Autopilot problems

Mick & Denise

New Member
Mar 26, 2008
208
Eastern NC
Boat Info
1996 50 ft Sundancer
Engines
3176 Cats 600hp
I have just purchased this boat with a B & G Network electronics and the autopilot holds a straight line when cold and after about 15 minutes it will only work about a minute or so after being set again. The unit says rudder drive fault and the manual from B&G says to check the connections. I could not find any at the sensor as it is hard wired right in. The strange thing is the rudder drive angle indicator works fine so it must be getting the signal from the sensor. Any ideas??:huh:
 
You have a hydraulic pump somewhere between the helm and the rudder actuation cylinder in the bilge. When B&G rigged the boat at the factory for Sea Ray, the pump was usually placed in the bilge in the aft stbd corner of the engine room. If yours was rigged after delivery, you'll just have to look for the pump.

With a rudder drive fault error message you probably have either a failing hydraulic pump motor or a loose or corroded connection where it is wired into the electrical system. My vote would be to find it and clean all the electrical connections first and go from there.

If you see hydraulic (red) fluid near the pump, the pump may have air in it which would also cause the pump to falter and that as well may give you the rudder fault.
 
Thanks, I know where the pump is. Although I am not sure how to check the fluid level as it looks to be a closed system. Must be a resevoir somewhere. Thanks again.
 
Usually the helm pump is the reservoir and fill point.

Best regards,
Frank
 
It is, but if the system calls for the pump to move the rudder and the rudder indicator doesn't respond similarly, then the B&G pilot will give you a fault. It isn't likely, but if the pump has air in it, it will not move the rudder as much as the AP thinks it should you will get a rudder error.
 

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