G1000 intermittent Heading problems

[tdbristol]

Has anyone else experienced intermittent G1000 magnetometer/AHRS failures on the ground/in-flight, causing the Heading Indicator to red X? Particularly in very warm weather and/or after when the aircraft has been parked over steel tie-down wires? (Not fixed by pulling the CBs; sometimes 'fix themselves'. And of course no fault found when at the avionics organisation...)

[nav3]

I have a C182T -2008 model and have had 2 AHRS failures in flight...one in IMC !(Good practice though on standby's)! At first I thought there were spurious heading problems and then eventually the big red X appeared. This IS a known problem with Garmin 1000 ... AVwebFlash Complete Issue (http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/934-full.html#195931)


Have a look at that link and if you need anything else let me know.

Easlily rectified by an approved centre by changing the AHRS unit which takes longer to do the paperwork than the change itself. Make sure you have the G1000 system CD as they will need to re-install the software to the correct configuration from your aircraft.

[soay]

The first time I had that problem, on a DA40, it was fixed by replacing the right hand aileron to eliminate its steel counterbalance, and moving the magnetometer further out in the wing (see RSBD4-052/3 here (http://www.diamond-air.at/da40-tdi_sb+M52087573ab0.html)). However, it's started again, so this time I'm having the wiring to the magnetometer checked. Of course, it's behaved perfectly since I booked it in, but I'll let you know if they find anything.

[scooter boy]

I had a similar problem with my G1000 equiped aircraft 4 years ago. Funnily enough I only lost the heading/CDI at night (when I most needed it).
Turned out there was some kind of short between the NAV light wiring and the magnetometer/AHRS - hence it only happening at night.

The aircraft manufacturer produced an SB which rectified the problem.

Pain in the butt was I had to pay for the work! (parts were free)
This is the downside of buying an aircraft with what was (at that time) breakthrough technology - you become a test pilot and help them iron out the defects in the system.

SB

[borgie]

Hello Soay,
I am having a similar problem in a DA40 at the moment. i have replaced the GMU44, GRS77 and the config module. I am contemplating about relocating the GMU44. How did you end up going with your fault?
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

[The Grim EPR]

I had it in a DA40 and it turned out to be bent pins connecting the loom to one of the boxes that you mention.

I'm sorry that I can't remember which, but ask the avionics chaps to check the loom for chafing and to check all the pins.

It was an intermittent problem and often impossible to reproduce on the ground. I took a picture of it at FL100 with a thumbs down...

[Fuji Abound]

What aircraft?

The da40 problems mentioned hear i have experienced or heard of; they can take some fault finding so expect the red cross not to always go away after the first trip to the engineers in my experience.

[soay]

Hello Soay, I am having a similar problem in a DA40 at the moment. i have replaced the GMU44, GRS77 and the config module. I am contemplating about relocating the GMU44. How did you end up going with your fault? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Hello borgie, my magnetometer has behaved itself since I made that post in 2009. Diamond UK informed me that relocating the GMU44 was not a difficult job, so I recommend you go for it. It's equally important to replace the right hand aileron, if it has a steel counterbalance.

[diver-driver]

Hello Scooter Boy

We are having the same problem with the Heading Failure. We called the factory and they told us they do not have any SB out. Can you PLEASE help us out and tell us where you got the info or what you did?
Can you please email me!!!

Riaz

1 868 790 5277

[email protected]

[tdbristol]

After loads of time try ing to debug, turned out to be a simple set of bad crimps. Suggest you get this checked out first - as an example, with the problem I had [which had been looked at during two weeks by 4 avionics shops including the Dimaond factory in Canada], in the end IAE at Cranfield had it sorted in less than an hour (where others had spent days changing AHRS, magnetometer etc.) as IAE started at the 'simple' level of just checking the wiring properly first.

It is hard to do as it involves contortions to get into the various places in the wiring loom (and there are 4 connections between the AHRS in the rear avionics rack and the magnetometer in the wing) so lots of avionics shops seem to feel it is easier simply to swap units out in the rear avionics rack rather than properly trying the basics of checking reliable continuity at the connectors and pulling on the wiring into the connectors to see if the wires are secure.

[bill_c_27]

I have a C182T -2008 model and have had 2 AHRS failures in flight...one in IMC !(Good practice though on standby's)! At first I thought there were spurious heading problems and then eventually the big red X appeared. This IS a known problem with Garmin 1000 ... AVwebFlash Complete Issue (http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/934-full.html#195931)


Have a look at that link and if you need anything else let me know.

Easlily rectified by an approved centre by changing the AHRS unit which takes longer to do the paperwork than the change itself. Make sure you have the G1000 system CD as they will need to re-install the software to the correct configuration from your aircraft.

I have a Cessna 206T with G1000. The heading would intermittently fail with X over it during flight. Is there anyway I can test out the AHRS on my plane to make sure it is the problem before replacing it? Thanks.

[Tom Siegel]

I have a Cessna 206T with G1000 that has the same issue. Loosing Heading in the PFD for 2-5 min during flight (big red X for HDG and no compass rose) at random times during the flight. Ususally lasts less than 5 min. Exchanged the AHRS unit and that didn't fix the issue. Any tips and suggestions greatly appreciated.

[asb0774]

I have a Cessna 206T with G1000 that has the same issue. Loosing Heading in the PFD for 2-5 min during flight (big red X for HDG and no compass rose) at random times during the flight. Ususally lasts less than 5 min. Exchanged the AHRS unit and that didn't fix the issue. Any tips and suggestions greatly appreciated.
Have you had any luck with resolving this issue? I am having same problem with my 2011 T206. When it happens the status of the GDL 90 goes to a red x on status but I am told my plane doesn't have a GDL 90. Any help would be appreciated.

[C206pilot]

Have you had any luck with resolving this issue? I am having same problem with my 2011 T206. When it happens the status of the GDL 90 goes to a red x on status but I am told my plane doesn't have a GDL 90. Any help would be appreciated.

I have 2015 T206H. I lose the PFD compass rose heading every 15 hours or so. I fly 200 hours a year so its monthly. It happens in every stage of flight and in geographic diverse places. The autopilot audible alarm sounds until disconnected, a red x appears over the PFD compass rose and the system reboots or self corrects in 1-3 minutes. It has happened 3-4 times in ground operations. It happened last week on a coupled RNAV approach with 1000 feet to go before breaking out. That is a long 2-3 minutes but I continued a stable descent until breakout. I have had her in several shops with no luck in diagnosis or repair. Id love to hear about solutions if you solved yours.

C206pilot

[tdbristol]

Bad connectors would be my suggestion of where to look - do a hard hand-pull on every wire in each connector and close visual inspection with a magnifying glass