Suunto Cobra malfunction

[bigginj]

I recently dusted off my dive equipment getting ready for the upcoming dive season and found the battery in my Cobra dead. I avoided paying huge fee for a battery at authorized retailer and got one for a quarter of the price at a local electronics store. When I replaced the battery the console starts up with the time on the face like it normally does, but when turned on to set time and go through options, the computer starts a dive and keeps alarming. It sits at about 460' and will not do anything else. I tried removing the battery for a day hoping it would reset itself to no avail. I spoke with the Canadian service techs and they new exactly what I was talking about and said I could try switching the battery for another new one or send it to them for the tidy price of $300 and they would forward it off to Finland to have the guts replaced. My question is does anyone know of a trick to reset these computers? Or should I send it in? The computer is ten years old this summer, but only has 18 hours on it. I don't know whether to invest in the fix, or to buy something newer and start over. Also, advice on different models, or console/wrist mount would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[bleeb]

This sounds like the pressure sensor died, which is why the service techs knew exactly what you were talking about. If so, resetting it won't help. Supposedly, there was a large batch of pressure sensors susceptible to premature ageing. If you browse around the Computers forum, you'll see the topic comes up every now and then for different Suunto models. I *think* one or two people have gotten lucky and their pressure sensors weren't quite dead yet, and mineral buildup on the sensor was triggering the problem. Vinegar might help, but too much or too long might also be fatal for the computer.

Since you're out of warrantee, I've heard they also have some credit/replacement program because of all the bad sensors. (It's also been mentioned on here.)

 

[Hallmac]

Before doing anything else try soaking it in a bucket of hot water. Hot as you can get out of the tap and under boiling temp. Soak for about ten minutes then rinse under fresh tap water. Make sure you flush the small vents that cover the pressure sensor.

If it is salt or mineral crystals that formed you will loosen and flush them out and it will function correctly. If it continues to malfunction then replacement will be necessary.

 

[Diver0001]

It sounds a little suspicious that you replaced the battery with something other than what Suunto uses and now the computer doesn't work.

I'd be tempted to say it was the battery.

Also $300 for getting it fixed is completely unacceptable. A new one costs about $500 online and a new Gekko, which is a simpler computer but uses the same algorithm as the Cobra, costs about $250.

If I were you I would contact Suunto directly 1-800-267-7506 (press 2 and then 1 for technical support) in Canada.

R..

 

[bigginj]

the battery I bought was the same one the dive shop would have used, he was just out at the moment and told me he gets them at the same place. I did deal directly with suunto as well and they directed me to the techs in BC that service their equipment. It was them that advised me that it was $290 to fix plus shipping. I have been in contact with the only local supplier and they have told me the same computer is now $850 which i found ridiculous as I only paid $625 ten years ago. Thank you all for your suggestions

 

[NCadiver]

I think he was trying to put you in a Cobra 3 which has alot more features then Cobra.