Garmin Autopilot Error Message

[CaspersCruiser]

The Garmin GHP-10 autopilot has operated flawlessly since I bought my R27 last year. Last week, it suddenly displayed "Searching for autopilot controller". I turned off the NEMA 2000 and then turned it back on and the autopilot functioned for a short time then the error message returned. It has remained since. When the autopilot is powered up, the error message appears instantly.

I have unplugged all connectors on the control head at the helm, the CCU in the cave, and the ECU in the starboard lazarette and inspected them for corrosion and then reseated them. All were clean and bright. The ECU is getting power.

Where do I go from here?

 

[Shano]

Just in case you have'nt tried this -- turn off the house power which will power down all AP components. This hard reboot helped a friend with a CW that had the same error message. If you have disconnected the power to all AP components by unplugging the power inputs then you have already done this.
Good Luck

 

[ixlr8]

I had the same error message the last time I was out on the boat. Problem was that I had downloaded some Garmin updates to my iPad and it appears that my iPad was transferring the updates to the Garmin units. Once the updates were done I powered down the Garmin units and everything restarted fine with no issues.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I spoke with Garmin product support this morning. After some initial surliness from the technician that got thrown right back into his face, he warmed up and said 90% of the time “Searching for autopilot controller” is a fault in the CCU. Then he turned around and said before exchanging the CCU, which he said Garmin would do for $150, I should replace all the cables between the components. Those cables are about $30 a pop and changing them is a pretty daunting task given the tight spaces involved. I’m inclined to go with the 90% solution, but this evening I went to the boat and everything powered up fine. Who knows!? I’ll keep you posted.

 

[Barry Cohen]

This has happened a couple of times to me. Each time, I went back to the most recent software update and reloaded it. It always took care of the problem.

 

[knotflying]

As far as I know the unit you have won't be getting any more updates. If you recently updated to the last published update it is important that all the components be turned on so that the update sends information to the other components that need them to operate in unison.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I haven’t done any updates since I’ve owned the boat.

 

[tpfahy]

Garmin posts an update to the 76xx series every couple of months. The updates fix bugs, or adds new features (active captain integration, new sonar views etc). here is a link to the current release dated Jun 11, 2018. You are not required to run all the interim updates first.

https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=8743

Read the instructions from Garmin, but: download the file to a laptop or computer, with a 32gb SD card connected, click the file on completion of the download, and it will install the update file to the SD card (dont just download to the SD card, your in-dash Garmin cant do anything with that). Put the resulting SD card in the SD slot on your Garmin (behind the little flip down cover lower right corner on mine) while the GPSMAP is turned on, 76xx will recognize the software update and ask if you want to update. have all your devices (auto pilot etc) turned on. run the update, generally takes about 10 mins. you may subsequently need another SD card to setup active captain. there is a spare slot to leave an SD card.