help with MinnKota autopilot

I remember years ago reading about how to fix an Auto Pilot motor that won’t lock on a direction. I haven’t looked under the head yet, but I will today or tomorrow. One possible problem is that the compass could be low on fluid. If I see that it’s low and I’m able to get fluid in there, what kind of fluid is it? I think I might remember it being oil, but not for sure on that one.
This motor will just spin and not lock on a direction, so I’ll take a look under the head cover and see what I can see. If any of you have any info on this, it sure would be welcome. Thanks–

Each time it happened to me they just replaced the unit, maybe look to see if any of the people who went with the I pilot are selling the compass unit, or look into the I pilot and get rid of the compass.

Pretty easy to install, so if you can’t get yours fixed, don’t be afraid of just buying the part and installing it yourself.

Good luck.

al

This motor is so old they barely knew what regular pilots were when it came out, I’m thinking.

It’s got the white head, so it’s at least 15 yrs old or so I would think. Motor runs very nice, just thought I’d take a closer look at the auto pilot so maybe it would help it sell.

I know what you’re talking about, can’t find it exactly for that motor yet…

This is for the newest version, don’t have time right now to find it for you model, but its a head start. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fharris.thewholefamily.org%2Fvideos%2FWD40%2FDocs%2FMinn%2520Kota%2520AP.pdf&ei=ZGVtTPf7C46InAfBneHjCA&usg=AFQjCNH3Sj9lChzfjAIKQQPqwSXGIb00-Q&sig2=Y88sVBUnCvqY1bz4mnbv6g

Is closer what it appears you’re looking for is Minn Kota

Service Repair Bulletin #SB122099

http://tnhatlfs01.thenethouse.com/striperpics/mkrepair.pdf/Minn%20Kota%20Repair%20Manual.pdf

Is all I can find right now…

Actually I didnt read enough I think the second link has the info you need

Thanks Nick. I looked thru that a little bit…looks like fun!

I took the top cover off last night and the fluid looked real good in there, hardly any air at all. So I would have to think that it’s in the board or in the switch, who knows. I think it might be too much for me to put anything into on something I’m trying to sell anyways. Motor works great the way it is, but has held a couple people from buying it because the autopilot is not working.

From my experince with a newer generation AP, I had it adjusted once when it would go wacko one in a while and not hold course and start turning on it’s own, another time I broke a part on the motor and took it with me on a visit to Minn Kota (they are close enough to me) and they gave me an “updated” ap compass, I had an early second gen ap. (2001 ish) and I replaced the compass and it was fine again. Didnt buy the parts so best case need an adjustment or I’m not sure what they really cost, gotta think for under $100 you could have the ap working, assuming it just needs a new compass/board, never worked on one of those, but mine was super easy to work on.

Thanks for the info yet again Nick, always appreciated.

At this point, I think what I’ll do is call the nearest MK authorized repair center and see what they can tell me. I don’t want to put a lot of $$ into something that I’m trying to sell, because I know I won’t get that $$ back. But if they’ve got a cheap fix or something, maybe I’ll look into it. Motor works great, and I’m still using it now, but just need to sell it so I can get the Terrova I need. Whomever put the 54″ motor on this boat wasn’t thinking.