Electric trim not working correctly

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curts63
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Electric trim not working correctly

Post by curts63 »

I went out for short flight and tried to adjust the trim with the buttons on the stick. The wheel would move in the "nose up" direction, but wouldn't go the other way. Anyone have any ideas? The mechanic said it wasn't the buttons on the stick, where to next? I'd like to fix it before I put it up for sale.

Also, I did my annual and replaced the battery pack in the instrument panel. Last time, someone wanted the old pack. Does anyone want this pack before I throw it away?

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Rich
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by Rich »

1. Make sure the trim wheel moves freely. The friction block in the back could be munged up and causing sticking.
2. I had an excess flap of leather under the copilot seat that would cause the trim mechanism to hang up. Trimming that leather away cured the problem. This was detectable in test 1, above.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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curts63
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by curts63 »

I'm able to move the trim wheel freely in either direction. It just won't move with a touch of the button, well at least not in one direction. it will trim up every time.

Curt
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jehan
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by jehan »

Hi,
Well on my A/C the switch did not move anything. I checked for a circuit breaker pop ... anticipating there will be one, but did not find one. Is there a circuit diagram or debug tip that can help me catch what might be wrong with it?
Thanks,
Jehan
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Rich
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by Rich »

jehan wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 12:23 pm Hi,
Well on my A/C the switch did not move anything. I checked for a circuit breaker pop ... anticipating there will be one, but did not find one. Is there a circuit diagram or debug tip that can help me catch what might be wrong with it?
Thanks,
Jehan
Wiring diagram DA4-9222-10-03 in the AMM. Could be munge in the up/down switch or a wire problem from that switch to the AP computer.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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curts63
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by curts63 »

Question, if I try to operate the trim button in either direction, it should disconnect the autopilot, correct?

Curt
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Rich
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by Rich »

curts63 wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 6:39 pm Question, if I try to operate the trim button in either direction, it should disconnect the autopilot, correct?

Curt
I seem to recall you could wind up with an AP "pitch trim fail" if the AP is on and you're trying to override its control of the trim.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Rick
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by Rick »

curts63 wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 6:39 pm Question, if I try to operate the trim button in either direction, it should disconnect the autopilot, correct?

Curt
Curt, you have the GFC700 AP correct? By "trim button" you mean the pair of trim switches on the stick, right? If so, then yes, moving either one of the two switches in either direction should disconnect the AP, the same as pushing the Big Red Button! That's how it is supposed to work. If that is NOT happening in your bird, then you are definitely on to something...
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Thomas
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by Thomas »

I had this problem twice in recent years, it cleared always with cleaning the friction damper of the elevator trim tab.
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wmbjenkins
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Re: Electric trim not working correctly

Post by wmbjenkins »

I have a similar issue currently in my DA 40. If I so much as touch the electric trim switch the G1000 immediately throws a Pitch Trim Fail error and which blocks the AP (GFC700) from engaging until cleared. Usually this clears easily by running the trim up and down electrically and sometimes, doing the same manually will work. Any thoughts appreciated.
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