Ignition key seems to have stopped working

[hollygreengrass]

Hi, I've just purchased a used RV12 so I'm a newbie to the plane and group. I want to make sure I'm using the forum correctly and not posting in the wrong place or wasting anyone's time. Please provide advice /guidance for me if this not how I should be doing this. I tried to search for existing threads on this topic. In addition, I'm not sure if should be posting this under RV12 or in the engine section.

RV12 has been starting up nicely every couple days with no issues. Today, when i turned the key, nothing happened. No clicks, no turn over, just silence. Battery was 12.3V. Troubleshooting (done by others, not me) have determined starter is working when it gets power, same for solenoid, and starter relay and they suggested I ask this group. Ohmmeter seems to indicate the ignition switch is functional but power not getting to the starter system. If there are additional ways to troubleshoot to help find the problem, I would really appreciate any suggestions. I'm not mechanic, so I'll need to find a local shop that works on Rotax, but thought you experts may have suggestions for me to further narrow down possible culprits. thanks in advance

 

[rvbuilder2002]

You are posting in the right place

It sounds like you have outside help that is at least somewhat savvy with a digital volt ohm meter….
Go to this page on the Vans Aircraft website and scroll down to the links for the electrical system schematic diagrams, and download the one appropriate for your specific airplane

Downloads - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes

Van’s provides a variety of downloadable items in support of kits and flying aircraft. Choose from the type of downloads you need below. RV-12/12iS avionics software downloads Dynon Skyview Garmin G3X Dynon D180 RV-12 and RV-12iS Electrical System Diagrams RV-12 misc. documents Canopy Warning...

www.vansaircraft.com

That should provide enough info for your helper(s) to dig a bit deeper than they have up until this point.
You didn’t mention whether the spa pin warning light was lighted, or if pressing that button and turning the key causes the engine to crank with the starter.
If it does, then your issue is related to one or both of the sensors that detects that the spa pins are properly installed and secured.

 

[AZSteve053]

RV12 has been starting up nicely every couple days with no issues. Today, when i turned the key, nothing happened. No clicks, no turn over, just silence. Battery was 12.3V. Troubleshooting (done by others, not me) have determined starter is working when it gets power, same for solenoid, and starter relay and they suggested I ask this group.

Find attached POH excerpt containing electrical drawing of a standard RV12, as Scott mentioned - the spar pins safety circuit may be preventing engine starter ops, or could also be 1 or more fuses blown (30A main fuse, 3A starter fuse...)
It would be good to tell us more Info like what IS working, are wings removed ?...
I also think that downloading from the Van's website is best source of drawings etc. Don't forget to register as the new owner on the Van's site so you can download all you need.

 

[whity1231$]

I had this happen one time. Pushed the spar override button and it turned over and started. Started looking around my spare pin sensor and noticed my seat belt male buckle was touching back by the magnetic sensor. Moved it and all okay!!

 

[cactusman]

Spar overide. Original planes had magnetic reed spar switches in main spar pins just behind seats prone to never working quite correctly, newer ones a push button system.

Failing that check the main c/b. There have been reports of a relay going bad in main board and switch failures too.

 

[Mich48041]

Magnetic reed switches work a whole lot better when the magnet is parallel to the reed switch, NOT perpendicular.
Magnetic Reed Switch Principals of Operation

 

[hollygreengrass]

Hi, I've just purchased a used RV12 so I'm a newbie to the plane and group. I want to make sure I'm using the forum correctly and not posting in the wrong place or wasting anyone's time. Please provide advice /guidance for me if this not how I should be doing this. I tried to search for existing threads on this topic. In addition, I'm not sure if should be posting this under RV12 or in the engine section.

RV12 has been starting up nicely every couple days with no issues. Today, when i turned the key, nothing happened. No clicks, no turn over, just silence. Battery was 12.3V. Troubleshooting (done by others, not me) have determined starter is working when it gets power, same for solenoid, and starter relay and they suggested I ask this group. Ohmmeter seems to indicate the ignition switch is functional but power not getting to the starter system. If there are additional ways to troubleshoot to help find the problem, I would really appreciate any suggestions. I'm not mechanic, so I'll need to find a local shop that works on Rotax, but thought you experts may have suggestions for me to further narrow down possible culprits. thanks in advance

Thanks for such fast and helpful replies. You guys were on it -spar pin. Ive been adding cushions etc messing with the seat a lot so I can reach rudder pedals better. Wondering if in that process I knocked something by sparpin switch out just enough because when I jiggled it, the spar pin warning disappeared.

 

[rvbuilder2002]

Thanks for such fast and helpful replies. You guys were on it -spar pin. Ive been adding cushions etc messing with the seat a lot so I can reach rudder pedals better. Wondering if in that process I knocked something by sparpin switch out just enough because when I jiggled it, the spar pin warning disappeared.

Good to hear that you isolated the problem.
If you had mentioned in your initial post that the spar pin warning light was lighted, we could have told just about for certain what the issue was.
If you weren’t given the Flight Training Supplement when you bought the airplane, I suggest downloading it from Vans web site.
It does a good job of describing the function of all of the different systems.