Humminbird / Garmin Prob - Transducer?????

[HHbassman]

I am having a problem troubleshooting a problem with my Fish Finder. Humminbird tech support was minimal help stating that they haven't heard of others with the same issue. My Marina guys were also scratching their heads. Any insight/opinions would be appreciated.

Hummingbird 383C Fish Finder with GPS and Temp

Background:
The device worked fine for 5 seasons.
The boat went in the water this spring in May.
Humminbird worked fine for about a week.
So the second week in we noticed that the temperature and depth readings were very inaccurate and fluctuating frequently.
Depth might read an accurate 10ft and without moving jump to 1 ft. Temp would read from 60 - 170 degrees F.

GPS speed and course reading all fine. Volts reads fine.

This makes me believe it's the transducer. Physical inspection of the transducer shows no dings or shift in placement (under the back right tube).

A new transducer costs about $75 +Shipping. Before investing in that, I was hoping for some insight here as Hummingbird and Marina are coming up short. Not much I could find using Google either. I would hate to buy the new transducer and then have to turn around and replace the whole Fish Finder.

Anyone see this wacky behavior before?
All comments appreciated.
Thanks,
-Herb aka DeepShallowColdHot

[justrfb]

Hello Herb.
Before you get the new transducer... Check your wire harness and connector from your transducer (and power...) to your unit. I have a Garmin and have no experience with Hummingbird but I do have experience with a bad wire harness and connector. I had pins (well, sockets as it was the female side of the connector) that were dead shorting to each other. Good luck...

Sincerely,
Rich

[RcgTexas]

I have had problems with my humminbird transducer when I got up to speed but it had been bumped and was not reading correctly. At speed the depth would fluctuate. may not be your problem but just a note.

Could be a bad transducer, they are electronic after all.

[toakley1]

I've had to replace my Humminbird transducer about every 2 to 3 years. Our boat is in the water year round. It starts to short out and get flakey after a couple of years. The temperature gauge goes first and then the depth finder goes a little later.

[HHbassman]

Thanks everyone! First order of business will be to check the wiring harness and then if that doesn't do it, a new transducer will get ordered pronto! I'll circle back after the final resolution.