Piper PA-28-236 Dakota: Electric Instruments Don't Turn On

User Support Hub Aircraft & Systems
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Description of the issue:

When starting the aircraft from “cold & dark”, the electric instruments (The G430/530, the transponder, the radio, the autopilot unit and the electric fuel display) don’t turn on with the battery. The battery works, the aircraft engine can be started up, but all the screens remain off. The only way to start them is using the quick-start shortcut (RB+Right, or CTRL+E).

If applicable, which aircraft is experiencing this issue:

Piper PA-28-236 Dakota

FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

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

Every time.

REPRODUCTION STEPS

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

  1. Start a flight in “cold & dark” condition, on any airport, on a ramp.
  2. Start the aircraft up, switching the Battery switch ON.
  3. Monitor the screens (Garmin, autopilot, transponder etc).

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:

Xbox controller.

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

MEDIA

Please add a screenshot or video of the issue occurring.

[END OF FIRST USER REPORT]

:loudspeaker: For anyone who wants to contribute on this issue, Click on the button below to use this template:

Do you have the same issue if you follow the OP’s steps to reproduce it?
•

Provide extra information to complete the original description of the issue:
•

If relevant, provide additional screenshots/video:
•

2

Have you tried switching the Avionics Switch On? That aircraft (like most Piper and Cessna GA aircraft) has a separate Avionics Switch on the panel, usually somewhere near the red Battery/Master switch.

3

I looked but found no such switch. It’s only the battery, alternator, different lights and pitot heat.

Also, after turning on the instruments with the quick start shortcut, then switching the aircraft off, turning the battery back on turned on all the screens as well. So as far as I see, everything should turn on with the battery switch.

4

Okay, I just watched a video and it looks like the actual avionics switch is “hidden” on the right side of the upper Garmin unit. That has to be switched on.

The bug report can be dismissed.

5

It’s to the left of the autopilot.

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6

Here:

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7

Agreed the placement is poor and I don’t recall it being there in the real-world Dakota I used to fly, but admittedly, that was 20 years ago by now.

EDIT: Oh goodness. I just looked at my logbook and the last time a I flew a Dakota on a regular basis was more than 30 years ago. :slight_smile:

8

I’ve seen them in multiple places

9

It’s one of the places it can be found. My Information Manual even shows it there.

10

Moved to User Support Hub since a solution has been marked.

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