LASAR ignition fault code 16

[GWZ]

Wow, this has been a valuable discussion. I'm going to the hangar tonight and look that connector over again, also I discovered my primer ports were completely clogged so that may have contributed to the hard starting. I'm sure my tach works so maybe that means the box is not (completely) dead. I'm also an Elect Eng and have been thinking of opening that box up to see if it's anything obvious. Back in 98 I'll bet they were using a lot of discrete components. If it's temperature related though I'd have to make a test fixture of some sort to get it working on the bench to be able to go at it with a heat gun/freeze spray.

Gunther

[Bob Axsom]

The controller box is fairly good size but I don't think 1998 is so far back that you can depend on a lot of discrete components - we were using ICs in the 70s. Just from the shape I would expect to find two or three stacked printed circuit assemblies, maybe multilayer, as the major structural implementation. You will probably find some resisters and capacitors there but I would expect all of the active components to be ICs. Without a schematic, parts list and wiring diagram you are just playing shade tree mechanic. I doubt that there is anything wrong with your controller at all ... at this point.

Bob Axsom

[GWZ]

Hi Bob, you are correct of course, I was just hoping for something obvious, like a fried resistor or blown up cap or maybe even an internal fuse. I removed the connector and looked it over again, it looks clean. I tried to start it and no luck at all. That's good really, having something intermittent is worse than a total failure (at least on the ground). Do any of you on this thread have an opinion of what my LASAR mags might be worth? they have 460 hrs and have an 03xxxxx serial number which puts them in the "repairable" category (in slicks eyes anyway) and out of the S/N ranges that are affected by the SBs. I've really enjoyed the super quick starts and the performance the LASAR system has given me so I'm still considering an electronic ignition. I really like the looks of the P-Mag and am watching the forum closely for problems with the 114 version. My unofficial survey at Osh showed that over half the people I happened to talk to were running one mag and one EI (most were running the Lightspeed).
Gunther

[GWZ]

Hi Rivethead, the big problem with the LASAR system is that unless you have the "Bush Kit" neither of the mags has an impulse coupler, so if the box dies in flight you are ok (the system falls back to mags as you describe) but when you land you can't get the engine started (ask me how I know!). I don't believe it's correct or normal for the light to come on at low speed. As described earlier in this thread that light should only come on during the start up procedure or if there is a problem with the system.
Gunther