ECU Test Failure

Discussions specific to Austro engines

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

Post Reply
User avatar
Stephan
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:24 pm
First Name: Stephan
Aircraft Type: DA40NG
Aircraft Registration: N275SB
Airports: KNEW
Been thanked: 10 times

ECU Test Failure

Post by Stephan »

Twice recently, the ECU test button has failed to initiate the test. Both times, we’ve gotten off the taxi-way, shut down, restarted, and the test ran normally. A/C off, windows open, heat on and off, etc. I cannot figure out this intermittent failure. Anyone else experience something similar, or anything dumb I am missing?
User avatar
VickersPilot
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:41 pm
First Name: Dave
Aircraft Type: DA62
Aircraft Registration: N00TBC
Airports:
Has thanked: 51 times
Been thanked: 80 times

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by VickersPilot »

Check the conditions in the Austro Operating Manual. I don’t recall them all offhand but for initiation of the test, the sensor position of the throttle (not the throttle but the sensor!) <5%, Gearbox Temp >35C degrees, WoW sensor showing on ground etc.

Perhaps colder temps meaning gearbox cold?
User avatar
chili4way
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 523
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:51 pm
First Name: Paul
Aircraft Type: DA40NG
Aircraft Registration: N718NG
Airports: KADS
Has thanked: 1057 times
Been thanked: 482 times

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by chili4way »

Yes, I agree with VickersPilot. Make sure everything on the engine page is "in the green" (possible exception of oil pressure in the yellow at idle) before initiating the "runup" - especially oil, coolant, and gearbox temperatures. Otherwise, you may see the behavior you described, including having to re-start the engine. I experienced this once with another pilot flying the plane who started the ECU test too soon.
User avatar
tjmoody
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 93
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:52 pm
First Name: Trevor
Aircraft Type: DA42-VI
Aircraft Registration: N62DL
Airports: KRNT
Has thanked: 124 times
Been thanked: 68 times

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by tjmoody »

I've had this experience recently as well. I'm pretty confident that it was simply as a result of me trying to initiate the ECU test with some of the engine temps just outside the green range. I noticed this occurred as ambient temps have dropped so the engine temps have a lower starting point and have not reached the same levels by the time I am ready to conduct the ECU test. I didn't need to shut the engines down. Just waited a minute or 2 for the temps to get in the green range.
ecu poh.PNG
User avatar
Boatguy
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 1827
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:48 am
First Name: Russ
Aircraft Type: DA62
Aircraft Registration: N962M
Airports: KSTS
Has thanked: 1327 times
Been thanked: 1163 times

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by Boatguy »

Besides temps, the throttle must be pulled all the way back. I'm pretty sure it won't run if the power is forward any amount.
User avatar
Stephan
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:24 pm
First Name: Stephan
Aircraft Type: DA40NG
Aircraft Registration: N275SB
Airports: KNEW
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by Stephan »

You guys are awesome! Heading out now and will report back.
User avatar
VickersPilot
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:41 pm
First Name: Dave
Aircraft Type: DA62
Aircraft Registration: N00TBC
Airports:
Has thanked: 51 times
Been thanked: 80 times

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by VickersPilot »

ECUtest.png
User avatar
Stephan
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:24 pm
First Name: Stephan
Aircraft Type: DA40NG
Aircraft Registration: N275SB
Airports: KNEW
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by Stephan »

It was the gear box oil temperature.
speedbird16
1 Diamond Member
1 Diamond Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2022 6:40 am
First Name: Amirul
Aircraft Type: DA40NG
Aircraft Registration: 9MKEN
Airports: WMKJ

Re: ECU Test Failure

Post by speedbird16 »

Achieve the correct parameters before initiate the ECU test are essential. I faced few problem with these issues recently when our pilot did not meet the required parameters then the ECU turned out FAILED. Through Engine Maintenance Manual, requirements to meet certain criteria before test carried out also important. And yes it does happen many times but with correct practices it would not happen
Post Reply