Lowrance LMS 332C won't stay turned off! - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Small Boat Electrical
  Lowrance LMS 332C won't stay turned off!

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Lowrance LMS 332C won't stay turned off!

Marsh posted 07-09-2009 10:05 PM ET (US)
First, let me say that I have tried to contact Lowrance...couldn't get thru via phone, and so sent them an email. No response after 72 hours.
Anyhow, my GPS/sonar has recently started turning itself back on after being powered down. I've had the unit for perhaps 4 years, and never had this problem before. The unit then goes into this cycle on/cycle off pattern. I noticed it at night, or rather my neighbor did, when he saw strange flashing lights emanating from my console top. It's perplexing, and, if left unchecked, tends to drain my battery. Thus far, my fix has been to disconnect all cables into the back of the unit when returning to the dock. If I can't find a better fix, I may just re-wire it through my ACC switch on my console.
There was a thread about 3 years ago regarding the same problem, with the same model GPS, but the original poster is no longer active, and his email account is now invalid, so I am unable to tell what his ultimate solution was.
Any ideas out there?
Thanks,
Marsh

davej14 posted 07-10-2009 10:30 AM ET (US)
It would be hard to tell if this is an internal hardware or software problem. My first step would be to update the software to the latest version. This would replace the operating system in the unit in case the original is corrupted. Be sure to do the antenna first or you will lose communication with it.
I doubt that external wiring could be the problem here. I have never had my 332c come on just by turning on the main battery switch. If the software upgrade doesn't fix the problem you will probably be returning it to Lowrance for repair of some internal connection.
Nauti Tauk posted 07-10-2009 03:03 PM ET (US)
I have a four year old Lowrance 337c df that used to do the same thing and it did discharge the battery. I unhooked and removed it after each use when the unit started automatically turning on. I have since installed a battery switch and the unit is wired in with the accessories so when I turn the battery to the off position ,when through for the day, power is removed from the sonar unit. Never did find out what caused original problem. Please post remedy when you get the problem fixed.
pglein posted 07-10-2009 03:19 PM ET (US)
My GPS is wired to it's own switch on the panel which is turned off whenever the GPS is not in use. If this were to happen to my unit, it's likely that I would never even know.
Marsh posted 07-14-2009 09:49 PM ET (US)
Still no response from Lowrance...phone line continues to be busy.
Are they that busy, or out of business?
Fortunately, my malady can be fixed rather easily with an in-line switch.
Marsh
JMARTIN posted 07-15-2009 04:28 PM ET (US)
The installation book for my four year old Lowrance CDF said to wire the power through a switch when used in salt water. I did and everything works fine. John
Nauti Tauk posted 07-15-2009 08:17 PM ET (US)
I learned something else about the Lowrance LMS337c/df today that may be useful to others.When running from one fishing spot to another in my 170 Montauk, I folded up my baseball cap and placed the hat between the windshield and the back of the sonar unit. Placing anything behind the sonar unit causes it to overheat and the display will flicker and the color display distorts and malfunctions. After removing my ball cap from its traveling hideout the Lowrance returned to normal functioning after a few minutes. Hope this helps someone along the way.
Marsh posted 07-17-2009 02:39 PM ET (US)
I finally got through to Lowrance via phone...they never did respond to my email. Anyhow, their recommendation is for a complete replacement for a new unit, which they will do for a swap fee of $212.45, including shipping one way.
Sounds more than fair: a brand new unit in exchange for my 5-year-old unit that flashes on and off.
What's not to like about that!!
Marsh
Ablewis posted 07-19-2009 10:37 AM ET (US)
The few times I have had odd things go wrong with my Lowrance, a "hard reset" took care of the problem. I don't think it is even in the manual, but if you depress and hold down the "page" and "power" button it will reset. I have not had this issue with my unit, but since I am in the middle of a re-wire project, I may too add a switch
Andy

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Lowrance LMS 332C won't stay turned off!
Marsh	posted 07-09-2009 10:05 PM ET (US) First, let me say that I have tried to contact Lowrance...couldn't get thru via phone, and so sent them an email. No response after 72 hours. Anyhow, my GPS/sonar has recently started turning itself back on after being powered down. I've had the unit for perhaps 4 years, and never had this problem before. The unit then goes into this cycle on/cycle off pattern. I noticed it at night, or rather my neighbor did, when he saw strange flashing lights emanating from my console top. It's perplexing, and, if left unchecked, tends to drain my battery. Thus far, my fix has been to disconnect all cables into the back of the unit when returning to the dock. If I can't find a better fix, I may just re-wire it through my ACC switch on my console. There was a thread about 3 years ago regarding the same problem, with the same model GPS, but the original poster is no longer active, and his email account is now invalid, so I am unable to tell what his ultimate solution was. Any ideas out there? Thanks, Marsh
davej14	posted 07-10-2009 10:30 AM ET (US) It would be hard to tell if this is an internal hardware or software problem. My first step would be to update the software to the latest version. This would replace the operating system in the unit in case the original is corrupted. Be sure to do the antenna first or you will lose communication with it. I doubt that external wiring could be the problem here. I have never had my 332c come on just by turning on the main battery switch. If the software upgrade doesn't fix the problem you will probably be returning it to Lowrance for repair of some internal connection.
Nauti Tauk	posted 07-10-2009 03:03 PM ET (US) I have a four year old Lowrance 337c df that used to do the same thing and it did discharge the battery. I unhooked and removed it after each use when the unit started automatically turning on. I have since installed a battery switch and the unit is wired in with the accessories so when I turn the battery to the off position ,when through for the day, power is removed from the sonar unit. Never did find out what caused original problem. Please post remedy when you get the problem fixed.
pglein	posted 07-10-2009 03:19 PM ET (US) My GPS is wired to it's own switch on the panel which is turned off whenever the GPS is not in use. If this were to happen to my unit, it's likely that I would never even know.
Marsh	posted 07-14-2009 09:49 PM ET (US) Still no response from Lowrance...phone line continues to be busy. Are they that busy, or out of business? Fortunately, my malady can be fixed rather easily with an in-line switch. Marsh
JMARTIN	posted 07-15-2009 04:28 PM ET (US) The installation book for my four year old Lowrance CDF said to wire the power through a switch when used in salt water. I did and everything works fine. John
Nauti Tauk	posted 07-15-2009 08:17 PM ET (US) I learned something else about the Lowrance LMS337c/df today that may be useful to others.When running from one fishing spot to another in my 170 Montauk, I folded up my baseball cap and placed the hat between the windshield and the back of the sonar unit. Placing anything behind the sonar unit causes it to overheat and the display will flicker and the color display distorts and malfunctions. After removing my ball cap from its traveling hideout the Lowrance returned to normal functioning after a few minutes. Hope this helps someone along the way.
Marsh	posted 07-17-2009 02:39 PM ET (US) I finally got through to Lowrance via phone...they never did respond to my email. Anyhow, their recommendation is for a complete replacement for a new unit, which they will do for a swap fee of $212.45, including shipping one way. Sounds more than fair: a brand new unit in exchange for my 5-year-old unit that flashes on and off. What's not to like about that!! Marsh
Ablewis	posted 07-19-2009 10:37 AM ET (US) The few times I have had odd things go wrong with my Lowrance, a "hard reset" took care of the problem. I don't think it is even in the manual, but if you depress and hold down the "page" and "power" button it will reset. I have not had this issue with my unit, but since I am in the middle of a re-wire project, I may too add a switch Andy