Valentine Aviation
The Stormscope Specialist
Address
4209 Hillsdale Ln, Garland, TX 75042, USA
WX-500 Troubleshooting
The best starting point for troubleshooting the WX-500 is with the LEDs on the front of the processor and the error codes.
LED status
LED 1
on normal operation
off failed operation; it is not booting up
LED 7
off normal operation
on failed operation; something has failed internal or external
LED 8
on/off once per second normal operation
on failed operation; it is the test signal between the processor and antenna; if it is on the test is not running
Error codes
Access the fault codes per the instructions in the pilots manual for your MFD
All WX-500 functions are controlled through the MFD that is wired to be the master control for your WX-500. The many capabilities of the WX-500 allow MFD manufacturers to create screens compatible with the various functions of their display. Each MFD will show the information consistent with the capabilities of that particular display. Errors may be worded similarly, but not exactly. Contact us for error codes not listed.
ERROR 08. See service bulletin SB805-11500-2
Software upgrade to 1.04 for noise reduction in composite aircraft.
ERROR 16. Antenna Fault.
Antenna or Antenna wiring Weather mapping is inhibited.
a. Check antenna wiring for opens and shorts.
b. Use test cable to isolate between antenna and aircraft wiring.
ERROR 17. Processor Fault.
No test strikes, antenna in noisy location, or faulty antenna. Weather mapping is inhibited.
a. Check antenna wiring for opens and shorts.
b. Check for presence of noise using built-in NOISE MONITOR or a WX-SM skinmapper.
c. If airborne near Annapolis, may be ground transmitter.
d. Fault will clear automatically if interference subsides.
e. most of the time, aircraft noise is to blame.
ERROR 18. Processor Fault.
Invalid test strikes, antenna in noisy location or faulty antenna. Weather mapping is inhibited.
a. Check antenna wiring for opens and shorts.
b. Check for presence of noise using built-in NOISE MONITOR or a WX-SM skinmapper.
c. Fault will clear automatically if interference subsides.
d. Most of the time, aircraft noise is to blame.
ERROR 19. Processor Fault.
Main Processor or Antenna in noisy location. Weather mapping is inhibited.
a. Check for presence of noise using built-in NOISE MONITOR or a WX-SM skinmapper.
b. If airborne near Annapolis, may be ground transmitter.
c. Fault will clear automatically if interference subsides.
ERROR 20. Configuration Changed.
Antenna location (top/bottom, determined by processor wiring) changed since system was last powered up. This may occur the first time the system is powered on in a new installation or after the configuration wiring is changed.
Select Antenna Location
a. That corresponds to Stormscope system antenna location.
b. If jumper does not agree with user selection, the error message remains displayed and status will change to “fatal error”.
c. Check jumper selection in mating connector assembly (refer to paragraph 2.9, table 2-2). d. At MFD, select antenna location.
ERROR 22. Invalid XYZ Input.*
The system is configured for synchro heading but the XYZ synchro signals are not present or are out of specification.
Heading stabilization is not available.
a. Check wiring between heading system and WX500 processor.
b. Check configuration wiring to make sure system is set up for proper heading type (stepper, synchro or serial).
c. If heading signals become valid, the system will recover automatically.
ERROR 23. Invalid Heading Ref.*
The system is configured for synchro heading but the heading reference (400 Hz) is not present or out of specification. Heading stabilization is not available.
a. Check wiring between heading system and WX500 processor.
b. Check configuration wiring to make sure system is set up for proper heading type (stepper, synchro or serial).
c. If the reference signal become valid, the system will recover automatically.
ERROR 24. MIC KEY STUCK.
Mic key (inhibit line) has been asserted for at least 60 seconds. Weather mapping is inhibited.
a. Check inhibit line wiring.
b. If inhibit line not used, leave it unconnected.
c. Check power to comms radio; if off, the radio may be asserting the inhibit line.
Garmin
GTN message: The Stormscope is inoperative or connection to the GTN is lost.
a. The GTN is configured for a WX-500 Stormscope but is not receiving data from it.
GTN message: Invalid heading received from Stormscope.
a. The WX-500 Stormscope reports that it has an invalid heading source.
WX-1000 Troubleshooting
LED status
Green LED
on normal operation, power is on
off failed operation, check the power input to the processor
Yellow LED
off normal operation
on failed operation, it indicates a failure detected by or in the processor power supply
Red LED
off normal operation
on failed operation, it indicates faults detected by the system self-test. Once on this LED does not turn off until power is recycled
If the yellow LED is illuminated both the display & processor should be bench tested together. The display could be causing excessive current draw on the power supply in the processor, and there could be a problem with the display and the processor.
Error Codes
Error 03. Time of day and elapsed time are not available. The real-time clock battery is dead,
It is actually part of a battery-backed RAM and is embedded into an IC on a printed circuit board in the processor.
Error 10 & 11. Heading stabilization is not available. Press any key to continue.
Heading processing failure.
a. Check synchro wiring.
b. Check the heading source.
c. Check 400 Hz source.
Error 44 & 45. Once every ten seconds, the WX-1000 processor sends a test strike to the antenna. The return strike must come back at the correct range and bearing. If the strike comes back, but in the wrong location, an Error 44 is generated. If the test strike does not come back at all, an Error 45 is generated. Errors 44 and 45 can be caused by the WX-1000 processor, the WX-1000 antenna, or a wiring problem with the antenna cable, but most of the time, aircraft noise is to blame.
One way of troubleshooting this is by going into the service menu by holding the bottom left two display keys in before turning the Stormscope on. Select the noise monitor and then select test. You will see a Box at the 1 o’clock position, and in the box you should see a + appear somewhere close to the center of the box with everything else in the aircraft off. If the + is outside of the box or you do not see the + the processor might be defective. If the + is there start turning on things in the aircraft ( alternators or generators, avionics, strobes, etc.) until the dot moves outside the box, then you have isolated it down to the system causing the problem.
Error 46. Weather mapping is inhibited. Press any key to continue.
Antenna failure.
a. Check for electrical interference.
b. Check antenna cable.
c. Bench test processor, display, and antenna.
WX-10 and WX-11 test procedure
To test the WX-10 or WX-11 series Stormscope system set the range switch on 200 nm. Allow 30 seconds for the warm-up then push the TST button, holding it in until you see a small cluster of dots appearing approximately at the 45 degrees and the 100-mile range. To clear the dots push the CLR button.