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Thread: Autopilot malfunction engage/disengage nonstop now

  1. #1

    Autopilot malfunction engage/disengage nonstop now

    Here is a question I need to get some suggestions on.
    My 6 year old AFS built panel has an ACM, an AP control panel as well as the interface in the AFS 5600T screen to control two Dynon servos.
    Over the last couple of years I've experienced an occasional uncommanded engage or disengage of the AP while flying.
    This has become somewhat more frequent but still at the level of just annoying.
    In my last two flights, this has become a nonstop "AP engage" and "AP disengage" that I can't stop.
    I can override the servos with force.
    I had to go to the check/elec page and power off the servos to gain control last week.
    It seems to be the roll servo only but the pitch servo might be acting up too.
    I opened up the cockpit and checked the connections at the servos and made sure the cables were all straight and correctly positioned.
    As a test, I went to altitude, then powered up the servos and the uncommanded engage/disengage cycle started again immediately.
    The cycle is about every one or two seconds.
    Any thoughts or suggestions?
    Ring out the wires? Replace the harness? Send in the servo for maintenance?
    Until then I'll just fly the old way.
    Mike

  2. #2
    In your case I maybe way out in left field but If it were me I would check the disconnect wire from the servo to the stick disconnect switch for for an intermittent ground.

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  3. #3
    Larco
    Thanks for the feedback! I don't think you are in left field. Ringing out the wires to find a ground fault was on the list for me.
    Confirmation helps prioritize my work. When I tear into this and do the needed surgery I want to check everyones ideas.
    Thanks again.
    Mike

  4. #4
    Please let us know what you come up with. Larry

  5. #5
    Here's a note to close this thread.
    I cycled the electronic setings several times for the servos again.
    I disassembled my stick grip and exercised all the switches looking for anything which would stick.
    I examined all the wiring without finding an obvious short to ground anywhere.
    Since then I've flown it three times without incident.
    I'm inclined to believe the control manual steering switch on the stick grip was sticking.
    If it happens again I'll swap it with an unused switch on the grip and see if that fixes it.
    Blue skies
    Mike

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