Date: 201501
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: EWR.Airport, NJ
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
Airspace: Class B EWR
Aircraft component: Engine Vibration Indication
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: During taxi we observed the number 1 engine vibration indicator blank. We discussed the problem and checked the QRH; AFM and MEL for any additional information. We then contacted Local Maintenance Control. Maintenance advised us to cycle a CB. We did and the indicator began to work. I inquired about how to reconcile the logbook and the fact that we had cycled a CB and accomplished maintenance. Maintenance Control told me to '''write it up after takeoff and they'd take care of it at our destination'' - or words to that effect. I told them I believed that would not be legal or in compliance with SOP and multiple other documents...concerning the handling of maintenance issues. I suggested that I'd have to return to a gate and have a Maintenance person sign off the logbook entry. Maintenance badgered me repeatedly; stating that I was legal to depart and write it up enroute.I contacted the FODM who connected me with a Maintenance Control representative who confirmed that I had to have it signed off prior to take off. I contacted Station Operations and demanded a return to blocks and to have a Maintenance supervisor meet the aircraft. Upon return to block several Maintenance personnel met the aircraft as well as a Pilot representative.... I was counseled that I could; under Captain's authority and the Preamble to the MEL; take off with an open write up such as I had. I declined and insisted that Maintenance examine the system and either fix or defer it. Upon examination by Maintenance they decided to defer it. I was eventually provided a logbook that accurately reflected the maintenance status of the aircraft.I have been badgered by maintenance at another station to do the exact same thing; although with a different system malfunction. Both insisted I could depart. I returned to the blocks there also and had Maintenance examine the system.Unless someone can explain to me how numerous applicable documents aren't controlling; then what Maintenance is trying to get me to do is in violation of the FARs. This is a system wide problem and needs to be addressed as soon as possible so pilots and maintenance both know the CORRECT procedures!




Synopsis: When the B737 Captain noted the left engine vibration indicator was blank during taxi out; he contacted maintenance who had him cycle the associated CB which returned the indicator to service. The Captain then insisted it was necessary to return to the gate and have the log book properly documented and signed off by licensed maintenance personnel.