Steering Wheel Chatter Upon Startup

[stumppster]

I am new to boating and have a 2022 Nautique G23 with ~460 hours on it. Upon taking receipt of the boat the dealer performed a full service and have only put on about 20 hours myself during the last 15 or so months. Yesterday during the electrical startup (not mechanical; after pushing the start button only once) the steering wheel chattered back and forth rapidly with small movements for about 8-10 seconds and then stopped. I thought it was perhaps just a one off and headed out. After getting to fast water my electronic power steering was gone and was like driving a car from the good ole days . I immediately turned off the engine and shutdown the electrical system for 10-15 minutes, turned on only the electrical system back on with the engine still off, and the steering wheel chattered back and forth only 1-2 seconds this time. I have repeated this process a few times and still the steering wheel chatters for about only a second now. What does that mean and has anyone experienced this before? I appreciate everyone’s comments in advance, thanks!

[NautiqueJeff]

This means that you need to recalibrate the power steering. Here's the procedure:

Calibration Steps

Finding True Steering Center

• Count the Rotations: Turn the steering wheel completely to one side (lock), then spin it completely to the other side while counting the full rotations. It should be roughly 4.2 total rotations.
• Find the Midpoint: Divide that total number by 2 (typically 2.1 rotations).
• Set the Wheel: Turn the wheel back from the lock position by exactly that midpoint amount and stop. Your steering wheel is now perfectly centered.

Initializing Calibration Mode

• Cycle Ignition Power: Turn the ignition power (NOT starting the engine) on and off 5 times within 3 seconds, stopping on the 5th cycle with the ignition left ON. This requires pressing Start and Stop four times, with one additional push of start, leaving it with the ignition on but the engine NOT running. You should NOT be starting and stopping the actual engine. Just cycling the ignition.
• Let It Vibrate: The steering wheel will begin to vibrate, indicating it has successfully initialized calibration mode. Do not touch the wheel while it is actively vibrating.

Setting the Lock-to-Lock Limits

• First End Turn: Once the haptic vibration stops, smoothly turn the steering wheel all the way to one end of its stroke and apply slight force against that limit.
• Opposite End Turn: Smoothly return the wheel all the way to the other side and apply slight force against that end of the stroke.
• Return to Center: Return the steering wheel to its straight-forward center position.

[stumppster]

@NautiqueJeff

You are an absolute legend, that did the trick, thank you!!!

For my 2022 it was 4.67 turns or 2.33 turns to center from either side and thought I would clarify for future if anyone else comes across the same issue on a newer boat. Thank you again for taking the time to provide such a thoughtful response, you saved me a ton of headache!

[NautiqueJeff]

Glad it worked out!