X-85 Problem

Hi guys. I have a Lowrance x-85 that won’t power-up. It is out of warranty and Lowrance wants $99 no matter what the problem is. The x-85 is a great unit, but $100 seems steep considering I can get a brand new unit for just a few more dollars.

Anyway, I checked the battery, the fuse, the power cord, and even opened the unit up to make sure everything is connected and power is getting to the circuit board. According to my volt meter and somewhat limited diagnostic skills, the power is everywhere it should be. All the wires inside were still connected, and the entire unit looks new on the inside…

I bought the thing used and shortly thereafter it started “blinking out” while I was using it. It would just die suddenly (screen would go totally blank like you unplugged it) and I couldn’t turn it back on … then, suddenly, it would start graphing. When the thing re-started, I wouldn’t get the power-up screen, but I wouldn’t get a full screen, either. It would just start drawing a new chart from the right hand side of the screen. Now it won’t turn on at all, with or without a transducer.

I know it’s a long-shot, but has anyone here solved a similar problem or know someone who can (for less than $100)??? I’d really like to get it working again, but am hesitant to spend $100 on an older unit. Thanks.

John

Well this is a long shot…

It sounds like a bad solder joint in the display. You might be able to locate it (or at least get close) if you have the power on, have it apart and wiggle the componates.
I doubt it’s the on/off switch…because you don’t get the power up screen…it’s like it’s working…you just can’t see it.

Worst thing that could happen is it will cost you $99. or a new locator.

Otherwise…check out my favorite fishing electronics site….Jolly Ann Marine!

I own a two year old Lowrance X91. It didn’t seem to be powering up, but on closer inspection I noticed I had a
bunch of condensate moisture inside the screen, no good.
I called Lowance and made a stink about it and they agreed
to fix it for half price $49. You might want to call Lowance
back and give them a little fuss.

Do consider the X-85 is a helluva unit. You won’t replace that performance with anything else for close to $100 so the repair option does not sound that bad to me.

The absolute first thing to look for with broken electronics is a mechanical problem. Switches, connectors, stuff like that. From the intermittent nature of the problem, it sounds like a connection is loose somewhere. After looking at the switches and connectors, then take an insuilated tool (something plastic) and start probing around on the circuit board…..Gently !……push and prob on wires and components too see if it suddenly comes to life. Look for bad solder joints too. A bad solder joint will have pits and holes in it and there may be flux on it too. If you find a bad joint, just re-heat it until the solder melts. This is a cricuit board not a cold water pipe so use a small soldering iron and don’t over heat the board.

Good luck, I hope you find it!

Rootski

If you are not able to solve the problem and your not hip on paying 100 bucks to repair an older unit, you might ask Lowrance about their credit program. I’m not sure if it applies to every unit but they will give you a credit towards the purchase of a new unit for some old units. I believe you can get $75 towards the purchase of a Lowrance X125. You’d still be shelling out a couple hundred bucks but you’d have a brand new unit with the latest upgrades. Just depends on how a guy wants to spend his money. I hope you’re able to get it fixed. If not, let me know if we can help at all. Best of luck!

Hey, thanks for all the help so far. One thing that I need to clarify, though it probably doesn’t make a difference so far advice-wise, is that the problem isn’t intermittent anymore … I just plain can’t get it to turn on. I’m going to take it apart again tonight … I can’t wait to get home from work!

Thanks again, and if anyone has more help/ideas, please keep it coming!

John

P.S. My thought was to sell the broken screen (someone might buy it and fix it themself), transducer, temp. sensor, and power cord on ebay with a reserve of $75 or so … if I could get $75+ for it all, I could get a new unit for $200 and get an even-money upgrade (thinking fishmark 480). Am I crazy to think the 480 is an upgrade from the x-85? Anyway, this is for my small/duck boat, so I’m not willing to shell out any big money. Thanks one more time.

I don’t know. My 1998 X-75 is superior to my newer Garmin 240. Other than appearance I was under the impression the newer/similar Lowrance models were not much diffent in funtcion. That put’s your X-85 in the $300-400 dollar worth range. I can’t confirm since I don’t have any old catalogues handy to compare old features to the new ones. I just know that is a darn fine unit. Just trying to save you money. Whatever you do good luck. Nowadays even the low end units seem to work pretty good.

I would invest in a new unit. The X-85 is old technology, its better than nothing but you may wind up putting more money into that unit in the future. Todays units offer more resolution for less money. Also besure to check the internal fuse if it has one.

Also, make sure your connection is tight. Might sound stupid………but tripple check.

I had an old lowarance x-55. Had it in my garage over the winter……….I plugged it in and the screen would light up when I pushed the power button, but when I let go of the power button, it shut off.

I “rigged” a test light and when I pushed the power button, the test light would come on, but as soon as I let off the power button, the test light would turn off……..

I thought I “frooze” the unit in my garage over the winter…….

During the summer, I was going to throw the thing away…….But for craps and laughs, I tried one more time……….

IT WORKED!!!!!!!!

Did a little investigating and found my fusable link fuse was “rusty”. Did more testing and found that I had enough juice flowing through just to keep it light on when powered up. However, when the unit “kicked on”, it drew too much power and shut off.

Make sure that your connections are clean and solid. A “weak link” will make your unit power down, since there isn’t enough “juice” to keep it alive………..

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P.S. My thought was to sell the broken screen (someone might buy it and fix it themself), transducer, temp. sensor, and power cord on ebay with a reserve of $75 or so … if I could get $75+ for it all, I could get a new unit for $200 and get an even-money upgrade (thinking fishmark 480). Am I crazy to think the 480 is an upgrade from the x-85? Anyway, this is for my small/duck boat, so I’m not willing to shell out any big money. Thanks one more time.

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The 480 is an upgrade. I would also look at the Garmin 250 (newer release). I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback on this unit already. A nice unit for around $200.