block replace out of warranty but mercury picked that up as I kept detailed logs of oil consumption. I’ve had to replace a couple of those flat distributor cap because they tend to crack and you get some surging issues but that’s it.

I actually cam here trying to find a solution to my tach and depth sounder issues.

Another topic...I want to add 6.5” speakers to the transom. Anyone done that and have any advice?

I’ll have to search to see how to add a pic.

[Foxcroft007]

Figured out how to add pictures...pretty easy...but...no idea why it rotated second picture

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[AsLan7]

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Hey fox007. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

Great color combo on that Cobalt. Thanks for posting pics.

I rotated the second pic for ya'.
If you screenshot a pic or take a pic in landscape mode they will both upload correctly. Portrait mode is hit or miss right now.

Check your depth finder fluid. It may need a top off....especially if you see it flashing. Also check out this thread and this thread regarding depth finder solutions.

Tach is normally a loose wire or grounding issue. Check under the dash to see if anything is loose. Of course circuit breakers and fuses are the first thing to check with anything electrical....especially if you see NO power at all. Normally Faria is the tach manufacturer for these boats. You may be able to find a used one on eBay. Also check that the switch on the back of the tach is set to 8 cylinders. It probably is but it does not hurt to check. Any interior pics?

Stereo remotes can be finicky depending on their use. Sometimes it's just a button that will not function or a reset somewhere. Other times it is compatibility issues (like a Sony remote with a new head unit). Do any of your buttons work. Have you checked the connection? Have you changed out your head unit?

Others will chime in shortly.

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[Foxcroft007]

Thanks for the tips. Some more detail...I forgot the obvious...it is a cobalt 220. Bravo I mercury mag350 mpi

[AsLan7]

Thanks for the tips. Some more detail...I forgot the obvious...it is a cobalt 220. Bravo I mercury mag350 mpi

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Sure.
How about the other questions?

[Foxcroft007]

I’ll need to go check the wires. I’ve heard of the fluid in the depth sounder but I think my boat is too old. I don’t have a puck...it’s more like a little whit plastic probe.

At any rate...a pic of the interior with replacement carpet.

[akorcovelos]

BEBA2A78-5FE8-45D7-99A3-E755CECE63C9.jpeg

Your isn’t too old for the puck, my ‘96 has one.


Beautiful 220, love the red piping on the seats.

[Big Block Power]

Welcome. Great looking 220.
I'm not sure you can fit diskettes back there but maybe. Ask you have to do is cut 2 big holes. Easy Peezy.
So it looks like you are missing the 2 frt poles for your binimi. Also hard to tell on the rear ones as well. Is that a factory binimi?

I like the seagrass you added.

[Foxcroft007]

You caught me. I get lazy when on the hook and use a short line to tie Bimini to mid cleat. Much easier than using the poles. I do have them.

I’ll have to look more carefully for the depth puck. I’m pretty sure that I don’t have them but will check.

[Big Block Power]

You caught me. I get lazy when on the hook and use a short line to tie Bimini to mid cleat. Much easier than using the poles. I do have them.

I’ll have to look more carefully for the depth puck. I’m pretty sure that I don’t have them but will check.

Yes you have the Puck if you have the factory depth finder. Starboard side of the engine 3/4 of the way to the frt of the engine in the bilge. No more being lazy.

[Ytmsn]

Welcome from Oklahoma! Your boat looks awesome! And yes, you'll have a puck. My '03 240 had one, and so does my '01 262.

[Foxcroft007]

I thought I’d provide an update...thanks for all the advice...I was able to fix 2 of 3 problems I’ve been having. The depth sounder...yup, I found the “puck” and sure enough it was empty. I got some rv coolant and it started working right away...what genius but that under the motor where it is almost impossible to reach and/or service? Item number 2 was the Sony remote commander at the helm. Complete mystery initially...all wiring appeared fine. A little YouTube later and I discovered that my steering wheel control had gotten reset on my head unit. Again...quick fix.

I did fail with the tach not working. There were some loose connections but that didn’t resolve the issue. I’m going to check continuity and ground this weekend, but I suspect I need a new tach. I’m pretty sure it will be impossible to get a matching tach. Has anyone upgraded to smart gauges? Wonder how that would look. At any rate...pretty successful and a great weekend on the water.

Again...thanks for the help!

[Big Block Power]

You can send your tach to faria and they will fix it for about $75.00