Garmin Steering Problem - A Summary

[Gypsy]

I have just gone through rectifying the Garmin Steering Problem. I am writing this post because I feel that there are numerous other boat owners that have encountered the problem, gone through fixing the problem, or have the problem but are not sure just what to do.

If your boat wants to turn to port at high speed, and you must continually turn the wheel to the right it, and it is difficult to stay on course, you have the problem. There are two easy tests to be sure you have the problem. First, while the boat is stopped, turn the wheel all the way to the right. If you don't come to a hard stop and you are able to continue to slowly turn the wheel, it is an indication that the check valve in the auto pilot pump is not holding. The second test is to isolate the auto pilot pump. To do this, first locate the pump, then look on the end of the pump for three brass screws. Turn the screws clockwise to close the ports which isolated the pump. See photos. Then run the boat and test the steering (do not use the auto pilot). You should see that the boat steers as it should.

Now, how to fix the problem. Garmin knows they have a problem and have a check valve kit to fix the problem. How do you get the kit? I got mine through Fluid Motion. Contact Tim O'Neill timoneill@rangertugs.com, or Kenny Marrs. They should be able to get you the kit or tell you how to get the kit and tell you who will pay for the kit and the labor to install it and purge the system. Installing the check valve is not complicated. Purging the hydraulic system after the valve is installed is more difficult because of the auto pilot pump. I recommend having a qualified marine repair facility do the total installation. If you need to contact Garmin, it can be difficult getting to the right person. Here is a point of contact: Michael Villaverde
Marine Warranty Claims Analyst
marinewarranty@Garmin.com

The Garmin steering problem has been going on for quite some time. To me, it is a safety issue. I'm surprised that Fluid Motion never issued a notice to all boat owners, letting them know that there is a problem and that their boat might be affected, and what to do about it.

 

[BB marine]

Looking at that install it may ruction properly but does not fulfill the recommendations Garmin's installation manual. Fluid Motion has installed all lines going to the valve body. Garmin advised not to install in that piping configuration.

1.2 L AND 2.0 L HYDRAULIC PUMP
The pump has five hydraulic-connector fittings, although only three are used when installing the pump as recommended.

Add a T-connector to the starboard and port hoses of the hydraulic system between the helm and the steering cylinder.

gallery2.php?g2_itemId=67962&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
I have no idea what difference it makes attaching all hoses to the block or not but Garmin said they recommend the uses of Tee fitting and said do not install all hoses to the block. Photo shows my revision using Tee fittings.

From manual
"You should mount the pump horizontally, if possible. If you cannot mount the pump horizontally, you must mount it vertically with pump head connectors facing up". I was told horizontally meant mounting feet facing down not vertically.

Finally stated in the installation manual.
Correcting an Unwanted Gradual Turn in One Direction
This pump is designed to allow for a gradual bleed down of pressure when the autopilot is in standby. For installations with uneven rudder loads, this can result in a tendency of the boat to steer gradually to one side without continuous manual steering corrections. To correct or prevent this behavior in such installs, you can install a check valve accessory to block the bleed down path through the autopilot pump during manual steering.
1 Purchase the autopilot check valve kit (010-11203-10) from your Garmin dealer or from garmin.com.

I assume that the right hand rotation of the prop is applying a higher pressure on the starboard side of the rudder. This is increasing the pressure applied to the hydraulic system. The boats with larger wheels and higher HP are experiencing more issues with the smaller pump and valve body. After I changed the installation as per Garmin manual I had trouble free operation for 4 years. Smaller Hp and 17" wheel. "I assume" the pump is sized marginally for the larger HP boats and that is why the C28 C30 R29 R31 have experienced more issues that the smaller inboard boats.

This is strictly my opinion. The Fluid Motion folks and Garmin know the reason.

 

[Gypsy]

Brian,
The pump was installed by Fluid Motion and was not relocated. My understanding is that if the pump is mounted horizontally, the feet can be facing down, vertically, or even upside down - as long as the pump is in line with the keel of the boat.

 

[Emerson]

Since Garmin identified a fix, is it fair to say that new versions of the product/pump no longer have the problem?


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[Akallen007]

Thanks! I'm on it

 

[bensmiata]

Thank you for this. This seems to have been a long known problem that Ranger has not rectified: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13606&start=15

I had/have a failed pump as well. It is today being replaced by Garmin at a Garmin authorized repair shop at NO CHARGE INCLUDING LABOR🙂. The Garmin tech worked with the shop and required that they completely purge the entire system twice before installing the new pump. The tech stated that they had found that returned pumps from FM boats had debris from the boat manufacturing process in the lines that were causing the pumps to fail after very small valves in the pumps clog with debris. He said this cleaning/purging process was being required on all new FM warranty repairs of Garmin pumps.

When I discussed this with the repair shop they said they were told that the steering hoses are installed during the build process at FM and that they are not always sealed during the build and fiberglass and other construction dust an get in the system. The pumps and valves are very sensitive to any foreign material.

I get the boat back this weekend and hopefully after the purges I will not have any other problems.

Also, given the low cost of the check valve I all but begged the tech to sell me one for the pump. He was emphatic that it would not be necessary after the purge and new pump install.
Godspeed
 
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2018 11:11 am
City: Oregon
State/Province: WI
Ranger/Cutwater Model: C-30 S
Vessel Name: Godspeed

 

[cavok]

Bumping this one up because we have the same notorious steering problem on our Ranger Tug 31CB, and this is going to be rather costly for us. I'm hoping I can save others some money or trouble. Searching this site, it seems like this issue is the norm for many Ranger Tugs/Cutwaters at some point. A lot of problems with these autopilot pumps. We've had the problem for years (boat pulls constantly to port when autopilot is not engaged, at speeds over 5 knots or so). We never could quite put a finger on when or why it was happening, thought Rangers were just like this, maybe too small of a rudder, maybe there was a current, quick, slow down or put on the autopilot. This is something that could be pretty dangerous. Well. Reading Tugnuts about this, it became obvious. Steering doesn't lock either.

We tightened up the three brass screws to isolate the pump (easy for anyone to do this), and tested the steering without the autopilot (DO NOT ENGAGE THIS OR YOU COULD DAMAGE THE PUMP WHEN THE PUMP IS ISOLATED). Steering worked just fine manually, hit the steering stop both ways. The problem is obviously the autopilot pump.

Contacted Ranger Tugs, they sent us a Garmin warranty form to fill out and send to Garmin. The Garmin rep responded right away. The gist of it is that they offered to send us a free check valve kit (value about $275) no matter how old our boat was, but they would only pay for the installation costs if the boat was less than five years old. We just missed the five years. Reading through other posts, I asked the rep about getting a smartpump installed, and he said it was indeed the better option. They discounted it 10% for us (the price of the check valve kit), but the entire cost (including shipping and tax, two new cables) is $2832. Not cheap, but reading about people having multiple pump failures over the years, and the fact that this is what Ranger is putting in now, I think it's worth it. I was very impressed with how responsive Garmin was.

 

[glider4]

Cavok,
I guess you were lucky with Garmin. We had same problem with our new to us 2017 C-28. Steering very stiff in Standby mode and in Heading Hold the erratic steering made it impossible to use.
The Garmin rep I spoke to said “Your boats too old. Sorry. The autopilot check valve kit is $275. Do you want to charge that?” So, I’m not so impressed with Garmin! We ended up getting the check valve from a fellow Tugnuts member who had an unused one for $100. THANKS AGAIN ANDY!
We did get the autopilot check valve installed by Bellingham Yachts in July. Not cheap but the difference is AMAZING! Fingers crossed that we won’t have any other issues going forward.

 

[cavok]

Cavok,
I guess you were lucky with Garmin. We had same problem with our new to us 2018 C-28. Steering very stiff in Standby mode and in Heading Hold the erratic steering made it impossible to use.
The Garmin rep I spoke to said “Your boats too old. Sorry. The autopilot check valve kit is $275. Do you want to charge that?” So, I’m not so impressed with Garmin! We ended up getting the check valve from a fellow Tugnuts member who had an unused one for $100. THANKS AGAIN ANDY!
We did get the autopilot check valve installed by Bellingham Yachts in July. Not cheap but the difference is AMAZING! Fingers crossed that we won’t have any other issues going forward.

Wow, that is a bummer! I wonder if I just got lucky, or if the fact that I submitted the pre-filled out form from Ranger Tug helped? Then again, a 10% discount on a $2699 pump isn't very much, maybe they give it to everyone who has an issue! That's pretty amazing that you found another one on Tugnuts. Very glad that the difference is so significant. We're ready to have steering that works all the time. Wish we would have analyzed it and came here first before just putting up with it for so long!

 

[KlaassyC]

I had the same issue last fall on our 2018 C28 and Garmin sent a tech from Seattle to Vancouver, installed the check valve kit, sea trialled it with me, at no cost to me. Super impressed, especially as I’m the second owner!


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[cavok]

I had the same issue last fall on our 2018 C28 and Garmin sent a tech from Seattle to Vancouver, installed the check valve kit, sea trialled it with me, at no cost to me. Super impressed, especially as I’m the second owner!


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That is impressive! I guess you were within the five year window, even as the second owner. Amazing that they sent a tech to you, I wonder if they didn't see any repair facilities near you? As far as the sea trial, I wonder if the tech just wanted a ride on your lovely boat. 🙂

 

[KlaassyC]

Maybe 🙂. I was just under 5 years and Seattle was the closest repair facility that Garmin preferred for work on Ranger/Cutwater boats. The tech ended up coming up the day before, stayed in a hotel, and spent most of the next day working on the boat. Even took care of some unexpected issues related to the connection to the Yamaha 25 kicker.
I did follow the warranty claim process that Port Boat House provided for me, so maybe that helped.


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[cavok]

Maybe 🙂. I was just under 5 years and Seattle was the closest repair facility that Garmin preferred for work on Ranger/Cutwater boats. The tech ended up coming up the day before, stayed in a hotel, and spent most of the next day working on the boat. Even took care of some unexpected issues related to the connection to the Yamaha 25 kicker.
I did follow the warranty claim process that Port Boat House provided for me, so maybe that helped.


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Now that is impressive service! I hope anyone who is having steering issues fully checks it out, and realizes the kind of service you can get to replace that check valve. However, you must contact Garmin before the five year period is up in order to get them to pay for the repair.