Engine won't start

[3Dreaming]

I think the ignition upgrade kit that you linked to is no longer available from Rotax, at least not at the special pricing shown in the link.

[BrianL99]

I think the ignition upgrade kit that you linked to is no longer available from Rotax, at least not at the special pricing shown in the link.

I spoke to someone at Lockwood today and they told me they had them in stock at that price ... but she also seemed a bit confused if the "kit" contained 1 or 2 modules.

[MrMorden]

At the suggestion of Bill Canino, we also tried switching the ignition modules. Well, not exactly "switching" the modules, we just switched the connections. This didn't make any difference. Under normal circumstances, can't one properly operating module start the engine? So this would indicate that both modules are bad?

Yeah, if one dies, the plane will still start normally on the remaining starter circuit. It's only when both starter circuits fail that the airplane won't start. At that point switching one failed module for the other failed module doesn't really help.

If you can find the soft start upgrade kit including both modules for the ~$1000 price, snatch it up. I think they are getting hard to find, and as you noted it's half the cost of the individual modules.

[3Dreaming]

I think the ignition upgrade kit that you linked to is no longer available from Rotax, at least not at the special pricing shown in the link.

I spoke to someone at Lockwood today and they told me they had them in stock at that price ... but she also seemed a bit confused if the "kit" contained 1 or 2 modules.

If they have the kit snatch it up. I was told by the Midwest Rotax distributor last September that Rotax was doing away with the special pricing for the kit.

[BrianL99]

So I ordered the "kit" from Lockwood today ... they had 8 kits in stock.

I also talked with one of their Tech guys, who told me I could be just about 100% certain I needed new Modules, if the "ice bag" cure worked.

I thought the modules were "plug and play", about apparently there's some "wiring" necessary? I suppose I'll find out tomorrow, when the modules show up.

$974 for (2) is a lot better than $1000 each.

[FastEddieB]

One extra wire needs to be run from each connector to the starter solenoid. That's it.

There's a pdf somewhere on this site with the instructions - it's pretty straightforward.

[BrianL99]

I'll search for it.

Thanks Eddie!

Can't find the .pdf. Does anyone have a clue where it might be?

[3Dreaming]

The kit will come with the parts for the connectors and instructions, just add wire and a piggy back spade. To make the crimps you should have a Molex type crimper.

[MrMorden]

Is there a way to test the modules? In other words, force the engine to start on one module, then the other?

All the failures have made me paranoid, and I don't want to have mine fail when the two module upgrade kit is no longer available...

[BrianL99]

Lockwood can test them for you.

Just speculation on my part, but it seems you should be able to disconnect them one at a time & try to start the engine on each one.

[FastEddieB]

Is there a way to test the modules? In other words, force the engine to start on one module, then the other?

All the failures have made me paranoid, and I don't want to have mine fail when the two module upgrade kit is no longer available...

Andy,

Rather than unplugging the modules...

How about putting your switch in the #1 position (grounding IGN2) and starting by shorting the big terminals on the starter solenoid or just providing 12v to the small terminal. Then do the same thing with the switch in the #2 position.

CAUTION: I would not attempt this without a second person in the pilot's seat.

I'm lucky in that my starter is separate from my two IGN switches, which are simple toggles. But starting on one or the other once in a while does seem to make sense.