Failure to crank
Hi:
I'm going through the Van's Aircraft Production Acceptance Procedures for my RV-12iS. I ran into a problem today. The starter circuit won't engage.
This particular step in the PAP calls for a test of the wing pin sensors. When the wing pin is not secured, it should override the ignition module.
The red button on the ignition module is on and the wing pin is removed from its secure position. Turn the key. Nothing. Good. Put the wing pin back in its secure spot, the red light goes out, turn the key. Nothing.
Multiple attempts over several days revealed the same results. I also tried with the EMS battery on. Nothing.
I went over the wiring and everything is as it should be. I checked continuity to be sure there was no wire break and, again, everything is fine.
I removed the second G3X unit to be sure the HIC module is secure and to get a look at the LED light. It glows the bright white. I did have a couple of times when I tried today where it was green. Why it was green, and later went back to white, I don't know. (See picture)
Checked all fuses in the panel and in the ROTAX fuse box and all are OK.
As you can see in the attached picture, the LANE A fault light is on. But that's because the bottom cowl is off and disconnected from the air filter, etc. One thing you'll note above is the red "X" on the oil pressure. Although I haven't done a lot of looking at the G3X with Lane B on, this is the first time I recall seeing that "X". I checked the connection with the oil pressure sensor and it is fine. (See picture)
Are these two separate issues? Or are they somehow related? Who knows.
I did upgrade the HIC, following Van's SB-00058. However, the reported problems that spawned that service bulletin were related to the fuel pump (which might explain the fuel pumps cutting out after about 15 seconds when I tested them the other day. I hadn't experienced that before and just did a lengthy fuel flow test last week) rather than the failure to crank at all. I have not yet done a firmware update on the ignition module (as required by Van's Service Letter SL-00072) although I ordered the part several weeks ago. I believe it's stuck in Van's new "grouping orders" process.
My question here: does any of this sound like something the firmware upgrade would solve (yes, it's pre-2023)? Or do I just have a bad ignition module. I'm not real keen on spending $423 to find out, and start buying and installing parts not knowing where exactly the problem lies.
Any advice you can provide would be very much appreciated.