'97 400DA autopilot comp location?

[Z-Worthy]

I have a '97 400DA with a RayPilot 650 autohelm. After a bit of diagnostics, I have come to the conclusion that the computer is shot. I can find a Raytheon Type 100 or Type 300 computer on eBay, but I can't find my own computer to save my life! It's not down in the engine compartment (at least not anywhere obvious), and it's not behind the dash access panels. I know these things can be installed just about anywhere, but does anyone with a similar age 400 have any suggestions for where else to look for this thing? If I have to, I can start tracing wires. But since they're all bundled together from the factory that could become a nightmare.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Do you have a subwoofer? There's a surprising amount of room behind it. worth a look at least.

 

[HUMPH]

Should be behind the dash. Maybe pull out your chart plotter and shine a light back in there. Either that or just open the hatch under the steering wheel and look around. It should be back there but may not look like what you envision.

 

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

Behind the dash for Raytheon option.....for the B&G electronics option the core is elsewhere

Capt. R

 

[EKM]

the B&G option is located on the starboard side in front of the rear seat access panel (starboard side). Once you have the inspection hatch open and remove the panels you will find the B&G AP unit. Maybe your is located in the same spot?

 

[Z-Worthy]

RollerCoastr wins; behind the subwoofer. The pump and the computer are both back there. Tough space to get into!

 

[RollerCoastr]

It's funny how they mix things up. My pump is behind the sub, but the computer is in the dash.

 

[Z-Worthy]

Now I have the luxury of trying to figure out if replacing the computer will fix the problems. The autopilot never worked since I've owned the boat, which I figured was a bad pump but I didn't really care. I had the digital rudder indicator, which was all I needed. But when we launched this spring, the rudder indicator was stuck on 3 degrees to port (no amount of turning the wheel changed it). I gave up and had a Raymarine tech check it out, and he said bad computer. He mentioned they can be had on eBay for a couple hundred bucks. But after he was tinkering, the rudder indicator starting working again! Only now it's zeroed at 14 degrees to port. So I can either mentally consider port 14 as my zero and just use it as is, or keep trying to fix it.

The tech said a new computer would at least get the rudder indicator back working correctly, but in order to get the autopilot operating I probably need a new pump. And even that can't be tested until I get a new computer. It's just a question of how much time/trouble am I willing to go to in order to repair something that doesn't really bother me that much.