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Looking for tips for troubleshooting the secondary ignition on my Aerovee. I've tinkered with the timing about 15 degrees either side of the starting position that the Aerovee manual calls for, and never get more than a random pop or 2 after shutting off the primary mags. The pop I hear does not sound like a normal combustion pop, more like a backfire type sound. Should I get a spark tester of some sort to be sure all of the coils are firing? Any other troubleshooting tips?

-Removed-

Mike, I have to ask....is there anything about your Sonex that you like? I see a lot of posts like this and wonder.

Fastcapy wrote:
I also put aftermarket Accel performance plug wires on to help performance.

I'm wondering how you pulled the original wires off the primary coils? That may be a good technical/overhaul thought for those with a lot of hours on their originals. Mind sharing how you did it?

Thanks!

Mike, I have to ask....is there anything about your Sonex that you like? I see a lot of posts like this and wonder.

Yes. Everything

Sonex is flawless. Never any problems of any kind. By far the most superior kitplane available. Everything works 100% of the time. Pure perfection. No need to improve anything. Simply awesome!

Do you have a wiring diagram you could share? Unless the cam gear was mis-aligned when installed, the standard Sonex timing via the trigger magnet is going to work. Is the magnet still in the magnet cap (some people have had it fly off)? Are you "sure" you set the flywheel in the correct location before setting the trigger magnet? Are you sure the spark plug wires (from the coils) go to the correct plugs? I once accidentally switched the plug wires at the coils (the only wires I didn't have labeled!). Are the coils grounded to the firewall? Is the switch installed and wired correctly?

I followed the wiring diagram in the manual for the coils. I used a relay to switch the coils and have verified that it's functional. You're right though that I should start by retracing all of my wires to be sure everything is going to the proper place, I have not done that yet though I was fairly certain I had them correct. I'll start there.

I do see the magnet. I'm sure I'm positioning the flywheel correctly, and recognize that the picture in the manual is a bit tricky since it doesn't show the accessory plate and is actually a rear view of the engine/mags. I had also marked TDC on my prop hub and the default trigger position does seem to be 10 degrees prior to it.

Coils are definitely grounded, both through the mounting bolts/spacer on the firewall and an additional ground wire to ground block attached to the mounting bolts. Again, I'm fairly certain that the spark plug leads are to correct plugs but have not double-checked since trying to run the engine.

All good questions Mike, thanks.

Yes. Everything

Sonex is flawless. Never any problems of any kind. By far the most superior kitplane available. Everything works 100% of the time. Pure perfection. No need to improve anything. Simply awesome!

Light sarcasm?
I can be a little dense a times so just checking.

I recall having a problem with the secondary ignition on my Aerovee first Engine run. After checking everything I found the little magnet what is glued inside the trigger cap A was sitting to high hitting the sensor C. I carefully rounded off the magnet using a grinder until it was sitting flash with the trigger cap.
The Engine have done now about 85 hrs without any ignition problems.
Good luck,
Peter,
Sonex 19-8464
Aerovee 2.1

Thanks Peter, I'll check for that also.