RCM and Titan-Supplied Socket Troubleshooting

The Troubleshooting Steps

The reported issue is “The rack doesn't allow loading”. Here’s how to find the problem.

Gather all of the background information that you can from the person reporting the issue. Troubleshooting at the rack is forbidden, so the next best thing is to ask a lot of questions before you start troubleshooting. If you can’t determine what isn’t working from a conversation, you’ll have to test everything to confirm what works and what doesn’t work.

The troubleshooting is done in three steps.

• Step 1: Determine what works and what doesn’t work.
• Step 2: Confirm the problem by testing.
• Step 3: Continue testing once the failure has been isolated.

Step 1: What works and what doesn’t work.

Does the rack report a Grounding fault?

• You’ll check the Ground Wire (Groundhog) device inside the socket enclosure.
• Note that the J560 Optic socket does not have a ground verification pin. It depends on an external ground ball or other compatible device.

Does the rack report an Optic or Thermistor probe fault?

• You’ll check the sockets and wiring. Is the problem with one or several of the following?
  • 10-pin optic socket
  • 10-pin thermistor socket
  • 7-pin J560 socket

Is the RCM Permit light anything other than Green?

Testing the RCM and TD100 system is beyond the scope of this troubleshooting guide. Refer to the troubleshooting guides for RCM, FINCH II Display and TD100 Transmitter.

• Check the RCM.
• Check the TD100 system for the following issues:
  • Display
  • Transmitter(s)
  • Error codes
  • Alarms
  • Intermittent operation
  • Electrical power issues

Step 2: Confirm the problem by testing.

• Check the wiring means to confirm that the wires are connected to the correct terminals.
• Test the wiring means using a Digital Multimeter (DMM) to test the wiring and connections for continuity.
• Visual check or inspect means to have a close look and examine for anything out of the ordinary.
• GOOD, POOR and FAIL are test results indicated on the Scully Universal Truck Tester.

Is a Scully Universal Truck Tester available?

Yes? Use it.

• Socket(s) test GOOD?
  • The problem is with the rack controller at the facility, not with the vehicle.
• Socket(s) test FAIL?
  • Troubleshoot the socket(s).
    • Optic or thermistor issue?
      • You’ll check the socket wiring and the Optic booster or the Thermistor dummy in step 3.
    • Optic and thermistor issue?
      • Check the RCM Permit light.
        • If anything other than green, troubleshoot the RCM and TD100 system.
      • Check for standard 10-pin API sockets (no booster and dummy are installed).
        • If no booster and dummy, replace with Titan-supplied API 10-pin sockets.
      • You’ll check the socket wiring in step 3.
    • Groundhog issue?
      • You’ll check the socket, the Ground Wire device and wiring.
      • You’ll test the Ground Wire.
    • Continue with Step 3.
  • RCM issue?
    • Troubleshoot the RCM.
  • TD100 system issue?
    • Troubleshoot the TD100 system.

No Scully Truck Tester? Use alternate testing methods.

• Visually inspect all sockets and wiring.
• Use a DMM to test components and wiring.
• Check the RCM and wiring.
• Check the TD100 system.

Step 3: Continue testing once the failure has been isolated to a socket or sockets.

Is the problem with the Groundhog (ground verification)?

Test Groundhog problems using a DMM and visual checks.

• Check the socket wiring from pin-9 through the Ground Wire device to the chassis ground lug inside the socket enclosure.
• Check the socket wiring from pin-10 to the chassis ground lug inside the socket.
• Use the DMM Diode Test between pins 9 and 10 and Chassis Ground. See the link below for the test procedure.
  • Civacon GS1001 and GS1000 Ground Wire and Bolt Testing

Is the problem with the J560 socket?

• Check the 10-pin optic socket
  • 10-pin optic socket tests GOOD?
    • The problem is with the J560 socket or wiring between the 10-pin optic and J560 sockets.
      • Visually inspect the wiring.
      • Visually inspect the condition of the J560 socket.
      • Use a DMM to test the wiring.
    • 10-pin optic socket tests FAIL or POOR?
      • The problem is with the 10-pin socket, the wiring or the booster.
      • Test the 10-pin optic socket.
    • No 10-pin optic socket is installed?
      • The J560 optic socket must be installed with the Titan-supplied 10-pin optic socket.

Is the problem with the API thermistor socket?

• Groundhog tests FAIL?
  • Test the Ground Wire device and wiring at pins 9 and 10.
• Probe tests FAIL or POOR?
  • Any probes 2, 4-8 test FAIL or POOR?
    • Check the dummy and socket wiring.
      • If the dummy and socket wiring are correct, the dummy or crimped terminal connections are defective.
    • Probes 1 and 3 test FAIL or POOR?
      • Check the RCM. The Permit light must be green.
      • Check the booster wiring to pins 1 and 3.
      • Check the connection to the RCM black/white wire pair, to the dummy and socket. Ensure that the truck tester is disconnected.
        • Test the resistance across the black and white wires with a DMM.
          • Resistance less than 3 ohms is good.
          • Open circuit, the RCM is defective.
        • If a DMM isn’t available, an alternative test is to use a piece of stiff wire and the truck tester.
          • Connect the truck tester to the thermistor socket.
          • Short the black and white wires from the RCM to the thermistor socket with a piece of stiff wire. A paperclip bent into a “U” shape will work. Place the stiff wire into the end of the crimp butt splice and ring terminal or screw head in pin-3 for connection.
          • A GOOD indication on the tester indicates a defective RCM.
        • Check the dummy and socket wiring.
          • With CAUTION and for troubleshooting only, test the dummy by:
            • Disconnect the dummy from pins 1 and 3.
            • Connect pins 1 and 3 to pin 2.
            • Test with a Scully Truck Tester.
              • Tests GOOD?
                • The dummy or crimped terminal connection on pin-3 is defective.
              • Tests POOR or FAIL?
                • The socket is defective.
      • Probe 1 or 3 test FAIL or POOR?
        • Check socket wiring at pins 1 and 3.
        • Test the wire and crimp terminals between pins 1 and 3 for continuity.

Is the problem with the API optic socket?

• Groundhog tests FAIL?
  • Check the Ground Wire device and wiring at pins 9 and 10.
• Check the booster wiring to the socket.
• Check the RCM. The Permit light must be green.
• Check the connection to the RCM black/white wire pair, to the booster and socket. Ensure that the truck tester is disconnected.
  • Test the resistance across the black and white wires with a DMM.
    • Resistance less than 3 ohms is good.
    • Open circuit, the RCM is defective.
  • If a DMM isn’t available, an alternative test is to use a piece of stiff wire and the truck tester.
    • Connect the truck tester to the optic socket.
    • Short the black and white wires from the RCM to the optic socket with a piece of stiff wire. A paperclip bent into a “U” shape will work. Place the stiff wire into the end of the crimp butt splice and ring terminal or screw head in pin-6 for connection.
    • A GOOD indication on the tester indicates a defective RCM.
  • Check the booster and socket wiring. With CAUTION and for troubleshooting only, test the booster by:
    • Remove the RCM white wire from pin-6.
    • Temporarily connect pin-4 to pin-6.
    • Test with a Scully Truck Tester.
      • Optic socket tests POOR?
        • The Booster or crimp terminal connections are defective.
      • Optic socket tests FAIL?
        • Remove all booster wiring from the socket.
        • Keep pins 4 and 6 shorted.
          • The Optic socket tests POOR?
            • The Booster or wiring is defective.
          • Optic socket tests FAIL?
            • The socket is defective.

The Titan-Supplied API 10-Pin and J560 Sockets Wiring Diagram