5.3 Troubleshooting
5.3.1 Symptoms Presumably Due to an Error, Based on the
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Hardware
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
No power is supplied when power switch is switched ON.
Is power cord unplugged?
Main power
switch Plug in the power cord properly.
Is there a broken/open circuit in the power cord?
Main power switch
Replace it with a power cord of the same type.
Are the power supply
specifications appropriate for the specified instrument power requirements?
Main power switch
Use a power supply that meets the power supply specifications for the instrument.
No solvent is delivered at all.
(The solvent delivery pump does not function.)
Was [PUMP]
clicked? Is [PUMP]
illuminated?
Solvent delivery pump
Click [PUMP]. [PUMP] is illuminated.
Does the flowrate display remain at “0”?
Solvent delivery
pump Specify the flowrate.
Is an error displayed (such as
“P-MAX” or
“P-MIN”)?
Solvent delivery pump
Click [CE] and eliminate the cause of the error.
5.3 Troubleshooting
5
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
The solvent delivery pump runs, but does not pump solvent.
Is the mobile phase bottle empty?
Mobile phase Add mobile phase.
Is the drain valve open?
Solvent delivery
pump Close the drain valve. *1 Is liquid leaking
from a flow channel connection?
Solvent delivery pump
Tighten the connection. If the leak persists after tightening the connection, then replace the connection.
Are there bubbles inside the pump head?
Solvent delivery pump
Click [PURGE] to purge the bubbles. Alternatively, connect a syringe to the drain tube
connection port to suction out the bubbles.
"2.3.3 Manual Purging the Solvent Delivery Pump"
P.26 Is there air
entering via a connection between the suction filter and pump?
Solvent delivery pump
Connect the suction filter fitting securely.
Is the check valve defective?
Solvent delivery pump
Pump 2-propanol to rinse the check valve. However, if a buffer solution is being used, rinse the check valve with purified water first. Then rinse it by pumping 2-propanol.
If rinsing the valve is not effective, clean the check valve ultrasonically or replace it.
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
Solvent delivery is unstable and pump pulsation is large.
Flowrate is lower than the setting value.
Is the check valve defective?
Solvent delivery pump
Pump 2-propanol to rinse the check valve. However, if a buffer solution is being used, rinse the check valve with purified water first. Then rinse it by pumping 2-propanol. If rinsing the valve is not effective, clean the check valve ultrasonically or replace it.
Is the check valve contaminated?
Solvent delivery pump
Pump 2-propanol to rinse the check valve. However, if a buffer solution is being used, rinse the check valve with purified water first. Then rinse it by pumping 2-propanol. If rinsing the valve is not effective, clean the check valve ultrasonically or replace it.
Is the suction filter clogged?
Solvent delivery pump
Ultrasonically clean the suction filter. If ultrasonic cleaning is not effective, then replace it.
Are there bubbles in the suction filter tubing?
Solvent delivery pump
Click [PURGE] to completely purge the old mobile phase.
Vibrate the suction filter to purge the bubbles. If the suction filter is clogged*2, clean it ultrasonically. If ultrasonic cleaning is not effective, then replace it. Degas the mobile phase.
Are there bubbles inside the pump head?
Solvent delivery pump
Click [PURGE] to purge the bubbles. Alternatively, attach a syringe to the drain tube connection port and suction out the bubbles.
"2.3.3 Manual Purging the Solvent Delivery Pump"
P.26 Is there previous
mobile phase remaining inside the pump head?
Solvent delivery pump
Click [PURGE] to completely purge the old mobile phase.
Is liquid leaking from the gap between the pump head and head holder?
Solvent delivery pump
Replace the plunger seal. If leakage continues after replacing the plunger seal, then replace the plunger.
LC-40 CL Series Instruction Manual
Is there leakage from the plunger seal?
Solvent delivery pump
Replace the plunger seal. If the plunger seal service life was extremely short, then also replace the plunger.
5.3 Troubleshooting
5
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
Solvent delivery is unstable and pump pulsation is large.
Flowrate is lower than the setting value.
Is liquid leaking from a flow channel connection?
Solvent delivery pump
Tighten the connection. If the leak persists after tightening the connection, then replace the connection.
Is the line filter clogged or clogging?
Solvent delivery pump
Ultrasonically clean or replace the line filter.
Pressure does not increase.
Is the drain valve open?
Solvent delivery
pump Close the drain valve. *1 Is liquid leaking
from a flow channel connection?
Solvent delivery pump
Tighten the connection. If the leak persists after tightening the connection, then replace the connection.
Pressure increases too high.
Is the line filter clogged?
Solvent delivery pump
Ultrasonically clean or replace the line filter.
Is the tubing internal diameter too narrow?
Solvent delivery
pump Use the specified pipe.
Is the column
clogged? Column Inspect the column pressure and replace the column if clogged.
Is the flow
channel clogged? Entire system
Rinse the flow channels by backflushing.
Inspect the flow channels and replace any clogged parts. *2 The rinse
solution volume in the seal automatic rinsing kit increases.
Is there leakage from the plunger seal?
Solvent delivery pump
Replace the plunger seal. If the plunger seal service life was extremely short, then also replace the plunger.
The rinse
solution level for the seal
automatic rinsing kit decreases.
Is rinse solution leaking from the back of the head holder?
Solvent delivery
pump Inspect (replace) the diaphragm.
Is liquid leaking from a rinse solution flow channel connection?
Solvent delivery pump
Tighten the connection. If the leak persists after tightening the connection, then replace the connection.
There is leakage from a gap in the high pressure valve.
Is the airtightness of the rotor and stator decreased?
Autosampler Inspect/replace the rotor and stator.
There is leakage from a gap in the low pressure valve.
Is the airtightness of the rotor and stator decreased?
Autosampler Inspect/replace the rotor and stator.
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
There is leakage from a flow channel connection.
Is the connection loose or
damaged?
Autosampler
Tighten the connection. If the leak persists after tightening the connection, then replace the connection.
An error message is not displayed even if mobile phase is spilled inside the column oven. An error message is not displayed even if mobile phase is spilled on the leak tray.
Is the gas sensor or leak sensor sensitivity inadequate?
Column oven Leak sensor
Clean the leak sensor.
CTO-40C CL Series Instruction Manual
Inspect the gas sensor and leak sensor. If it fails, adjust sensitivity.
CTO-40C CL Series Instruction Manual
[Ready] status never appears.
The temperature does not reach the setting temperature.
Is the column
oven door open? Column oven Close column oven door.
Is the room temperature high or the
temperature setting low?
Column oven
Specify an appropriate column temperature-control temperature.
The possible temperature-control range varies depending on the room temperature.
CTO-40C CL Series Instruction Manual
Cell
Temperature Control Failure
Is the connector
disconnected? Detector Make sure the connector is connected securely.
Is the temperature setting appropriate?
Detector
Specify an appropriate cell temperature-control temperature.
The cell temperature-control setting range varies depending on the room temperature, column temperature, solvent delivery pump flowrate, and cooling tubing.
SPD-40 CL Instruction Manual
5.3 Troubleshooting
5
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
Light level is low.
Are there bubbles
accumulated in the flow cell?
Detector
Confirm whether the baseline changes significantly when the cell outlet pipe is blocked.
Alternatively, visually check for any bubbles flowing in the flow cell.
If there are bubbles, disassemble and clean the flow cell.
SPD-40 CL Instruction Manual
Is the flow cell
contaminated? Detector
Visually check for debris inside the flow cell or contamination on the cell window.
If there is debris or contamination, disassemble and clean the flow cell.
If the contamination cannot be removed, replace the lens with a new lens.
SPD-40 CL Instruction Manual
Is the mobile phase absorption level high?
Detector
Inspect the mobile phase solvents and flow channels and remove any impurities.
Has the light source lamp deteriorated?
Detector
If the light level is low even with an air cell*3 or if the lamp has been operated for more than 2000 hours, then replace the lamp.
SPD-40 CL Instruction Manual
The wavelength shifted out of alignment
Was the wavelength calibration not performed properly?
Detector
Perform automatic wavelength calibration.
SPD-40 CL Instruction Manual
The injection action does not occur.
Is [Autosampler Control] set to [Offline] in autosampler [System Setting]
settings?
Autosampler Set the [Autosampler Control]
setting value to [Online].
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
The pressure change is large when high pressure valve switches positions.
Is the high pressure valve clogged?
Autosampler
Disassemble and clean the high pressure valve. If disassembled cleaning is not effective, then replace the rotor and stator.
Is the high pressure valve rotational position out of alignment?
Autosampler Contact your Shimadzu representative.
Is the flow
channel clogged? Autosampler
Rinse the flow channels by backflushing.
Inspect the flow channels and replace any clogged parts. *2
*1 : If the drain valve is opened while the pressure is still high, mobile phase will spray out of the end of the drain tube. Do not open the drain valve if the pressure is high. Be sure to insert the end of the drain tube into the liquid waste container. Do not leave it exposed outside the container.
*2 : If the solvent delivery pressure starts increasing, flow channel blockage may have occurred. Use the procedure in corrective action for the solvent delivery pressure increases to successively disconnect flow channel components and check the pressure, starting from the downstream end.
*3 : An “air cell” refers to a flow cell with all cell lenses and cell gaskets removed and not containing mobile phase.
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System Controller
Symptoms Main Cause Countermeasure
The following instruments are not displayed on the web page.
• Oven.C
• Oven.D
The instruments on the left are not displayed on the web page.
To monitor those instruments, use the LabSolutions.
The autosampler does not operate when analysis is started.
Is the [Use of
Autosampler] checkbox cleared?
Select the [Use of Autosampler]
checkbox.
The status remains [Pause]
and the analysis does not advance to the next step.
The [Event In 1] setting is [Ready In].
Reconsider the [Event In 1] setting in system controller [Environment setting] settings.
Optional products connected to the instrument are not displayed.
Example:
・ The optional value connected to the pump is not displayed.
・ The flow channel selection valve for the column oven is not displayed.
The [Used]/[Not Used]
settings for various optional products in configuration settings are set to [Not Used].
Make sure configuration settings for each instrument are specified correctly.
A "P.Max" system error occurs.
The [System P.Max]
setting value is not
Make sure the [System P.Max]
setting in system controller configuration settings is
5.3 Troubleshooting
5
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Autosampler
Symptoms Main Cause Location to
Check Corrective Action
The temperature inside the cabinet is at least 10 ℃ higher than room
temperature.
Did the temperature control function stop?
Temperature control setting
Models with temperature control functionality are designed with higher insulation performance inside the cabinet. If the
temperature control functionality is not used, heat generated from the needle drive motor or other components can increase the temperature in the cabinet to 10
℃ or more above room temperature.
Always use the temperature control mode on models that include temperature control functionality.
SIL-40 CL Series Instruction Manual
There is leakage from the
injection port.
Was the
autosampler shut down or its power switched OFF?
Power supply
If the autosampler is shut down or its power is switched OFF, it can lose its ability to press the needle tightly against the injection port, which can sometimes result in leaking.
Do not switch OFF or shut down the autosampler when the pump is pumping solvent.
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Degassing Unit
Symptoms Probable Cause Corrective Action
Bubbles are discharged from a degassing unit OUT port.
A solvent IN/OUT port joint is loose and air is sucked.
• Securely tighten joints
• If the joint is damaged, replace it with a new one.
SF Nut,1/8: Part No. 228-44449-36 or Part No.228-56687-42(Included instruction manual)
SF Ferrule,1/8: Part No. 228-44449-51 or Part No.228-56687-43(Included instruction manual)
The flow rate is too high. Keep the flow rate within the specification value.
The suction filter at the inlet is clogged and the flow resistance is increased.
Clean or replace the suction filter.
Flow resistance has increased due to a bent suction tubing, etc.
Cut the bent portion of tubing or replace it with a new one.
The amount of solvent in the mobile phase bottle is small and air is sucked.
Supply mobile phase until the suction filter is immersed in the liquid.
Due to incomplete solvent change, dissimilar solvents are mixed in the flow line and are foamed.
Replace the solvent. In particular, when replacing a solvent with low solubility, first thoroughly flush the lines solvents, and then replace with target solvent.
No power is provided.
(The LED does not light up.)
The power cable is connected
too loosely to supply the power. Connect it securely.
Red error lamp is on.
The evacuation capability of the vacuum pump is lowered due to condensation of solvent gas, etc.
(Liquid may drop from the exhaust port.)
The evacuation capability may be unstable temporarily due to condensation of solvent gas in the vacuum line.
See "DGU-405 CL Instruction Manual 4.2 Maintenance Work", drain liquid from the degassing unit, remove the stop joint, turn on the degassing unit, and idle the degassing unit for two or three hours.
If the [Error] lamp lights up and the degassing unit stops during idle running, turn off the solvent delivery module and back it on, and restart the degassing unit.
In the event that the [Error] lamp lights up or any liquid continuously flows out even after the restarting is repeated several times, the
degassing unit may have failed.
5.3 Troubleshooting