Minnkota Autopilot Problem

[stein]

I have been watching the posts for a few years and counting my blessings. My autopilot has performed flawlessly....until last weekend. The autopilot feature suddenly stopped working. Then a few minutes later randomly started spinning around in circles. This happened whether auto pilot was engaged or not. Who do I contact, dealer or Minnkota? I need the motor for a trip in 12 days. Should I wait? How much $ ? Is this a quick fix? Help!

[Eyez]

Sounds like a fried control board or a bad switch. I had the same problem with mine on my old boat, mine was the switch. I pulled the cover off and cut the wires to the autopilot switch, and that made the problem go away, but the autopilot didn't work either. I never used the autopilot anyway, so I just left it like that. I think it's about $120 to have the control board replaced if that's the problem. You'll probably have to take it in either way to determine what's wrong with it. A large dealer might have the part handy, but when my dad had that same problem with his autopilot 5 years ago, he had to wait for the dealer to order the control board.


Eyez

eyez@dotplanet.com

[Mattman]

A buddy of mine of mine went through 4 of them in 2 years. He just brought it right back to where he got it and they gave him a new one. He was under warranty. Finally gave up and got a Maxxum.

[Jerry]

Look on the Minnkota website, there is a list of local repair centers. The ones in my area are individuals who do the work out of their homes. They're easy to work with and stock many of the common replacement parts.

I was fishing in a lot of rain and my AP stopped working - everything else worked OK. It was down for 3 days. When I got home, I took it to the repair center and, wouldn't you know, the blasted thing worked fine. Even though they're supposed to be sealed, it must have gotten wet. Hasn't failed since.

I also had problems with the motor turning by itself even with the AP turned off. May have been due to low batteries. Replaced the batteries and this hasn't happened again. I also heard that this could be due to dirt or water in the foot pedal between the pedal and the control pad underneath. You can take this apart and check it. Just a couple of things to look at before heading to the repair center.

[Footdoc]

I just had my AP repaired in Minnesota. The shipping was about $25.00. The repair was $114.00 for the replacement of the long coiled cable from the head to the base. They also updated the charge indicator as my unit was a 1995. I thought they did a great job and it seems fine so far. Total repair time was about 10 days. No complaints on this end. Good luck!

[curt]

i had the exact same problems. it was the switch. local authorized repairman put a new one in for about 15 bucks. don't let anyone try to take you. i'll bet that's what it is.let me know how it comes out good luck

[curt]

i had the exact same problems. it was the switch. local authorized repairman put a new one in for about 15 bucks. don't let anyone try to take you. i'll bet that's what it is.let me know how it comes out good luck

[stein]

Thanks for the info guys. I have a hunch it might be the switch. It doesnt seem to have an audible "click" to it anymore. Thanks.

[Tackleman]

I heard it could be the gyroscope if it starts turning freakishly. Mine just started to do the same thing. Haven't got mine fixed yet.