Service difficulty report · Alternator · Cessna 172S

Difficulty date
August 25, 2004
Submitted
October 5, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Cessna 172S
Aircraft time
3,021 hours
Engine
Lyc IO360L2A
Propeller
Mcauly 1A170E
Part
Alternator
Part number
X660007
Condition
Damaged
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
R
Precautionary procedure
D

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

(CAN) ALTERNATOR CHARGING SYSTEM WOULD NOT COME ONLINE. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE WORKING NORMALLY. HOWEVER SYSTEM WOULD NOT CHARGE. ALL VOLTAGES (IAW M.M.) APPEARED TO BE NORMAL BUT STILL THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS SHOWING A DISCHARGE. VOLTAGE WAS CHECKED AT THE OUTPUT SIDE OF THE ALTERNATOR CONTACTOR AND WAS FOUND TO BE NORMAL. HOWEVER THERE WAS LITTLE TO KNOW CURRENT FLOW. ASSUMED THAT THE CONTACTOR (INTERNALLY) HAD A BUILT UP LAYER OF CARBON FROM ARCHING. REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR CONTACTOR X66-0007 AND THE SYSTEM BEGAN TO OPERATE WELL WITH-IN ITS OPERATING RANGE. CHECKS OK. WE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO FLY A FEW DAYS AND IT CONTINUED TO CHARGE NORMALLY.

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