Start the PMDG 737 NGX cold and dark in FSX with the correct power, IRS, APU, bleed-air, fuel and engine-start sequence.
To start the PMDG 737 NGX cold and dark in FSX, load its Cold & Dark panel state, switch on battery and standby power, establish external or APU power, align the IRS, configure fuel and bleed air, then start each engine by moving its fuel lever to IDLE at about 25% N2.
Set the correct PMDG panel state first
Use the PMDG-supplied Cold & Dark panel state rather than trying to darken a default FSX aircraft. Select the PMDG 737 NGX at a parking stand, open the PMDG Setup section of the CDU and load the supplied cold-and-dark state; the exact page labels can vary slightly between NGX installations.
Wait for the state to finish loading before operating switches. Set your physical throttles to idle and confirm both engine start levers beside the throttles are at CUTOFF.
This procedure is for the FSX-era PMDG 737 NGX in FSX and FSX: Steam Edition, not the later MSFS aircraft. If the product names are getting crossed, our comparison of realistic Boeing 737 add-ons for FSX identifies the relevant version.
PMDG 737 NGX cold-and-dark start procedure
The reliable flow is electrical power, IRS alignment, APU and pneumatics, engine start, then the after-start configuration.
- Secure the aircraft. Set the parking brake or fit PMDG wheel chocks, put the throttles at idle and verify both engine start levers are at CUTOFF. Do not begin a pushback while the IRS units are aligning.
- Establish electrical power. Move the BATTERY switch to ON and STANDBY POWER to AUTO. If GRD POWER AVAILABLE is illuminated, select ground power. Otherwise move the APU switch to START; it springs back to ON. When the APU is stable and its generator lights indicate availability, select both APU generators.
- Align the IRS units. Move the left and right IRS mode selectors to NAV. On the CDU POS INIT page, enter the aircraft's present position in the SET IRS POS field. Leave the aircraft stationary until alignment completes; the duration depends on the PMDG alignment option selected.
- Prepare the FMC and controls. Enter the route, performance data, departure runway, take-off speeds and MCP settings. Verify the doors are closed before pushback and complete the PMDG Before Start checklist for the hydraulic and flight-control configuration.
- Make the APU the start-air source. Ground electrical power alone does not crank the engines. The APU must be running unless another pneumatic source is modelled. Select APU generators before disconnecting ground power, then confirm the APU remains stable.
- Configure fuel and bleed air. Switch on the fuel pumps for tanks containing fuel; leave centre-tank pumps off when that tank is empty. Set both PACK switches OFF, ISOLATION VALVE OPEN, both engine BLEED switches ON and APU BLEED ON. Confirm that duct pressure is available, then switch on the red anti-collision beacon.
- Start engine 2. Move the right ENGINE START switch to GRD and watch N2 rise. At approximately 25% N2, move engine 2's start lever from CUTOFF to IDLE. The real procedure permits fuel at maximum motoring speed provided N2 has stabilised above the checklist minimum, but 25% is the normal PMDG target. Verify fuel flow, increasing EGT, oil pressure and N1 rotation. The start switch should return to AUTO near starter cut-out.
- Start engine 1. Once engine 2 is stable, repeat the same sequence with the left ENGINE START switch and engine 1 start lever. Do not introduce fuel if N2 has failed to reach a safe, stable motoring speed.
- Complete the after-start flow. Select both engine generators and confirm their GEN OFF BUS lights extinguish. Set the packs to AUTO, isolation valve to AUTO and APU BLEED off. After allowing the APU a short unloaded cool-down, switch it off. Set probe heat, hydraulic pumps, anti-ice, flaps, trim, transponder and exterior lights as required by the PMDG checklist.
The key engine-start detail is the relationship between pneumatic pressure, N2 and fuel introduction. Our focused guide to Boeing 737 starter indications explains what N1, N2, EGT and oil pressure should do during the start.
Why won't a PMDG 737 engine start?
Most failed PMDG 737 starts come from missing pneumatic pressure, introducing fuel too early or a controller assignment overriding the cockpit levers.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| N2 remains at zero | No start air | Confirm the APU is running, APU BLEED is ON, both packs are OFF, the isolation valve is OPEN and the engine start switch is at GRD. |
| N2 rises but there is no fuel flow or EGT | Start lever remains at CUTOFF or fuel is unavailable | At about 25% N2, move the correct start lever to IDLE. Check tank quantity and fuel-pump switches. |
| Engine lights and immediately dies | A mixture or condition-lever assignment is forcing cutoff | Remove duplicate mixture, condition-lever or fuel-cutoff bindings, then operate the PMDG start lever directly. |
| N2 rises slowly and stabilises too low | Insufficient duct pressure | Return the start lever to CUTOFF, stop the attempt and verify that the packs are OFF and APU bleed pressure is available before retrying. |
| IRS ALIGN light flashes | Present position is missing or invalid | Re-enter a valid latitude and longitude on the POS INIT page and keep the aircraft stationary. |
| Power disappears during alignment | The battery was used without an external source or APU | Restore ground or APU power. Reload the panel state if the depleted electrical system does not recover cleanly. |
Can I use Ctrl+E with the PMDG 737?
FSX's Ctrl+E autostart is not a dependable substitute for the PMDG procedure. It was designed around simpler default-aircraft systems and may leave the NGX with incorrect generators, bleed-air controls or fuel levers.
If you want to skip the full start, load a PMDG panel state that is already powered or ready for taxi. That preserves the aircraft's custom system logic better than forcing an FSX autostart.
How do I save a reusable cold-and-dark state?
Save the aircraft systems as a PMDG panel state and use an FSX saved flight for the airport, parking position, time and weather. An FSX flight alone may not restore every PMDG-specific switch and system reliably.
For a repeatable opening location, follow our instructions for making a saved flight the FSX default, then load or associate your preferred PMDG cold-and-dark panel state.