Flap indicator light replacement

[ThomasD]

The green flap indicator light on my DA40 has failed (with G1000 panel). I've had a look at the AMM - no mention - and a quick look in the plane itself and it looks quite a job to replace the light - no way to access from underneath the instrument panel, so it seems the top cover of the instrument panel has to come off then reach down behind the panel to get to the light?

Any suggestions appreciated on an easy way to replace the light?

Thanks

[Jean]

Hi Thomas,
Replacing a flaps indicator bulb is not too complicated.
You first have to unplug the plastic colored cap from the flaps indicators. You don't need to go underneath the panel, just pull it out with a pair of small pliers.
You then have to pull the bulb out very carefully to avoid breaking it (that's what I did !).
The bulb type is a telephone indicator light 24v .02a T5.5X22mm. I bought some at http://www.lampco.co.uk for 1.60 BP last year. You should find that on internet.

[Rick]

Two of our flap position bulbs burned out last year in our '40. The part number for the bulb is T4.6-24-20 and they are easily replaceable. This is a 'standard' bulb size - the part number all over the internet, for roughly a dollar each (plus shipping). Here is one place: http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/ ... LLIPUT.htm

You can pry off the lens cover with a small flat-blade screwdriver of the edge of a knife. The tricky part is removing the old bulb. I found if you strip an inch or two of insulation off a piece of 12g copper wire, it is exactly the right diameter to push over the end of the bulb - then a slight tug on the insulation pulls the bulb right out!

[ThomasD]

Rick, Jean,

That's great, thanks so much for the really helpful replies!

Much appreciated,

Tom

[Star57]

All 3 lights are out! Whats up with that? I have ordered 3 bulbs, I'm surprised that all 3 are gone Any ideas anyone ?

Thanks

[Rick]

All 3 lights are out! Whats up with that? I have ordered 3 bulbs, I'm surprised that all 3 are gone Any ideas anyone ?

Thanks

Frank,

See if your left dimmer switch is maybe not all the way to the left, past the click. The dimmer switch also dims the flap lights. That is much more likely the problem then all 3 lights burning out at the same time!

[Gnomad]

See if your left dimmer switch is maybe not all the way to the left, past the click. The dimmer switch also dims the flap lights. That is much more likely the problem then all 3 lights burning out at the same time!

This happened to me. Thought the bulb was out, asked the mechanic to fix it during an oil change. Was quite embarrassed when he calls to say my dimmer switch was turned down.

I was happy he didn't charge me to turn it back up!

Eric

[Moonshine]

Concur with the dimmer hypothesis

[Star57]

All 3 lights are out! Whats up with that? I have ordered 3 bulbs, I'm surprised that all 3 are gone Any ideas anyone ?

Thanks

Frank,

See if your left dimmer switch is maybe not all the way to the left, past the click. The dimmer switch also dims the flap lights. That is much more likely the problem then all 3 lights burning out at the same time!

Im going to the Hangar again, I even removed the G1000 LRU...its reachble with it out but the dimming seems to be the problem, if it is I'll be...

[Star57]

All 3 lights are out! Whats up with that? I have ordered 3 bulbs, I'm surprised that all 3 are gone Any ideas anyone ?

Thanks

Frank,

See if your left dimmer switch is maybe not all the way to the left, past the click. The dimmer switch also dims the flap lights. That is much more likely the problem then all 3 lights burning out at the same time!

Im going to the Hangar again, I even removed the G1000 LRU...its reachble with it out but the dimming seems to be the problem, if it is I'll be...

Problem fixed! it was the internal diming, 3 spare bulbs as spares

Thank you for your help