Gear switch

[rdv]

Hello all,

I think I am having issues with a gear switch. The last 2 flights I had to cycle the swith a few times to get gear to retract. Everything else normal including extention. Is this switch the logical place to start trouble shooting? Maybe try removing and cleaning? If I need to replace it, where can a guy find a new one?

Ryan

67 F

[MooneyMitch]

Just a thought, but I suggest checking your up/down limit switches and their connnections.  Also check your actual gear motor asssembly/wires/connections too. 

Have the a/c up on jacks, belly pan off for access to all the components listed above and create the problem.  Once you've created the non-retracting issue, pull on wires/connections, tap on switches/motor, etc and see if the gear then retracts.  Don't forget, you'll need to overide your squat switch for retracting on the ground.  This switch keeps the gear from retracting below 70 mph or so. 

You'll have to introduce air on the pitot tube to overide the squat switch.  I used to use an inflated balloon over the pitot tube.  As I say this, it could also in fact be your squat switch.  I believe the switch is located on the rear of the airspeed indicator. Other's on this forum, with more technical knowledge than I,  may be able to help with more information on this subject.

Hope that helps you in some way.   

[richardheitzman]

You hit a lot of the right items. Be carefull with the balloon over the pitot tube idea, you can bust the airspeed ind and the gear switch. I use a piece of surgical tubing, about 12 inches long and wide enough to fit over the pitot, then SLOWELY roll it up untill the correct airspeed is indicated on the ASI. Then just clamp it off. Works like a charm. AFTER YOU HAVE IT ON JACKS OF COURSE. LOL Check for corrosion at the limit switches on the gear assemblies. You can also spray your gear select switch with contact cleaner. They are known for corroding. Check the back of the gear selector switch to see if you have a loose wire. I THINK, if my memory serves me, the upper wire is the down side and the lower wire is the up side.

[MooneyMitch]

Quote: rdv

Hello all,

I think I am having issues with a gear switch. The last 2 flights I had to cycle the swith a few times to get gear to retract. Everything else normal including extention. Is this switch the logical place to start trouble shooting? Maybe try removing and cleaning? If I need to replace it, where can a guy find a new one?

Ryan

67 F

[rdv]

Richard, Mitch,

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm suspicious of the aispeed switch so I'll do a little more experimenting in flight. I will post whatever I find.

 

 

[rdv]

The last few flights I have selected gear up a little later in the climb out. Im conciously waiting to see about 80mph and gear has operated normally. I think as I am becoming more comfortable with this plane, I was trying to raise gear to early. Operator abuse!

[MooneyMitch]

This sounds good, although I do not recall the squat switch speed for my F.   Maybe it is 80 MPH.  I also don't recall if the switch is adjustable.  Best to you and thank you for reporting back to us.

[DaV8or]

Quote: rdv

The last few flights I have selected gear up a little later in the climb out. Im conciously waiting to see about 80mph and gear has operated normally. I think as I am becoming more comfortable with this plane, I was trying to raise gear to early. Operator abuse!

[richardheitzman]

Pressure switch is adjustable and can be done pretty easily by a trained mech. If your gear is not coming up at the right speed then get it adjusted, and it's not a big deal and can be checked out at the next annual.