Cessna 208 Caravan EX - PFD screen fails to initialize when starting C&D

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ISSUE DESCRIPTION

Description of the issue .

Bug Description

When starting the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX from a Cold and Dark state, the pilot’s Primary Flight Display (PFD) screen fails to initialize.

While the unit’s physical bezel text and button backlighting turn on successfully with the panel lights, the actual digital liquid-crystal display remains completely black. Because the system detects the main PFD is dead, the avionics suite automatically enters Reversionary Mode, forcing the center Multi-Function Display (MFD) to show the primary flight instruments instead of the standard moving map.

(Note: The PFD functions normally only when spawning directly on the runway or when using the simulator’s built-in automatic checklist/startup assistance to start the airplane. The failure is strictly tied to manual Cold and Dark startups).

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and select the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX.

  2. Spawn into any airport at night, selecting a parking spot or hangar to ensure a Cold and Dark start.

  3. Manually turn on the Battery, Alternator, and Avionics Master switches (do not use the sim’s automatic startup/checklist helpers).

  4. Turn on the cockpit Panel/Instrument lighting knobs to illuminate the instrument backlighting.

Expected Result

The left GDU 1050A unit should boot up entirely, displaying the attitude indicator, airspeed tape, and altitude tape, just as it does when spawning on the runway.

Actual Result

The left PFD unit’s button/text backlighting turns on, proving it is receiving panel power, but the screen itself remains completely blank. The center screen successfully boots up but is forced into Reversionary Mode due to the manual startup PFD failure.

FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

How often does this occur for you (Example: Just once, every time on sim load, intermittently)?

REPRODUCTION STEPS

Please list clear steps you took in order to help our test team reproduce the same issue:

  1. see description above it is detailed in there.

  2. it happens every time loading the Cessna 208 Cold & Dark

  3. still happens with mods out of community folder.

YOUR SETTINGS

If the issue still occurs with no mods and add-ons, please continue to report your issue. If not, please move this post to the User Support Hub.

What peripherals are you using, if relevant:

[PC Only] Are you using Developer Mode or have you made any changes to it?

[PC, MSFS 2020 Only] Are you using DX11 or DX12?

msfs 2024 doesn’t have DX option.

[PC Only] What GPU (Graphics Card) do you use?

[PC Only] What other relevant PC specs can you share?

MEDIA

Please add a screenshot or video of the issue occurring.

Cannot replicate following the checklist (ms-store, SU6 beta):


I don’t see “Alternator” in the checklist, not sure why you are having it in your steps ?
Do you have it streamed or installed ?
Any Marketplace addons ?

Also noticed you appear to have dev mode open. Have you changed anything in that??
Regards

Hi @DementedCorn327
I tested under the first SU6 beta, and then tested under the newest SU6 beta 1.8.8.0, with no add-on’s, PC Store version, everything streamed.
I’m seeing the same issues as @DryestAlarm01.
I went through both the standard and expert versions of the checklists and can’t get the left PFD to initiate, whether I use battery power or external power.
I also gave it some “basic” startup steps, e.g. to use the radios, set external power tied to bus and Avionics 1 on, and then after a restart of the flight, battery on then avionics 1 on, and while the radio worked fine in both cases, the left PFD never initiated but the MFD and right PFD did work as expected for initiation. I did get light indicators around the left PFD to turn on, but the display itself never activated as expected.
Regards

Thanks for testing.
I can replicate the issue in SU6 beta with the new option “Start flight without walkaround” enabled.
How is this option set for you ?

I initially tested without this option enabled, assuming OP is in the Live version since report is in the Bug Reporting Hub > Aircraft & Systems and have no issue with this setup.
@DryestAlarm01 : are you in the SU6 beta ?. If so, how is set your option “Start flight without walkaround” ?

I did start the test with the new option to “Start flight without walkaround” enabled. I’d be thrilled if that’s all that’s causing this issue. :grinning_face:
I’ll give it another try without that option and see what effect that has on the issue.
Regards

Well the Garmin units all seem to start correctly with external or battery power if the “start flight without walkaround” option is not selected. You hit it on the head!
Regards

same issue. Cold and Dark no screen. Will include screenshot. I noticed that if I push Ctrl+E for the automatic start, even after starting the engine myself, the screen does come on. the option for start flight without walkaround is on. Will try to confirm with that turned off.

Can confirm: starting with walkaround enabled turns on the pilot PFD when avionics switches are turned on. Walkaround being turned off screwed something up.