GARMIN EchoMAP 50s Ticking and buzzing

[Grant Brown]

My Garmin EchoMAP 50s I bought 1.5 years ago is suffering some sort of problem that is causing a high frequency ticking or buzzing sound. The sonar no longer consistently holds a lock on bottom and flashes the last known depth intermittently.
The transducer is an Airmar P66 Dual frequency. Does anyone have any idea if this is the head unit going bad or the transducer?
Thanks
Grant

 

[Grub54891]

I'd say the ducer myself. If a buddy has the same ducer, try that one. You can contact Garmin and ask them if you want.

 

[dingbat]

Ticking / buzzing / flashing depth all point to a dying transducer.

 

[Grant Brown]

I called Garmin and they suggested 2 things: 1) updating the firmware on the head unit and 2) unplugging the transducer to see if it stops buzzing and ticking.
I unplugged the transducer and yes it stopped the noise. The next operation is the firmware update. Just got to find an micro SD card and adapter somewhere.
Grant

 

[dingbat]

You found the problem when you unhooked the transducer. The ticking is a "clip" of the pulse generator caused by a fault in the transducer.

A software update isn't going to fix the issue.....time for new transducer