Stevea
Well Known Member
First engine start LASAR ignition problem - No spark
I have made several unsuccessful attempts at a first engine start. So far no success at turning avgas into airplane noise.
Here is what I have:
Lycoming O-360-A1A with factory installed Unison (now Champion Aerospace) LASAR ignition system. This system is NOT equipped with the "bush kit" (impulse coupling).
Here is what has been tested, inspected, etc.:
Anyone else run into this type of failure, or have any idea on what to test next?
I have made several unsuccessful attempts at a first engine start. So far no success at turning avgas into airplane noise.
Here is what I have:
Lycoming O-360-A1A with factory installed Unison (now Champion Aerospace) LASAR ignition system. This system is NOT equipped with the "bush kit" (impulse coupling).
Here is what has been tested, inspected, etc.:
- Verified NO spark from a plug lead while cranking.
- The "Backup Ignition Mode" panel warning light does not go out after cranking for 3 blades, indicating the control box is not coming on line.
- The wiring installation, including the keyed start/mag switch and the LASAR low voltage harness, is correct and tests OK.
- No opens.
- No shorts.
- The box has 12V.
- The keyed switch is wired correctly, and tests OK.
- There are no pushed or damaged contacts in the LASAR low voltage harness.
- The mags are grounded at the engine, per LASAR installation instructions SL1-96.
- The mag timing is correct when checked using the LASAR T-300 timing box.
- After discussions with Joe L. at Champion Aerospace, the control box was returned to them for testing. It tested OK.
- The LASAR control box is sensitive to low bus voltage while cranking. Bus voltage too low = control box will not run = no spark. Tried the following as a work around for possible low bus voltage:
- Pull the LASAR breaker, crank the engine for about a second, then close the breaker to get past the initial voltage drop caused by the starter inrush current. No start.
- Temporarily wired the control box to its own fully charged 12v battery, separate from the starting battery. No start.
Anyone else run into this type of failure, or have any idea on what to test next?