I can't get engines to start.

[John W]

I was flying this simulator earlier today and everything was going well. Except for the gyropilot turning off on the DC-6. So I ended the flight and tried another later on. Now the engines don't want to start, on the DC-6, on my PA44 Seminole, on any aircraft. I have power, the propellers turn but it's like they aren't getting fuel. But get this, on the PA44 I get manifold pressure but the engine isn't running. Huh? So I would appreciate any suggestions because right at this moment I just want to scream. Just wanted to do a flight, not fight with this blasted thing.

[Sandhill]

Could your controller have somehow gotten to send a persistent mixture cutoff? In the DC-6 do you see fuel pressure for the engine you are trying to start? In either aircraft, mixture control look good in cockpit view?
Magnetos set to both?

[John W]

The issue wasn't just in the DC-6, although I think it may have had something to do with it. I couldn't get the engines to start in some of my twin propeller aircraft either and in the DC-6 when I selected ready for taxi the engines were running rough and showing issues. I even uninstalled and reinstalled the DC-6 and still had the issue as well as with the other aircraft (did the uninstall and reinstall of the Dc-6 before I thought of trying other aircraft). I had even tried restarting the computer. Then I tried P3D V5 and everything worked as it should. Went back into FS2020 and now things are working again. Beats the heck out of me as to what happened. I'm just glad that I can fly again.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look for those indications if this happens again. I have my fingers crossed that it won't but with my luck who knows.

I feel guilty for thinking this but I'm hoping someone else has this same issue and figures out what causes it.

I have noticed something with the DC-6 that was reported in one of the reviews I watched. Lower FPS. I have 2020 limited to 30 fps but right now I'm flying from KDEN to KPUB and there really isn't much in the way of scenery in this area and my FPS is down to 24. Will have to keep an eye on this.

[Sandhill]

Do look at Tutorial 6, as Rob points out the only things that can keep the DC-6 engines from starting, if you have let AFE get you set up for start, are lack of fuel and lack of spark, and only a small number of omissions can cause either.

[John W]

Originally posted by Sandhill:

Do look at Tutorial 6, as Rob points out the only things that can keep the DC-6 engines from starting, if you have let AFE get you set up for start, are lack of fuel and lack of spark, and only a small number of omissions can cause either.

I'll have to take a look at that. I just did a flight with the PA34 Seneca, things went well. Then started a flight with the DC-6 and started to have the same issue. After exiting and restarting FS2020 I had the issue. Then selected cold and dark and did maintenance on the engines. After that selected ready for taxi and things went well. So still not sure what is going on.

[Goobs]

Engine damage on the DC-6 is persistent between flights. Make sure to use the pad to order repairs, and top up oil and water.

[John W]

Originally posted by Goobs:

Engine damage on the DC-6 is persistent between flights. Make sure to use the pad to order repairs, and top up oil and water.

Thanks, I have been doing that.

[John W]

I finally found the cause of the issue. I use FS-FlightControl as a moving map to track my progress during flights. This was causing the issue. I have reported this to the developer so hopefully there may be a fix eventually. As a work around I can start a flight with the DC-6 and get the engines running and then load FS-FlightControl. That seems to work for now. But at least I found what was causing this issue and have a workaround.

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by John W:

I finally found the cause of the issue. I use FS-FlightControl as a moving map to track my progress during flights. This was causing the issue. I have reported this to the developer so hopefully there may be a fix eventually. As a work around I can start a flight with the DC-6 and get the engines running and then load FS-FlightControl. That seems to work for now. But at least I found what was causing this issue and have a workaround.

[m_j_lyons]

I have this happen from time to time and have found no easy fix using "normal procedures" - I hope your FS-FlightControl issue actually is the silver bullet to fix it. For me I have found that if i use the keyboard "autostart" shortcut to get the engine on it works. The only other fix I've found is the exit/restart.