Starter problem - AOG

Any DA40 related topics

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

User avatar
Tim H
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 453
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:44 pm
First Name: Tim
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N233MA
Airports: KMGY
Been thanked: 34 times

Starter problem - AOG

Post by Tim H »

After two 3 hr legs I landed at my destination. Topped off and went to taxi to the tiedown area. When I tried to engage the starter all I heard was a single "click". Turned the master off and back on and tried again. Same results (a single "click"). As I recall, the voltage shows 23.8 volts. Any thoughts?? I'm six hours from my home station. Thanks.
User avatar
Victor
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 74
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:52 am
First Name: Victor
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N519DS
Airports: KHIO
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Victor »

How loud is the click? Can be solenoid or starter itself. Check big wire connection between the starter and the battery as well.
User avatar
Thomas
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:20 pm
First Name: Thomas
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: D-ENMA 40.337
Airports: LSZC BUOCHS SWITZERLAND
Has thanked: 91 times
Been thanked: 62 times

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Thomas »

Tim, Sounds like the Starter itsef is the trouble maker. Had the same a few years ago, it happens allways away from homebase. I had to replace the starter. (it was on a C172 then).
Good luck. Thomas
User avatar
Bartek
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 49
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:28 pm
First Name: Bartek
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: D-GJHO
Airports: EPOM
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Bartek »

I am afraid looks like a dead starter Tim. To make sure you can check voltage passage from the selenoid to the starter. If once you engage the ignition there is 24 V passed from selenoid to the sterter - then looks like confirmed, starter motor seems to be broken. Quite probably your starter is SkyTec 149-24LS.
Take care,
Bartek
User avatar
Tim H
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 453
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:44 pm
First Name: Tim
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N233MA
Airports: KMGY
Been thanked: 34 times

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Tim H »

Thanks for the replies. Just got off the phone with the A&P/IA. He cannot duplicate. He started it many times today without fail. Even ran it for awhile and got it hot and it restarted. Yesterday when I had my problem the plane was hot (6 hrs flying) and it was hot outside (91F). Not sure where to go from here. My battery is original (6 yrs old) so I'm thinking a new battery might be warranted when I get home.


Thanks again for all the replies.
Antoine
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2043
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:00 pm
First Name: Antoine
Aircraft Type: OTHER
Aircraft Registration: N121AG
Airports: LSGG
Has thanked: 87 times
Been thanked: 220 times

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Antoine »

Tim I am not an expert but here is my point of view. Engine starters use an electro-magnet to physically engage the starter motor. What you are describing sounds like a typical failure pattern of this solenoid. I would at the very least carry a spare starter along, or even preventively have it replaced. I have already seen the starter fail on a DA40, and it was making this same tick you describe.
User avatar
Erik
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 439
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:53 pm
First Name: Erik
Aircraft Type: DA40
Airports:
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Erik »

That happened to my airplane at 100 hours ago at ~1600hrs. Same click sound. Starter motors is one of those things that can go out sometimes in airplanes
User avatar
Graham
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 295
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:35 pm
First Name: Graham
Aircraft Type: DA40
Airports: CYKZ
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Graham »

I had this happen with my plane at less than 10hrs a couple of times. It would just click and then nothing. A mechanic had a look at it and got it to work by touching the wire attachment points with a second battery. The starter jumped a bit, he put the cowl back on and everything was fine. However, my home base mechanic decided he didn't like what was happening and changed it a the 25hr check. He did say the starter can develop a bit of a dead spot or a burr that causes it not to work.
User avatar
Charles
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 638
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:36 pm
First Name: Charles
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: C-FLEV
Airports: CYHU
Has thanked: 27 times
Been thanked: 96 times

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Charles »

Had a similar thing happen in a DA-20 during my training. The big cable between the solenoid and the starter had a loose connection and not enough current could flow to the starter. The A&P tighthened the connection and everything was fine. Took 10 minutes to troubleshoot and fix.
User avatar
Henrikl
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:05 pm
First Name: Henrikl
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: D-EZDC
Airports: EDHL

Re: Starter problem - AOG

Post by Henrikl »

Had a similar problem few flights ago. Arrived at the destination and when restarting to return 30 minutes later i heard the click and nothing. It seemed like a dead spot. I turned the prop just an inch and started again. It started right away and i haven't had a problem since.
EHL
Post Reply