Autopilot Panel lights not Illuminating on TBM 850

[Maarp]

G'day everyone,

I'm having an issue with the AP on this beaut little plane. No matter if I click on the switches or use a hardware command the lights on the AP glareshield panel don't light up.

The aircraft will follow a Hdg setting and sometimes Nav but I can't tell if the AP is working properly.

Can anyone assist at all?

Cheers

Warwick

[Randolf]

@maarp please check if you have the AP/TRIM switch on, it's located just below the weather radar, next to Radio Master switch. And maybe if no circuit breakers are popped out.

[Maarp]

@randolf

Hey Randolf, yes it is. I did a test yesterday by starting the flight on the runway and the AP showed “Test” lit up but no response to pressing any other button.

[paintedfloors]

@maarp The AP Test lasts for around 45 seconds. Are you sure you waited long enough for the tests to end, before engaging different AP modes?

[meh1951]

AP lights should work. As Randolf said AP/TRIM has to be on.

[Maarp]

@paintedfloors

really great question, no I didn’t wait.

And now that I think about it I don’t think that the Test light comes on normally either. My guess is that the mapping I did for the AP switch to my hardware isn’t sending the correct commands. Although the switch moves, there’s probably nothing going on underneath.

Will test out this arvo and report back!

[Maarp]

Turns out that was the problem, my LVAR selection for my external hardware was only moving the switch, not actually selecting the AP to ON.

Problem solved and not I'm navigating happily around Patagonia!

Many thanks for all the help everyone.

Cheers

Warwick