Autohelm 5000 Boat going in circles; Hunter 40

Hi there I thought I should ask this group; members with an Autohelm 5000
that have experienced their boat going in circles while endevoring to make
the autopilot work and what they did to get it to do what it i ssuposed to
do....

Is the controller defective? a nor and gate needs replacement? The fluxgate
compass is close to a magnetic article?

Followed the owners manual for setting it up ?

Pondering replacement - Navman system to go with the 3100 series instruments
already purchased and sent back for warranty - which do work well otherwise
including nema

Thanks Glenn Strazds