Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml@lancaironline.net Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 11:13:07 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from sccrmhc12.comcast.net ([204.127.202.56] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.2) with ESMTP id 376198 for lml@lancaironline.net; Tue, 24 Aug 2004 09:18:53 -0400 Received-SPF: none receiver=logan.com; client-ip=204.127.202.56; envelope-from=olsen25@comcast.net Received: from pavilion (c-24-9-81-190.client.comcast.net[24.9.81.190]) by comcast.net (sccrmhc12) with SMTP id <2004082413182101200p9nkqe>; Tue, 24 Aug 2004 13:18:21 +0000 From: "Dan & Kari Olsen" X-Original-To: Subject: VM fuel sensor flakey X-Original-Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 07:18:05 -0600 X-Original-Message-ID: <009601c489dc$cd769e50$6401a8c0@pavilion> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0097_01C489AA.82DC2E50" X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.3416 Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1441 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0097_01C489AA.82DC2E50 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings, Well, I went out to fly my 320 last night and was disappointed to find that the left VisionMicro fuel gauge showed no reading at all (like it was disconnected). In the limited time I had available I began hunting for the problem with the following performed: * Checked all connections (reseated connectors, etc.) - no change * Disassembled the D-sub connector at the VM I/O board to check for shorts - none found * Removed the pins from the D-sub and connected the right fuel probe (known good one) to the inputs for the left gauge. The left gauge read the correct level in the right tank. Conclusion: VM computer is okay and either wiring or probe to left side is bad. Then, as I was about to leave for the night I recalled some discussion on the list a couple years ago that started when Rick Argente flew in some rain and his VM fuel levels went nuts. Well, guess what? My last flight (4 days ago) was in actual IMC with about 40 minutes of significant rain and taxi, take-off, and landing on wet pavement. This sure is looking like a leading contender. In the last few minutes at the hangar I warmed the wheel well area around the fuel probe with a heat gun but that was not enough to bring back a reading. If it is water inside some heat shrink or something, I will likely need more forceful drying out. Have any others of you had a similar problem and, if so, how did you seal up the probe to keep this from happening again? Best Regards, Dan Olsen ------=_NextPart_000_0097_01C489AA.82DC2E50 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Greetings,

 

Well, I went out to fly my 320 last night and was disappointed to find that the left VisionMicro fuel gauge showed no = reading at all (like it was disconnected).  In the limited time I had = available I began hunting for the problem with the following = performed:

  • Checked all connections (reseated connectors, = etc.) – no change
  • Disassembled the D-sub connector at the VM I/O = board to check for shorts – none found
  • Removed the pins from the D-sub and connected = the right fuel probe (known good one) to the inputs for the left gauge.  = The left gauge read the correct level in the right tank.  = Conclusion: VM computer is okay and either wiring or probe to left side is = bad.

 

Then, as I was about to leave for the night I = recalled some discussion on the list a couple years ago that started when Rick Argente = flew in some rain and his VM fuel levels went nuts.  Well, guess = what?  My last flight (4 days ago) was in actual IMC with about 40 minutes of = significant rain and taxi, take-off, and landing on wet pavement.  This sure is = looking like a leading contender…

 

In the last few minutes at the hangar I warmed the = wheel well area around the fuel probe with a heat gun but that was not enough = to bring back a reading.  If it is water inside some heat shrink or something, I will likely need more forceful drying = out.

 

Have any others of you had a similar problem and, if = so, how did you seal up the probe to keep this from happening = again?

 

Best Regards,

 

Dan Olsen

------=_NextPart_000_0097_01C489AA.82DC2E50--