Search the Community

Hello all, sadly long time no visit to MS for me... I am in need of some (ok maybe a lot of) help, during my BFR (yea I know they may call it something else now) this past Wednesday during a hold to an approach I utilized the CWS then disconnected the autopilot. The electric trim never worked again. So today I decided to see if I could figure out why. I was by myself and could not be in both the tail section and the cockpit at the same time but I am sure I could hear the trim motor running. The autopilot will self test and pass like normal. I have not attempted to see if the autopilot will function in flight. I do not hear what I recall as the slight noise of a relay when I try to run the trim. Today I engaged the autopilot on the ground and could hear a distinct clutch engagement of some servo but it is not the trim servo as the control wheel does not move. Also during the self test I believe I can hear the trim servo test fwd and rev as it normally does. As I spent most of the day removing the switch, checking the wires and connections in the yoke etc. I disassembled the switch which comprised of a very simple set of 3 type C micro switches, fed by +12VDC, two wires on what I believe are the clutch and autopilot feedback on one switch and cross connected to the adjacent two same configuration switches in reverse settings feeding two wire to what I presume are direction control for the trim servo. On the side I would never pay 500 - 800 for this switch it is very simple setup, I would suspect it can be easily rebuilt for 50 or less. SW1, 12vdc center post (NO), Green wire top post (C=common), White/B wire bottom post (NC) (I call this the clutch / power control switch) The green wire (C) and the White/B wire must be a connection in order for the autopilot to complete and pass its test. Does not matter the position of the Up / Dwn switch as the (C) of SW1 provides 12vdc to both of the (NO) contacts on the adjacent switches. SW2 & SW3 have identical wiring that allows for positive and discrete contacts with used in conjunction with SW1 in either position. What I am looking for is any info on the clutch relay or whatever is utilized to control the servo clutch on for the electric trim. Where is it located what does it look like. Is it the disconnect relay if you will similar to what I had on my Century Auto Pilot in my Piper Saratoga? Any tips and recommendations on where and how to troubleshoot this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Lacee / RocketAviator