I believe fault 103 is a
rudder drive error, where the computer attempted to move the rudder, but received no feedback that it moved. There are a few possibilities besides wire connectors (I am assuming the B&G
linear drive with rudder feedback unit attached):
1. The rudder reference unit is bad or not calibrated. Have you recently removed or played with this? If so, it may have been put back turned a bit to be out of calibration. I can post calibration instructions if this is so.
2. The drive lock solenoid is going bad. We had ours fail and produce this error. It tends to fail intermittently - increasing in frequency - until it goes altogether. The solenoid is that round blue or square black thing on the side of the RAM with a couple of smaller wires coming out of it.
3. The
motor brushes are going bad. We also had these go and they tend to produce the drive error when the drive is pushed to provide a lot of thrust.
4. The RAM has air in it and needs bleeding. Have you seen any hydraulic fluid leaking from the front arm seal? When you manually pull/push the arm in and out, do you feel bubbles or sudden free movement?
The most important test you can do right now is to determine whether the RAM is locked when the error message occurs. If you can easily turn the
wheel when the error occurs, then it is most likely the solenoid.
If the RAM is locked solid when the error occurs, it is most likely the rudder feedback unit.
If the
wheel can be turned with quite a bit of backforce (don't honk on it and break stuff), then it is most likely
brushes or air in the hydraulics.
Mark