Dash 8 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After takeoff I attempted to select PITCH mode from the FGC controller. I noticed that my selections were not being displayed on the 802 panel; and that the modes on the FGC became 'locked.' I was also not able to clear the flight director; and the flight director was giving inaccurate directions. I tried several times to select different modes as well as tried to disengage the flight director without success. Once we discovered the issue; we looked into the non-normal checklist to determine what/if any actions could be taken. We discovered there was no checklist available and decided to contact company as we were approaching IMC and very low ceilings at our destination. After speaking with Maintenance Control; it was determined that there was no way to clear the flight director in the air. After speaking with dispatch and my first officer; we determined the best course of action was to return to [departure airport] because the weather at our alternate would require us to enter IMC conditions which we did not feel comfortable doing.
Dash-8 Captain reported returning to the departure airport after losing autoflight capability.