Service for my Furuno Autopilot

Forfun1960 · Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 10:07 pm Post subject: Service for my Furuno Autopilot

My Furuno 511 Autopilot makes a very hard left when I engage it and then gives me a Rudder Error. Furono says it may have air in steering after bleeding no improvement. II will be coming down to the Hontoon event next month from Illinois. Anyone have a recommended service shop I can take my boat to for the repair while I'm in Florida? I have extra days before and after the event.

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:06 am Post subject:

I know several like and have used Astor Marine.

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 5:44 pm Post subject:

Astor Marine is a great shop but I doubt that they can help with an autopilot. You probably need a electronics shop. I messed my Garmin Auto pilot up a couple times by setting speakers and fans by the compass unit. I should know better. My boat turned the wrong way. I also clean contacts if something is not working right. Not much help but who knows.....Tom

See you at Hontoon

thataway · Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 9:32 pm Post subject:

Not near Hontoon, but if you want to drop by Pensacola by the way, you are welcome to stay with us. Georges Marine Electronics is not far away.. They are a well respected electronics outfit and do work on/carry Furuno. Some times the folks want the boat in the water, and there is a nearby ramp and we have a dock. I suspect it may be a relay, or could be an issue in the main board. I have suffered thru a number of those "bump in the night"--hard right or left issues thru the years with auto pilots. Really aggravating when they go out on a 2000 mile passage across an ocean...or only steer gong South, and you want to go North!

We are only 8 miles off I 10, and about 30 miles off I 65 (coming South--one of the ways we go to our farm In Illinois. We also take Hwy 45 thru Mississippi and then Alabama, picking up I 10 in Mobile. This is a little further than going directly thru Georgia to I 75.

You might want to call Georges and talk with them, about making an appointment if you are interested.

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 9:46 pm Post subject:

Are you just looking to have the steering hydraulics re-bled, or to actually work on the autopilot electronics? or both? If just rebled, we probably have enough expertise right there at the gathering to help with that. Colby

Forfun1960 · Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 10:32 am Post subject:

I have already bled the system, at this point looking for service.

Hunkydory · Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:07 am Post subject:

This will happen minus the rudder error on our older Raymarine S1000 auto pilot, whenever I reengage the auto pilot following going to a low enough speed where it loses steering control. The fix in my case is to completely shut off the system restart & after initializing do a couple circles both left & right then a straight course before reengaging. Sometimes I’ve been able to just do the circle counter circle then straight course without restarting to stop the abrupt right or left turn when engaging. Lots of differences in the working of the auto pilots between makes & types, so for sure not a fix for all & likely you.

Jay

NORO LIM · Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 12:35 pm Post subject:

If I had to guess, I'd say it might be the rudder sensor. Furuno AP uses a Telex "Smart Stick" sensor attached to the outboard's mounting bracket. The stick itself (or a connection) may have failed, or the sensor or its reference magnet may have gotten knocked out of alignment.

https://www.furunousa.com/-/media/sites/furuno/document_library/documents/manuals/installation_manuals/fapar4502_manual_of_installation_instructions.pdf