2D sonar works intermittently

[Muz]

Helix 10 G4N at the console. Shoot thru hull transducer. Worked great for 18 months, now it's intermittent.
Sometimes I can go 5 days and its fine. Other days it is in and out every few mins
Can even start showing bottom in 100ft of water at 40mph out of the blue.

I also get random messages on my other Helix unit at the console (GPS unit only)
-"2D sonar source lost. Switch to 230204.....?"
-"DI sonar source lost. Switch to 230204.....?"
-"TEMP1 source lost. Switch to 221212......?"
-"GPS Source lost. Switch to local?"

Is all of this related?
Can a buggered transducer be intermittent?

Thanks in a advance....

[OK_BassBum]

Need more setup Info. How many units, DI /SI, Networked, to a switch, where are the transducers.

[Muz]

Helix 10 MSI at console with the shoot thru hull and MSI transducer on the back
Helix 10 GPS only at console
Helix 12 up front connected to Ultrex

Networked through 5 port ethernet hub

[OK_BassBum]

Ok, if your getting those messages. Your unit is looking for those transducers. If it wants to switch to another transducer its a intermittent transducer, or it's a bad connection. Make sure your helix quick connects are getting home. You may need to check the 2d when it goes south. Switch to the 2d on the ultrex. If you can't get that then you might have to unplug from the y cable and plug in the msi transducer. (more work)
Good Luck! And if they are only 1.5 years old, there is warranty.

[Muz]

I have changed out my Y cable, no change. Tried the bow unit plugged in to the console connection (prove that the head unit is ok), no change. When I lose the 2d it still shows connected.

My bow unit had a message the other day that said "MSI lost" which it obviously gets from the console unit.

Would the 5 port box cause all of this?

[SLYDoggie]

I have changed out my Y cable, no change. Tried the bow unit plugged in to the console connection (prove that the head unit is ok), no change. When I lose the 2d it still shows connected.

My bow unit had a message the other day that said "MSI lost" which it obviously gets from the console unit.

Would the 5 port box cause all of this?

Yes, those all sound like networking issues. I would go through step-by-step troubleshooting to check out the ethernet cable and port.

[Muz]

The 2d transducer to the Y to the head unit shouldn't be affected by the 5 port though correct?

[Wayne P.]

The 2d transducer to the Y to the head unit shouldn't be affected by the 5 port though correct?

No, not the unit the transducer is connected to.

[Muz]

Then I believe Im dealing with two separate issues.

Bad 2d transducer
Network issues

Unless someone can confirm that my transducer might be ok because it reads intermittently. Assuming it would never read if it is cooked

[Wayne P.]

Then I believe Im dealing with two separate issues.

Bad 2d transducer
Network issues

Unless someone can confirm that my transducer might be ok because it reads intermittently. Assuming it would never read if it is cooked

Could be another issue==poor installation of the shoot-thru transducer.

[Muz]

Could be another issue==poor installation of the shoot-thru transducer.

That’s a thought but it worked perfect for 18 months. ����*♂️

Should I be able to manually swith to my MSI transducer and get a bottom reading if Im not on step?

[Wayne P.]

That’s a thought but it worked perfect for 18 months. ����*♂️

Should I be able to manually swith to my MSI transducer and get a bottom reading if Im not on step?

Shoot-thru transducers can come lose due to hull flex.

There is no menu setting to switch between the shoot-thru and 2D in the SI transducer. The 2D piezo in the SI transducer is not even electrically connected (no wires).

The only manually you can do is disconnect the Y cable from the display, disconnect the SI transducer from the Y cable and connect the SI transducer directly to the display.

One more thing, if you did not fully insert the transducer plug into the Y cable plug, it can come lose. They have to lock together, not just be inserted.

[Muz]

Shoot-thru transducers can come lose due to hull flex.

There is no menu setting to switch between the shoot-thru and 2D in the SI transducer. The 2D piezo in the SI transducer is not even electrically connected (no wires).

The only manually you can do is disconnect the Y cable from the display, disconnect the SI transducer from the Y cable and connect the SI transducer directly to the display.

One more thing, if you did not fully insert the transducer plug into the Y cable plug, it can come lose. They have to lock together, not just be inserted.

Man I hope it's as simple as that....not locked in

[Wayne P.]

Man I hope it's as simple as that....not locked in

Look at the plugs:
The transducer plugs have two square holes in them.
The Y cable plugs have two tabs in them.
The plugs have to be connected so the tabs lock into the square holes.

[Muz]

They are locked….