Nav lights not working

[PaulB]

Last night I had an issue with my nav lights coming on. They came on but then went out after a minute or two. Flipping the switch off and on resulted in a click and a quarter second dimming of the console lights but no nav lights. After turning on and off different lights I tried the navs again and they worked but I got a bunch of static in the intercom. Navs went back out as well. Everything else electrical was working without an issue. It's a 1982 J. Any thoughts?

[1964-M20E]

I'd inspect the wiring to the lights and the light sockets for any damage or fraying.

When you got the lights to come on did you happen to look at the ammeter and see if the current draw was higher than usual?

[PaulB]

Ok I'll take a look. I imagine it's quite the task to inspect the entire length of wire. I didn't look at the ammeter. Probably would have been a good idea. Thanks for your help

[1964-M20E]

Maybe not so easy taking a look at the wires but it is a start.  Once you are sure there are no issues with the wire or the sockets then you could start looking at the switch.

 

Good luck

[PaulB]

Do you know if the wires for the nav lights run through the little inspection ports all along the bottom of the wing? I've never opened any of those but that we're I was planning on looking first

[PaulB]

I think I might start at the switch since it's more accessible and check the impedance of each wire separately before opening everything up.

[Glenn]

I had the exact same issue on my F a number of years ago.  It turned out that the tech put a sheet metal screw through the wire harness when replacing the upholstery in the pilot's foot-well. It is also  possible that a wire to one of the nav lights has frayed where it goes through the fuselage or through a wing rib. I don't know that this will be helpful, but it's a place to start.

[N9405V]

Question, is there a drop in led/strobe replacement for the original wingtip position lights?

[fantom]

Yes, the Sextant Nav + Strobelight.

[neilpilot]

Coincidentally, I just installed the Sextant 30w nav light kit in my M20C this morning!  The install is incredibly easy.  It took under 30 minutes, and I work slowly.  Not only will this kit serve as a poor-man's (or should I say CB?) strobe, but it will draw a fraction of the power of the incandescent bulbs and should last forever.

 

My kit was won as a door prize at the Mooney Summit II.  I'd highly recommend the retrofit for an older Mooney, especially one without wing tip strobes.  I already run a belly and wing tip strobe, but I imagine the flashing nav lights will increase my chance of being seen.

[fantom]

 I just installed the Sextant 30w nav light kit in my M20C this morning!  The install is incredibly easy.  It took under 30 minutes, and I work slowly.

 

Having just sold my Mooney  I also coincidentally have a brand new Sextant 30w kit, in the box, never installed, available for $250, including shipping in the USA, to the first taker. Just PM me.

 

Over $325 with shipping and tax from Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/stpages/navstrobesextant.php

[N601RX]

On the F model Mooney put knife splices in the wires that run out to the wingtips. These are located behind either the 2 or 3 forward inspection panel in each wing.

[markazzarito]

On November 1, 2014 at 11:37 AM, neilpilot said:

Coincidentally, I just installed the Sextant 30w nav light kit in my M20C this morning!  The install is incredibly easy.  It took under 30 minutes, and I work slowly.  Not only will this kit serve as a poor-man's (or should I say CB?) strobe, but it will draw a fraction of the power of the incandescent bulbs and should last forever.

 

My kit was won as a door prize at the Mooney Summit II.  I'd highly recommend the retrofit for an older Mooney, especially one without wing tip strobes.  I already run a belly and wing tip strobe, but I imagine the flashing nav lights will increase my chance of being seen.

I see a lot of older certified aircraft are installing this system. The documentation i can find

http://deltaaviation.comnav%20page/POH/M20C%201966%20Mark%2021.pdf

seems to indicate this kit is strictly for experimental aircraft and while it meets FAA requirements is not FAA approved for nor is it meant to be used in a certified aircraft. Can anybody elaborate on why or why not this kit can or cannot be used legally as a replacement for position lights on my 1963 M20C? Also what are the potential legal consequences for installing? 

Edited March 13, 2016 by markazzarito

[Hank]

Yeah, me too! Me too! I like . . .

[Yetti]

Sounds like a short.  With master off.  Pull all the bulbs.  Put your VOM on Ohms.  Put the ground lead to ground. then check all the center conductors if one or all show ohms you have a short. Depending how it is wired they could all show short or one shows short.  Start pulling inspection panels after you check under the panel

[Yetti]

You could probably find the connector at the wing root and isolate each circuit.  then check for shorts.  If it is not on the wings or tail, it is probably in the panel area.  any recent work areas are primary suspects

[mooniac15u]

19 minutes ago, Yetti said:

Sounds like a short.  With master off.  Pull all the bulbs.  Put your VOM on Ohms.  Put the ground lead to ground. then check all the center conductors if one or all show ohms you have a short. Depending how it is wired they could all show short or one shows short.  Start pulling inspection panels after you check under the panel

This thread is over a year old. I'm guessing the OP got this sorted out. 

[PaulB]

On March 14, 2016 at 8:51 PM, mooniac15u said:

This thread is over a year old. I'm guessing the OP got this sorted out. 

Yep.  Forgot to update.  Turned out to be a short in a wire behind the panel.  Replaced the switch and the wire all the way out to the wingtip.  Still didn't work.  Replaced the wire behind the panel and it was cured.  No issues since then.