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Autopilot won't engage
- Thread starter Xhawk101
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j&lgray
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Can you provide more details on the signs and symptoms?
When the garmin says "you have the helm" the auto pilot controller is engaged. Is the issue that the steering pumping is not working? If so, then ensure that there is power to this pump. Or, is there a brief message that "no heading sensor is detected?" If that is the case, disconnect the cable from the back of this unit, wait 20 seconds, and re-connect. As Andrew says at the factory, "no one really knows why this tactic works."
When the garmin says "you have the helm" the auto pilot controller is engaged. Is the issue that the steering pumping is not working? If so, then ensure that there is power to this pump. Or, is there a brief message that "no heading sensor is detected?" If that is the case, disconnect the cable from the back of this unit, wait 20 seconds, and re-connect. As Andrew says at the factory, "no one really knows why this tactic works."
down stream
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Had the same problem on my R27.
Andrew gave me same instructions, has been ok since then.
Thanks Andrew!!!
Andrew gave me same instructions, has been ok since then.
Thanks Andrew!!!
Xhawk101
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j&lgray":44nx9eu9 said:Can you provide more details on the signs and symptoms?
When the garmin says "you have the helm" the auto pilot controller is engaged. Is the issue that the steering pumping is not working? If so, then ensure that there is power to this pump. Or, is there a brief message that "no heading sensor is detected?" If that is the case, disconnect the cable from the back of this unit, wait 20 seconds, and re-connect. As Andrew says at the factory, "no one really knows why this tactic works."
Not sure if there is power to pump. How to tell? Do not have any message about heading sensor. I could unplug cables to try that thanks.
j&lgray
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You will know if your autopilot pump is not working when after your auto pilot is on and you have engaged it, that the boat will not stay on a course. It wanders like no one is steering, because, and you guessed right, no one is steering. The auto pilot controller is sending orders to the steering pump but no one is listening.
As you check out this issue, be sure the breaker switch on the 12 volt panel for the auto pilot is switched on. Some tugs have these, others do not. If yours does not, the power to the auto pilot pump may come from the 12 volt distribution fuse block that is often found directly behind the chartplotter and through its door. That distribution panel has a number of fuses and one of them may send power to the auto pilot pump. The factory may have marked the wires or the fuse panel. So, look for those. The pump draws a lot of power, so look for a 10 to 15 amp fuse.
90% of the issues like this are: no power to the unit-either by the switch not on or the fuse is blown. Rarely is the pump the issue.
As you check out this issue, be sure the breaker switch on the 12 volt panel for the auto pilot is switched on. Some tugs have these, others do not. If yours does not, the power to the auto pilot pump may come from the 12 volt distribution fuse block that is often found directly behind the chartplotter and through its door. That distribution panel has a number of fuses and one of them may send power to the auto pilot pump. The factory may have marked the wires or the fuse panel. So, look for those. The pump draws a lot of power, so look for a 10 to 15 amp fuse.
90% of the issues like this are: no power to the unit-either by the switch not on or the fuse is blown. Rarely is the pump the issue.
knotflying
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There is a test to ensure that there is no air in the lines. I can't remember what that is, but Garmin is very helpful if you call tech service.
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