2021 G23 Thrusters Intermittent Failure

[Cpan13]

Dealer is checking with Nautique, no immediate resolution so I figured I’d check here. My thrusters stop working almost every time I use my boat. I’ll be able to used them 4-5 times then they stop and I have to cycle my battery disconnect and they start working again. Any ideas?

[charlesml3]

When it fails, go to the system menu and then the Can Bus tab. Does it show a communication failure to the Thruster controller?

-Charles

[Cpan13]

I’ll check that today and report back. Thanks!

[Cpan13]

When it fails, go to the system menu and then the Can Bus tab. Does it show a communication failure to the Thruster controller?

-Charles

The canbus screen shows “thruster motor temp sensor error”.

[charlesml3]

OK. It's telling you that the motor is getting too hot. Any chance you're just pushing it too hard? It can only run a few seconds at a time. If not, it sounds like that sensor is bad.

-Charles

[ChristinaLake Junkie]

Cpan13; do you have a resolution for this issue? I have had this problem since day 1 and it's quite frustrating. Ours will stop working intermittently the further we get into the session, with more outages for longer periods.

Charles, I read your post to suggest we can only use our thrusters for a few seconds at a time? I do only use the "Low" setting (for auto-steer, but both auto and manual exhibit the same issue) but do love the auto feature for a 1/4 turn back to the rider and around the back of the rider at times. Haven't paid any attention to length of run time, although it's obviously while the steering position sensor is seeing a starboard or port position outside of centered. At times approaching docks and my lift, session-ing the thruster for only seconds ia about all I need but the value of this system when trying to return to rider requires more than a few quick blasts and seems like a poor design given what we are using them for?

I will definitely check out the canbus screen!! Thanks.

[Cpan13]

I kind of got it resolved. I ended up pulling the cable off on both ends to check for resistance as per a Nautique service document. My resistance was in spec, so I plugged them back in and haven’t had the intermittent failure since then. I’m chalking it up to possible loose connection or some kind of moisture that I got out when I pulled the ends.

But now I’m having the issue of my rudder sensor failing all the way to the right. So I can only use manual thrusters.

[ChristinaLake Junkie]

Cpan13, thanks! I'll try that as well. Frustrating as this is THE feature I love about this boat over our 2016 that we traded in. When it works, it's heaven.

I haven't been able to check the canbus screen yet, so gotta get that done. Also have another annoying issue (twice over the past month): on start-up the "Tower" (I think - poked all of them, but seemed to be the soft circuit) breaker has opened which is quickly obvious because the camera is in-op (as well as the manual thruster actuation it turns out). Now I'm wondering if the two issues are tied as it appears the thruster (or the control) is on the same circuit.

Could you please point me to the Nautique service document you found ... perhaps that's the ticket?

[Cpan13]

DM me your email and I’ll forward the PDF. The cable I check was from the PPC to the thruster motor, so I doubt it will resolve your tower issue.

[Rhodes2nowhere]

Watch the battery voltage while using it. If it drops below a certain voltage it will shut off the thrusters. I had the same issue and learned its a voltage shut off. When the batteries are low its even worse.

[morrow]

Can someone send me the document, or is there a diagram with what to look at? Mine isn't working, after service this past fall, and I'm trying to figure out if there is anything that wasn't re-connected. I called the service center and they were less than helpful. Unfortunately to drop it of is a 14 hour process so trying to avoid a trip back.

Is there a picture or diagram showing the relay that someone mentioned?

I've replaced both batteries. (Showing 14.1v)
The CanBus shows that comms are ok.

Thanks

[Gtsum2]

We had issues with our Thruster working properly several times. Dealer finally swapped out the entire motor for it and it has been fine since..but outs would work half the time and the other half (usually when wind was blowing at 20mph and I am trying to get it into the boathouse) it wouldnt work. Like I said, they eventually replaced the entire thing on ours (20 G23)