[n86121]

Mine just finally died. No response to heading, or pitch.

I replaced all the capacitors with modern, higher temp, higher voltage components.

I noted in some cases a remarkable difference between what was specified in manual and what actually came out. Cessna probably realized that back when the airplane was made, but updating the manuals with FAA approval probably too complicated.

In most cases the capacitors are used to DC isolate AC signals between amplifiers.
In these cases a bit more is better, because of lower impedance at the useful frequency.

A few serve as power supply filters. More is better.

Even basic modern components have higher temperature and higher voltage. All good.

Autopilot was still screwball. No responses.

I even bought spares on ebay, but couldn't get it to behave right.
Got ONE flight with an aileron servo, then it failed.

It took a while, Autopilots Central has the entire bench setup to test, calibrate etc, and actually know what they are doing.

Randy said 'he might have his brain wiped' after doing mine. Assuming he hasn't, I was impressed with their understanding and error chasing.

I simply removed the 'computer' (located above rearmost seats in headliner), both wing servos (pull the servos but leave the mechanical bits in place), and the control head by your knee and sent them in. Pretty easy to do.

Remember to wire tie electrical cables etc out of the way so they don't hangup on anything.

Once re-installed, works just fine fine.

Slight porpoising on altitude hold was easily eliminated with gentle tweak to increase 'altimeter gain' adjustment on computer, as manual suggested in post-installation setup.