Perfect Pass not engaging - 2003 SANTE

[GoBig]

Before I take this in and pay the mandatory diagnostic fee, I'm hoping one of you can help me shed the light on the problem (and hopefully I can fix myself). In my 2003 SANTE, Perfect Pass appears to work fine. After throttle up, it beeps to engage but does not actually take over. From the gauge it appears to be trying to take control but it is not actually engaging. Any thoughts? Is this a $100 fix or a $1000 fix? Thanks for the help....

Cheers!

[lbz99smp]

RE: Perfect Pass not engaging - 2003 SANTE

check the wiring circuits. we had trouble with ours a while ago. exact same problem as you've described, was just a loose wire. if you have the manual it will tell you how to trouble shoot each coloured wire, by holding certain buttons on start up. if this doesn't tell you check each of the connections and plugs at the servo motor at the engine and the control unit under the dash. good luck.

[aaron]

RE: Perfect Pass not engaging - 2003 SANTE

Happened to mine last year.Also a 2003 SANTE
When you power up your console, look back at your engine and check whether the perfect pass motor turns and makes that slight buzzing noise, you can see that black knob "move" alittle when it tries to take up some slack.
If nothing happens, its the servo thats faulty and it is a simple US$100+ to replace DIY.
Since yours is an 03, which has a 5 yr warranty, you cd possibly get a free replacement ( like i did)

[j2nh]

Servo

I'm with aaron on this.
When you first hit start and the fuel pump starts the servo will go thru a "tighten sequence" and pull the cable tight and then "bounce" a couple of times.
Check the Perfect Pass manual, there is a diagnostic test you can initiate on the display. Might even be low voltage.
If it turns out to be a servo, I have a brand new one, never used, sitting in my garage. I have an 09 with Zero Off on order so I will never need this unit. $75 including shipping.
Hope you find the answer.

[GoBig]

RE: Servo

Awesome! Thanks guys for the support. I just bought this boat and it is my first boat with PP (last was a '97 Sport). According to the previous owner, PP worked fine until our demo (naturally). He wasn't sure why it wasn't working. The warranty is transferrable but would only cover the next two months and I think the transfer fee is $500. So I think I'm on my own on this one. J2NH, If it does turn out to be the servo, I will take you up on your offer. Can you send me the model number you have so I can verify it is the correct unit? Thanks again....

[j2nh]

Servo

GoBig:
I will check on the part number on the servo and send you a pm.

Having said that I would be very surprised if it was the servo. When we were diagnosing our problem I talked to the guys at Perfect Pass, very helpful by the way, and they said that the servo motor itself rarely if ever goes bad. More than likely you have a low voltage situation or a blown fuse. Again, spend some time on the Perfect Pass site, reading your manual and be sure to run the self diagnostic test. If memory serves me right there is an inline fuse going to the servo motor that you might want to check as well.
Good luck.

[GoBig]

RE: Servo

J2NH,
No worries on checking the part number. I spoke with the guys at PP today who, like you said, are super cool. Very helpful.

Heads up, here comes a tangent --- why don't more companies understand the importance of customer interaction and the customer experience? I called PP, a real person answered the phone in about 2 rings, the first person I talked to spent 15 minutes on the phone with me answering all of my questions without having to be transfered or put on-hold once...and he was totally cool. Makes me want to do business with them. If only other companies would "get it" -----

Anyhow, they stated that every servo has been the same since early designs so if you have a PP servo, it would work in my setup. I'll do the diags this weekend and get back to you.

Cheers!

[GoBig]

RE: Servo

Fixed! Just to update this thread for someone searching in the future, as it turns out my servo was totally seized. This was a simple DIY repair. An easy check that I wish I would have done earlier --- try turning the black knob on the servo motor by hand one full turn counter-clockwise. If you can't turn it, the servo is seized and needs to be replaced. Thanks to J2NH for hooking me up with a new servo motor! Installed it today and it works great!

[saceone]

RE: Servo

glad to hear it was a realtively easy fix. mine is at the dealer (over winter) and it's on the list of things to be done.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

RE: Servo

i have seen them sieze more than once
but glad you got it fixed

[j2nh]

Hey GoBig glad this worked out. Got your letter in the mail today so we are all good. Agree, Perfect Pass sets the standard for customer service,

[Chexi]

I had the same symptoms a couple times on mine. For me the solution was much simpler. The servo motor had twisted a bit (clamp a bit too loose) and was out of perfect position. I think it was actually hitting the motor box cover. The result was exactly what the OP described. Beeped but would not engage. Loosened the hose clamp, repositioned, tightened the hose clamp... perfect. Note, this was on my other boat, which is not a nautique. I'm not sure if the servos on the nautiques are placed in such a precarious position as on my other boat. I have not checked the placement on my 99 Air.