Raymarine ST4000 wheel autopilot clutch disengaging itself

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jwilson

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I have a 3 year old Raymarine ST4000 wheel pilot, that is now disengaging itself a fter a few moments - the lever that engages/disengages the autopilot flips itself down on its own.

Anyone else had this happen and found a cure for this, before I call in a service agent? The manual is no help....
 
On my boat a previous owner has attached a small length of elasticated cord to the binnacle (like thin bungy cord) I have not worked out exactly what this is for yet, however coincidently it is just the correct length to hook over the clutch on my ST4000. Not used autopilot yet so not found out if it is prone to jumping out.

Just an idea. It is the only thing within its reach for it to possibly connect to.
 
I had this on mine.

IIRC the screw that held the handle on was loose and it allowed the handle to slip over the "bump" that should hold it in place.
I also checked the tension of the belt as it is an "over centre" clamp so should stay engaged even without the aforementioned bump.

If I can remember anything else, I'll let you (all) know. Sorry it's a little bit vague - must be my age!

Cheers
 
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone else had this happen and found a cure for this, before I call in a service agent? The manual is no help....

[/ QUOTE ]Yes - well I did in my case. The lever moves a cam that tensions the belt. In my case the pin that locates the lever position relative to the cam had corroded. This caused the cam-position-to-lever-position relationship to change slightly which meant that the lever didn't quite positively lock (due to the belt tension on the cam). I fixed it temporarily with a handy bit of something to take the place of the pin until I could get a new lever and cam assembly.
 
Mine does this too. I used a short loop of chord around handle and drive housing which seems to do the trick. I may be imagining it, but it doesn't seem as bad after i've given the housing a good flushing out with fresh water as recommended by the user manual
 
DONT fit a bungee.. you will bugger up the rollers.
Fit a new cam assembly.
the MOST common reason for this is an oversized boat with an undersized AP.. keep tightening it up to solve a problem that shouldnt exist.. the st4000 is a super pilot.

People blame the pilot when it is most defintiely NOT its fault.. no design fault et al
 
Mine is 3 years old less than TT 200 hrs on it same problem since almost new . I use bunjie cord also but sometimes forget when single handling hit the auto all ok for few moments then get busy setting eveything up for next jibe or tack then all hel. breaks loose waves pushing boat onw way mast going othe boat dosen't know where it is going...? other way . I'm ? ithink, on cusp at old rating 12500 32 foot loaded thinking about upgrading new S1 has a 18.5 k rated but if it has same problem why bother??????anyhone that has installed the S1 and has raymarine even addresed problem ?If problem is no longer there let me know before I open the purse again...and send Raymarine more $.?
 
Mine suffered the same symptoms and after a couple of weeks the belt broke. Once changed the problem was solved.
Open the round cover and have a look. It is easy and you can do it yourself.
 
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