My O-320 Won't Start

[deek]

Originally Posted by Towline

If you had a 1x mag and 1x Plasma system, which would you start on?

I have exactly this with the Bendix version of the ACS switch. I start with both the impulse coupled mag on the "Left", LSE on the "Right". There's a jumper to install/remove on the back of the Bendix switch that either enables/defeats the right side when in "Start" switch position. It's easy to wring out the wiring/jumper if you remove the switch and play with it and a VOM.

[Robert Anglin]

Originally Posted by Mel

Oops, Did I just tell my age?

No, your still very young. I still have a points file in one tool box that's about 50 years old. I think you can still order them from Snap-On. I liked to use 600-800 wet dry sand paper and then clean up with note-book paper, so you can see the carbon clean a way on the white paper. Then re-set the air gap.
Your just a young guy, "wipper-snapper". Yours, R.E.A. III # 80888

[Towline]

So - last night we wired the Plasma unit to the LEFT key position and she started straight away.

Mag drops are fine on both sides, but I did note that the engine skipped a beat when turning the key from the Mag (R) to Plasma (L). It felt almost as though the key was grounding both R and L for a fraction of a second. The Mag is connected to the R terminal with the jumper still in place. If we remove the jumper will that mean that L and R both participate in the start?

My theory is we have a little key issue to sort out and the impulse coupling and mag need a check, as the magneto works when the engine fires but the magneto will not start the engine on its own.

Anyway - I've clearly put this thread in the wrong forum as the Plasma box is fine Thank goodness I didn't ring Klaus and have a moan..

[Mel]

Originally Posted by Robert Anglin

No, your still very young. I still have a points file in one tool box that's about 50 years old. I think you can still order them from Snap-On. I liked to use 600-800 wet dry sand paper and then clean up with note-book paper, so you can see the carbon clean a way on the white paper. Then re-set the air gap.
Your just a young guy, "wipper-snapper". Yours, R.E.A. III # 80888

Are you saying that everyone doesn't have a points file? My points file is laying in the drawer right next to my dwell meter.

[deek]

Originally Posted by Towline

So - last night we wired the Plasma unit to the LEFT key position and she started straight away.

Mag drops are fine on both sides, but I did note that the engine skipped a beat when turning the key from the Mag (R) to Plasma (L). It felt almost as though the key was grounding both R and L for a fraction of a second. The Mag is connected to the R terminal with the jumper still in place. If we remove the jumper will that mean that L and R both participate in the start?

My theory is we have a little key issue to sort out and the impulse coupling and mag need a check, as the magneto works when the engine fires but the magneto will not start the engine on its own.

Anyway - I've clearly put this thread in the wrong forum as the Plasma box is fine Thank goodness I didn't ring Klaus and have a moan..

I too had the "quick skip" when I had the ACS version of the switch. I kept the ACS terminal back, and just mounted it to the guts and front end of a Bendix switch - voila, problem gone! Good you didn't have to listen to Klaus tell you to get rid of the key switch and use toggles

[Towline]

Well, we finally fixed the starting.

The mag came up to inspection time (500hr) and... the impulse coupling wasn't engaging.

New springs, capacitor and a few other items and she's running sweet now.

Next to fit a new switch.