Smart craft depth no reading depth

S

SeaRay Jay

New Member
Jul 11, 2009
10
Lake city,SC
Boat Info
260 Sundancer 2004
Engines
5.0 mercruiser b3
Ok need help once again 2007 260 took out for the first time this yr. All smartcraft meters are working except my depthfinder. Can someone tell me what I need to check to see where the problem is. thanks again
 
If the bottom was painted, check to see if the transducer was painted too,

if so you can remove it without pulling the boat if you have
the "dummie" plug to replace it so that you can scrap the paint off it.
 
Ditto, mine was inadvertently bottom painted by MM before I took delivery last year. Depth and sea water temperature (178 deg) readings were both way off. Removed and cleaned it and it was good to go.
 
Is your sea water temperature reading working? The transducer reads both depth and water temperature. If you are getting a temperature reading then it is likely your transducer is bad. The transducer is right in front of the engine in the center of the hull. If you want you can trace the wire from the transducer to where it is plugged into the smartcraft harness (it is connected at the top of the engine right in the front). Unplug it and then plug it back in to see if that gets it to work. If it doesn't you will have to replace the transducer. Be aware these things are over $300 at the dealer. I also have to replace mine since the sea water temperature reading on mine is way off.

Dave
 
Dave,

Yes all other readings are workingincluding sea temp just the depth. I will unplug and check
 
On my 2007 260 I experience intermittent errors with my depth gauge. It will work fine one minute then start a shallow warning the next. Water temp works fine. Boat was also bottom painted before I bought it.

Could this be the same issue?
 
Scotto97 said:
On my 2007 260 I experience intermittent errors with my depth gauge. It will work fine one minute then start a shallow warning the next. Water temp works fine. Boat was also bottom painted before I bought it.

Could this be the same issue?
Click to expand...

Has it always done that? In troubleshooting my transducer (for temp) I found that for some reason these transducers tend to have a short life before acting up. Usually has to do with Sea Temp but could be depth too.

Good News= Easy Fix
Bad News= Expensive Part

Must have been designed by the same guy that did the IAC Valves :smt021
 
burwellj78 said:
Has it always done that? In troubleshooting my transducer (for temp) I found that for some reason these transducers tend to have a short life before acting up. Usually has to do with Sea Temp but could be depth too.

Good News= Easy Fix
Bad News= Expensive Part

Must have been designed by the same guy that did the IAC Valves :smt021
Click to expand...

Last year was my first with the boat. Works fine 90% of the time but freaks me out when the shallow alarm goes off in the middle of a lake at 30 mph. I always have my Lowrance on as well so I'm not sure I'll spent the $300 soon if it needs to be replaced.

How would you recommend I check it out? Look for a loose harness? Go underneath and see if it was painted by accident?
 
Can you unscrew the transducer while it is in the water and put the plug in without the boat sinking?
 
Last edited:
I have similar problem. Just had the distributor cap and water psi sensor replaced and the bottom power washed. Next time I take the boat out the depth finder and water temp don't show up on the Smartcraft readings. Did a master reset but no help. The odd thing is the depth and water temp don't even show up on the SC. If they showed up and had faulty readings, then maybe it may be the transducer.

Any suggestions?
 
I'm on my third, these things are crap. Bite the bullet & replace. When I buy my next chartplotter I am going to install a new transom mount transducer and be done with this one. BTW, you can change it with the boat in the water, u you better be quick and not crossthread it.

1 of MM2406846 - Mercury SmartCraft Depth /Temp Sensor Part Number 888828A12 Mercury SmartCraft Depth /Temp Sensor Part Number 888828A12 Mercury SmartCraft Depth /Temp Sensor Part Number 888828A12 @ $246.33ea.


Subtotal: $246.33

Shipping: $11.97 via UPS Ground est. Delivery: Nov 04,2010 to Nov 08,2010

Sales Tax: $0.00

Total Amt: $258.30

boatpartsmerc.wss-pro.com
2605 N 43rd St STE 2
Tampa, FL 33605
1-888-999-0213
 
Last edited:
I have a 79-8M0075629 replacement thru-hull transducer for sale. Used but works perfect. The tag says: Smart IDT-P17, 235 kHz-C, PN: 44-031-2-01, Customer part #888828. Also known as DT 800. Will ship for $150. PM me.
 
I have the same problem with my 2007 38DA. How can I find out what part# is correct so that I can order one?
 
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