Auto Pilot Not Working

montenido · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009

Hi all, I went out today and noticed that my auto pilot has stopped working. The display works but the drive does not. The only electrical work I have done lately is install a new stereo, but I used all existing wires and didn't splice into anything new. It is an autohelm 3000 I believe. Any ideas where to start looking? It has always worked fine. Maybe its just a fuse. I didn't get the chance to delve too deeply today, but I will give it look in a couple of days. Any advise would be surely appreciated.

Thanks, Bill

CLucas · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009

What is the display showing? Is it displaying the correct heading? Is the drive doing anything at all? Making any noise?

capttb · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009

I'd start at the plug to the wheeldrive motor, check for 12V. and a good connection.

billyruffn · #4 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009

Someone once said, "95% of all electrical problems on boats are faulty connections". I don't know if the number is accurate, but checking all the connections is certainly the place to start. After that, get out your multi-meter and "walk the line".

montenido · #5 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009

The display reads normally: current heading, etc., and lets me know that I am going off course. I will check the connections because that sounds like a likely source for the problem.

Thanks for the input, Bill