Ian Posted December 27, 2013 Report Share Posted December 27, 2013 I have a CTLS with just under 400 hours on it. About a week ago I started experiencing a problem with the intercom and and the radio. The radio is a Garmin SL40, the intercom is a PS Engineering PM3000. With two of us in the aircraft we suddenly stopped being able to hear each other or to hear clearly any transmission on the radio (sounded like Donald Duck with laryngitis). Unplugging one headset from the intercom sockets and plugging into the sockets on the centre console meant that one of us could then communicate perfectly well on the radio (so the radio is working fine), then once safely on the ground switching the radio off and plugging both headsets back into the intercom sockets and the intercom worked OK - but not the radio & intercom together! Any ideas of where to start looking would be gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 I would wait for someone who works on this stuff to answer. A problem with the equipment or ground is undoubtedly correct (what else could it be) but not particularly helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 Check the troubleshooting guide for the intercomm. I remember having this problem, but i can't remember what i did to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 Also, I notice if the intercom is switched off the headsets will still work but a TON of static arises. Is that normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 That's not normal. I have an SL30 and PM3000. Do you have an aux port ian? Flip the switch for XM radio to Aux and see what happens. I had disconnected my 496 audio connection because it was putting out a bunch of line noise, and that switch isolated it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 That's not normal. Yeah, my guess is that it's probably a problem with the equipment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 Thanks for the replies, it's certainly a bit puzzling. The hint re the aux input is interesting, we do get the nice lady who lives in the Garmin 696 speaking to us so I presume that is via the intercom aux port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 Thanks for the replies, it's certainly a bit puzzling. The hint re the aux input is interesting, we do get the nice lady who lives in the Garmin 696 speaking to us so I presume that is via the intercom aux port. Mine has never worked. I think they screwed up the intercomm wiring (or the 496 is bad). Can play music via the aux port, but have never been able to hear the 496 announcements (I know it's supposed to have them). My plane might have been among the first off the assembly line, because I had to do rewiring on a couple other things too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 :) FIXED IT :) So after much head scratching we decided to trace the wiring between the various units - for once lady luck smiled and we started at the right end!! The only connection to the intercom is a 25 pin D-Connector. On disconnecting it and taking the cover off we found this: So a bit of soldering and all is back to normal!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Which pin number? And why soldering? Those are crimping pins... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Couldn't tell you the pin number, on the corner as in the picture! Why solder? I didn't have any tool to get the pin out so just decided to solder it I don't think it will come out again LOL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 The pin extractor and pins are 5 bucks at radioshack Solder use in joints is controversial in aviation because it is less tolerant of vibration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 RadioShack is of course an entirely US operation! I take your point on soldering, but on dismantling the plug I think the fundamental problem was that it had been badly assembled in the first place with not enough free play in the wire, leading to strain on that particular connection, and the whole set of wires not being securely gripped by the housing - so, freeing up some extra length of wire, soldering it in place then putting enough insulation tape around so that the plug housing has a positive grip has (I hope) ensured that cable won't come free again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Znurtdog Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 I just had a HORRIBLE squeal only when intercom was on. Removed the lower panel, removed the plug from the i/c, sprayed cleaner on pins, pushed plug on and off several times, seems all fine now. fwiw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Bad ground connection on the plug. You did the right thing to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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