peevee Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 So this image I stole reminded me, is your flap indicator as shown below back lit? Ours isn't so I don't know if the bulb is out or if it just isn't back lit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMuncy Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I could be very wrong, but I think that black button immediately over the indicator holds the bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piloto Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 On my M20J mine is backlit. To remove the bulb unscrew the button above the indicator. José Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peevee Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Makes sense, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTK Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I always wondered what that funny looking button was for!! Thanks guys! What's the bulb that it takes? On similar note, is the clear facing of the trim/flap indicator easily removable? Mine has a little dust or something behind it on bottom right corner. I'd like to clean it if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houman Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I don't seem to have the button on the top where the bulb goes, so wondering if the lighting for it is in the flap window on mine ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSMooniac Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I always wondered what that funny looking button was for!! Thanks guys! What's the bulb that it takes? On similar note, is the clear facing of the trim/flap indicator easily removable? Mine has a little dust or something behind it on bottom right corner. I'd like to clean it if possible. image.jpg It is not easy, unfortunately. I did a transplant of that configuration center console (and indicators) into my '77 and it is a PITA. The indicators are clear "sticks" with paint marks and they're quite delicate. They go into sockets on the push-pull cables that drive them, which are clamped to the inside of the console so you don't have a lot of slack to work with. Did I mention they're delicate too? And they cost $50 each? If you get into it, just be very, very careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peevee Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I don't seem to have the button on the top where the bulb goes, so wondering if the lighting for it is in the flap window on mine ? uhoh, I might not have those either, ours is a another k a year newer than yours so if you don't, I probably don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSMooniac Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I can't remember now, but I don't think the early J/K had the backlight on those indicators. Heck I have one, but I think the only light in the area is below the indicators and illuminates the floor and lower console. I pulled my replacement console from a late '81 J and it has the backlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTK Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 It is not easy, unfortunately. I did a transplant of that configuration center console (and indicators) into my '77 and it is a PITA. The indicators are clear "sticks" with paint marks and they're quite delicate. They go into sockets on the push-pull cables that drive them, which are clamped to the inside of the console so you don't have a lot of slack to work with. Did I mention they're delicate too? And they cost $50 each? If you get into it, just be very, very careful. Thanks for the heads up Scott. Based on what you're saying then, the clear plexiglass piece I want to clean doesn't come out? Instead it's integral to the entire console? And to reach and clean behind that clear piece the indicator sticks mechanism has to be moved out of the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSMooniac Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 It does come out, but if I recall correctly it has to be removed from the inside of the console, and those delicate indicators are captured inside it via the push/pull cables that are clamped to the inside of the console below the indicator window. It doesn't leave a lot of room to operate and was quite a CF to install it all when I did it. I think the proper sequence to do so if you really want would be to drill out the pop rivets that hold the console in place, and then you can loosen it enough to get your hands behind the whole mess. At that point, you can see what you're working against. You could likely un-clamp the cables and pull the cables, indicators, and window (after un-fastening it) away from the console and pull the window up to clear the indicators. Of course all of the push-pull controls on the console are screwed down as well so there is a lot to un-do to liberate the console. It ended up being a major operation when I swapped consoles and engine controls (and the ventilation system, nose wheel well, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTK Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Sounds like not worth the hassle! Thanks again Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSMooniac Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Sounds like not worth the hassle! Thanks again Scott. So long as your indicators are still legible, I wouldn't mess with it myself. Your pic makes them look good enough for me. If/when you ever change engine controls that might be a good time to do the work, though. Doing work on that part of the plane IS a contortionist act like many A&Ps say about all things Mooney. It is unpleasant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTK Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Yes, totally agree. And to be honest with you, say I did take it apart to try and clean it, I'm not so sure I'd be successful cleaning it! Might end up making it worse! That stain there in lower right corner looks like it may be that brown background color that peeled off or got disturbed somehow. Tell me one other thing. What happens if the four screws on the corners are removed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSMooniac Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Those hold the window in place to the plastic console. Best case, the thing just leans inward a bit since the indicator stalks are still inside it and anchored to the push/pull cables. Worst case, you futz with it and push it forward, break the indicators, and it falls into a place that will require non-trivial dis-assembly to retrieve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy0681 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 I always wondered what that funny looking button was for!! Thanks guys! What's the bulb that it takes? On similar note, is the clear facing of the trim/flap indicator easily removable? Mine has a little dust or something behind it on bottom right corner. I'd like to clean it if possible. image.jpg Do Not, I repeat Do Not remove the screws on the window and attempt to tamper with the plastic. When the Flap Indicator broke on our 83 J we thought we could fix it ourselves and removed the screws. The result was that the guide that the plastic indicators travel up and down though became misaligned and the working Trim indicator broke as a result. Our A&P replaced both indicators and it was not an easy job as the belly panel had to be removed for the new indicators to be snaked through. Also, LASAR sells the factory markers that you can place over the window in the form of a sticker, which is what we did after we mutilated the original markings.The result looks excellent and I think it cost all of $4.00. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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