Narrative:

This is one of several reports concerning a B737-800; aircraft X. On this flight; found the right [overhead] thrust reverser light came on with the advancement of the throttles and without the activation of the thrust reversers. The same three eau (engine accessory unit) errors showed this time as in my last report. I required that the thrust reversers be pinned; out of service; for me to accept the aircraft due my personal history on aircraft X. Now; go back to last summer/fall; when I flew aircraft X out of ZZZ...same thing happened. I requested pinning; but; one of the four nutplates that the [lock-out] pins (4 pins required) screw into; to isolate [deactivate] the translating sleeves; was missing. It now appears; that the same nutplate; on the same aircraft; had never been replaced; because the same nutplate (upper; inner) was still missing; therefore; on this flight; the thrust reverser [translating sleeve] could not be pinned. I then refused the aircraft.as a further point; I spoke with four maintenance supervisors; and the following was said at one time or another: 'why are you checking this? What is the problem with only one pin being missing? There is no way the thrust reverser would deploy. (The latter was relayed to me as being said by a supervisor; from a line mechanic) why will you not take the plane; since the eau (engine accessory unit) shows no fault with normal thrust reverser deployment? There is no history on this aircraft of thrust reverser issues.' I had the same problem; by the way; earlier (november 2010) with the same aircraft.a subsequent maintenance entry the next day showed the thrust reverser did in fact still show a fault light with the advancement of the [throttle] levers; after replacement of the hydraulic isolation valve. Even though the [reverser] light illuminated; maintenance signed-off the thrust reverser repair since the thrust reverser functioned properly after clearing the three known eau errors; as it does always; I might mention. Yet the reverser light will still come on with the advancement of the throttles. February 2011; another [flight] crew had the reverser light come on this aircraft. Of course; as usual; it was again signed-off...pencil whipped if you will; by clearing the eau and activating the thrust reversers; again; without checking if the reverser light illuminates with the advancement of the throttles. I have suggested several times to always check the 'thrust reversers repaired aircraft' by advancing the throttles to the forward stop; with hydraulic pumps on; before signing-off this malfunction. To date; this is falling on deaf ears. I have entered this in my logbook entries in the past as well.I hereby; again; recommend that the entire fleet be immediately checked for this hidden thrust reverser issue by: 1. Turning on the electric hydraulic pumps. 2. Advancing both throttles to the forward stop (engines off) for at least 20 seconds. 3. Note [be aware] if a reverser light comes on either at the forward stop or after return to idle position. This issue is causing my air carrier and almost assuredly other operators a great deal of time; money and very possibly a great compromise in safety. As a side note; in january; I spoke personally with our B737 training chief and B737 fleet manager in ZZZ. The training chief; although very receptive; keeps referring to the fact that our air carrier has no procedures for the crews to check this [reverser light] item. The fleet manager was extremely receptive and promised answers from engineering. I have yet to hear from either individual.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Captain reports about a B737-800 aircraft he had flown with a history of recurring engine 'REVERSER' lights illuminating on the P5 Aft overhead panel; that occurred intermittently; when the throttles were advanced and without the activation of the thrust reversers.

Narrative: This is one of several reports concerning a B737-800; Aircraft X. On this flight; found the right [overhead] thrust reverser light came on with the advancement of the throttles and WITHOUT the activation of the thrust reversers. The same three EAU (Engine Accessory Unit) errors showed this time as in my last report. I required that the thrust reversers be pinned; out of service; for me to accept the aircraft due my personal history on Aircraft X. Now; go back to last summer/fall; when I flew Aircraft X out of ZZZ...same thing happened. I requested pinning; BUT; one of the four nutplates that the [lock-out] pins (4 pins required) screw into; to isolate [deactivate] the translating sleeves; was missing. It now appears; that the same nutplate; on the same aircraft; had never been replaced; because the same nutplate (upper; inner) was still missing; therefore; on this flight; the thrust reverser [translating sleeve] could not be pinned. I then refused the aircraft.As a further point; I spoke with four Maintenance Supervisors; and the following was said at one time or another: 'Why are you checking this? What is the problem with only one pin being missing? There is no way the thrust reverser would deploy. (The latter was relayed to me as being said by a Supervisor; from a Line Mechanic) Why will you not take the plane; since the EAU (Engine Accessory Unit) shows no fault with normal thrust reverser deployment? There is no history on this aircraft of Thrust Reverser issues.' I had the same problem; by the way; earlier (November 2010) with the same aircraft.A subsequent Maintenance entry the next day showed the thrust reverser did in fact still show a fault light with the advancement of the [throttle] levers; after replacement of the Hydraulic Isolation valve. Even though the [reverser] light illuminated; Maintenance signed-off the thrust reverser repair since the thrust reverser functioned properly after clearing the three known EAU errors; as it does always; I might mention. Yet the reverser light will still come on with the advancement of the throttles. February 2011; another [flight] crew had the reverser light come on this aircraft. Of course; as usual; it was again signed-off...pencil whipped if you will; by clearing the EAU and activating the thrust reversers; again; without checking if the reverser light illuminates with the advancement of the throttles. I have suggested several times to always check the 'thrust reversers repaired aircraft' by advancing the throttles to the forward stop; with hydraulic pumps on; before signing-off this malfunction. To date; this is falling on deaf ears. I have entered this in my logbook entries in the past as well.I hereby; again; recommend that the entire fleet be immediately checked for this hidden thrust reverser issue by: 1. Turning on the electric hydraulic pumps. 2. Advancing both throttles to the forward stop (engines off) for at least 20 seconds. 3. Note [be aware] if a reverser light comes on either at the forward stop or after return to idle position. This issue is causing my Air Carrier and almost assuredly other Operators a great deal of time; money and very possibly a great compromise in safety. As a side note; in January; I spoke personally with our B737 Training Chief and B737 Fleet Manager in ZZZ. The Training Chief; although very receptive; keeps referring to the fact that our air carrier has no procedures for the crews to check this [reverser light] item. The Fleet Manager was extremely receptive and promised answers from Engineering. I have yet to hear from either individual.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.