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What kind of voltage do you measure coming into the relay? How about the voltage leaving the relay measured at the relay? Is it the same voltage measured at the Garmins?

I just went to put my multimeter on it and the batteries in my multimeter are dead.....to be continued....Ill readdress tomorrow when I get time and let you knjow the voltages

I might be jumping the gun, but it makes me wonder if my batteries are too low to boot up the screens. They start the boat just fine and it cranks right up, so the other part of me thinks its not the batteries either....

There are 2 identical relays beneath the helm. Did you replace both? Only one controls both Garmins, but maybe you replaced the other one?

greenhut wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2024 12:56 pm There are 2 identical relays beneath the helm. Did you replace both? Only one controls both Garmins, but maybe you replaced the other one?

Yeah I replaced both. I’m losing my mind trying to figure it out. I’m hoping it’s just my batteries are weak and it’s not getting the right voltage to crank up.

If it cranks up your engine, It's not your batteries.

Use your multimeter and check the voltage at the plug going into the Garmin. You will have to disconnect the plug to check.

bruceb58 wrote: Sat Aug 24, 2024 11:09 am If it cranks up your engine, It's not your batteries.

Use your multimeter and check the voltage at the plug going into the Garmin. You will have to disconnect the plug to check.

Well lo and behold I found the problem. The circuit breaker/fuse panel under the bow starboard seat somehow lost the protective cover for it and when one of my deckhands was putting away the fender its storage must have bumped the panel. Looks like one of the breakers was slightly out. Reseated all of them and everything powered up like it should.

Thank you everyone for the help in trying to diagnose the problem. Glad this was an easy fix. Now I need to find the part number to order a new cover for the fuses because I have no clue where the old one went

Pic attached

Thanks for the update!

I’ve had the same problem and it looks like you solved it. Where is the location for this relay that I need to replace?

Rsaks1 wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2024 2:15 pm I’ve had the same problem and it looks like you solved it. Where is the location for this relay that I need to replace?

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Hey so glad you found us, rs1.

Great to hear the folks here could help.

Any pics of your cobalt?

And welcome aboard mate.

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Rsaks1 wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2024 2:15 pm I’ve had the same problem and it looks like you solved it. Where is the location for this relay that I need to replace?

On my R5, if you look up from the helm foot base there are two to your right. It should be the one closest to you. I say should, because I called Cobalt and they could not tell me exactly. Claims different technicians install them differently. May just be trial and error.

Thanks to all who posted info about the relays. I just replaced both relays on my R7 and that appears to have fixed the problem.

JEShip wrote: Sun Sep 21, 2025 2:19 pm Thanks to all who posted info about the relays. I just replaced both relays on my R7 and that appears to have fixed the problem.

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So glad you found us JE…

Post a pic of your R7 if you get a chance.

And welcome aboard, mate!

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