My 2024 Minn Kota Ulterra changes directions excessively while in AutoPilot. 

It goes left, right, left, right, very quickly. I had an older regular Ulterra and it was smooth and never like this. It happens whether going fast or slow.

 

 

Is this a common problem?

 

 

Anyway to fix it?
 

If it happens whether you’re going fast or slow I would say try getting to as close to a stop as you can before engaging it. If it starts that way when you engage it and then settles down it’s probably normal. If it’s constantly doing that on still water on a calm day that’s not normal.

Refer to  the owners manual and put Auto Pilot in "Legacy Mode".

I have the terrova quest and have had no issues with this. Ironically if I was standing in the back of my old boat with my terrova that was not a quest  it would do this. 

Do you have the white GPS puck mounted too close?  I've heard of issues if that item is mounted closer than 24 inches to the motor head.

Call MK customer service they are very good with helping customers.

My older power drive has done that on ocassion, but I found it is not setting in the drive properly.  I have to lift it slightly and let it settle into the steering drive mechanism.  I think waves often cause the head/ shaft to raise slightly and disconnect from the drive.  Mine only does that in heavy chop, on nice calm days it has not been an issue...so far ..

On 4/26/2024 at 9:15 AM, gimruis said:

Do you have the white GPS puck mounted too close?  I've heard of issues if that item is mounted closer than 24 inches to the motor head.

My motor head turns about a lot (Ulterra) but not like the OP described. Maybe this is my problem. I have mine mounted right next to the tm. 

5 minutes ago, spartyon8 said:

I have mine mounted right next to the tm. 

 

Did you mount it there yourself or did a dealer do it for you?  The minn kota website is very clear about where to mount it and it specifically says no closer to the head unit than 24 inches.  If the dealer put it there, I'd be having a conversation with them about it installing it incorrectly...and having them address it at no charge too.

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

 

Did you mount it there yourself or did a dealer do it for you?  The minn kota website is very clear about where to mount it and it specifically says no closer to the head unit than 24 inches.  If the dealer put it there, I'd be having a conversation with them about it installing it incorrectly...and having them address it at no charge too.

It was me who did the install. I swear I went through the directions a million times as I was having electrical issues with the motor itself upon install. I’ll move it by the console when I get the chance. 

My understanding is that you only need that white GPS puck for the jog feature.

 

I know some people who have an ultrex and they didn't even bother with it.

some of the ultrex and (maybe) ulterra units have the jog feature built into the head unit.  I don't recall off hand which though.

The GPS is built into the trolling motor.  The puck is a heading sensor only.

Directly from Minnkota's website:

 

The Heading Sensor needs to be mounted on a flat level surface with the arrow pointed parallel with the keel-line of the boat. It should not be mounted upside down and it needs to be at least 2 feet (24 inches) away from the trolling motor, anything ferrous, and anything that can cause interference.

23 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Directly from Minnkota's website:

 

The Heading Sensor needs to be mounted on a flat level surface with the arrow pointed parallel with the keel-line of the boat. It should not be mounted upside down and it needs to be at least 2 feet (24 inches) away from the trolling motor, anything ferrous, and anything that can cause interference.

 

 

I believe the new Quest models did away with the heading sensor and it's built into the head unit now.

You can use a compass to test for magnetic interference around the heading sensor.   If you don’t have an old fashioned compass you can probably get a compass app for your phone.

5 minutes ago, tcbass said:

I believe the new Quest models did away with the heading sensor and it's built into the head unit now.

 

Could be.  I suppose if the bow mount doesn't come with one, that would answer that.  If it still has one, mounting it properly would be a good idea.

According to the hunt for red october, your trolling motor was just performing the crazy Ivan 

Does it always go to port at the bottom of the hour?

18 minutes ago, VolFan said:

Does it always go to port at the bottom of the hour?

 

A-Jay

Mine does this when on the mode where the compass heading is trying to be maintained.  I will check into the Legacy Setting.