Seatalk Fail error - help! (attempt 2)

[peter2407]

This my second attempt at trying to describe the issues I am experiencing (the first attempt was clearly gibberish, apologies).

Two issues that may be connected (not technically, procedurally). Issue 1 is the water pump blowing the fuse. Issue 2 is that the auto helm (ST6000 plus) is showing a 'STLK FAIL' error.

The procedural connection may be that I used fuses from unused (or rather unlabelled) slots on the switch panel to try and resolve the water pump issue, and then inadvertently caused the auto helm issue. I may be wrong though.

The recent history with the water pump is that I filled drained and then refilled the water tank twice in one day with no issues. The following day the fuse blowing happened.

The recent history with the auto helm is that it worked fine when we were on the mooring because I demo'd the rudder indicator to new crew, we then moved the boat to a marina and went onto shore power. I started the auto helm and saw the STLK FAIL error (this was after the water pump activity above.

I may have knocked a wire related to the course computer when looking for a shackle in the storage under the nav seat (where the course computer lives, with lots of cables), I may have removed a fuse inadvertently, or this may all just be coincidental.

TIA

 

[duncan99210]

STLK FAIL is th error message you'll get when the Seatalk connection between the course computer and the control head has failed. Most likely cause of that is loose wires, either at the control head or the course computer. Check those connections are good as a first step. If that doesn't resolve the problem then you'll need to check the Seatalk cables to see if they've got a break in them: use a multimeter for that.
The blowing fuse on the water pump shouldn't have anything to do with your problem. You've got power coming to the autopilot control head (must have or you wouldn't be getting an error message) so blown fuses are the root cause. If you'd blown the fuse in the course computer, iirc you wouldn't be getting power to the control head.

 

[peter2407]

Duncan - thanks. The other factor is that the indicator lights on the switch panel above the relevant switch doesn't illuminate, but the control head does power up (as you have identified). I think first step is check all fuses and add fuses to any empty fuse slots.