Chromatography Forum

Anyone in here get these errors regularly?

Failed to pick up vial from position #X
Failed to pick up vial from front injector
Plunger error – Dirty syringe plunger?
Failed to put vial down at position #X
Tray malfunction
Turret error. Magnetic tab missing?

I get a lot of "Failed to pick up vial from front injector" errors.

Just wondering, because I get blamed for these errors, and as we know, unfortunately, sometimes these things just happen.

John

Failed to pick up vial from position #X

I only get this error when I put the vial in the wrong position on the autosampler tray Fortunately that doesn't happen too often.

Plunger error – Dirty syringe plunger?

This one happens much too often, usually because of a sticky syringe plunger, and often one hour after I have left work for the day:lol: There are also times when it seems to be due to crud buildup on the turret.

I rarely see the other errors.

Anyone in here get these errors regularly?

We get similar errors about once a month, usually not explainable. Myself, I like to physically move the plunger to ensure there's no binding before I begin a sequence. And use the solvent rinse function, important.

The failure to pick or place sound like alignment errors - which could be a tray not quite in place - or with some of the other errors noted, you are using an old autosampler with parts that are beginning to come loose or fail.

Errors in handling the vials could also be caused by the type of vials and seals you are using.

The failure to pick or place sound like alignment errors - which could be a tray not quite in place -

I always remember to make sure to check that the vial tray is seated securely, but...

or with some of the other errors noted, you are using an old autosampler with parts that are beginning to come loose or fail.

^^^I'm sure it's this.

Any recommendations? (besides buy a new one? haha)

John

The failure to pick or place sound like alignment errors - which could be a tray not quite in place -

I always remember to make sure to check that the vial tray is seated securely, but...

or with some of the other errors noted, you are using an old autosampler with parts that are beginning to come loose or fail.

^^^I'm sure it's this.

Any recommendations? (besides buy a new one? haha)

John

Try to swap the jack at the rear of the GC (from Front to Rear position). It may help. But after that, you have to adjust the method: Injector = Rear (while still using Front Inlet).
I met this case once and it helped.

You can check to see how much can be done to recondition the autosampler. I worked with a fellow, years ago, who would pull apart old autosamplers and rebuild them. I do not know what problems he solved. But he did hold off the new purchases for a while.

Try to swap the jack at the rear of the GC (from Front to Rear position). It may help. But after that, you have to adjust the method: Injector = Rear (while still using Front Inlet).
I met this case once and it helped.

Nice! Did it completely eliminate whatever problem you were having?

I'll try it next time I get a "failed to pick up vial" error.

Thanks!

John

[Try to swap the jack at the rear of the GC (from Front to Rear position). It may help. But after that, you have to adjust the method: Injector = Rear (while still using Front Inlet).
I met this case once and it helped.

I adjusted the method as you suggested, but I keep getting this:

Method PCB's REAR injector doesn't match the sequence's FRONT injector.

Enter FRONT or DUAL injector method or CUT the table entry from the sequence.

I've tried switching from FRONT to REAR in both the sequence table and the method and I keep getting the error above. Am I overlooking something?


Thanks,

John

[Try to swap the jack at the rear of the GC (from Front to Rear position). It may help. But after that, you have to adjust the method: Injector = Rear (while still using Front Inlet).
I met this case once and it helped.

I adjusted the method as you suggested, but I keep getting this:

Method PCB's REAR injector doesn't match the sequence's FRONT injector.

Enter FRONT or DUAL injector method or CUT the table entry from the sequence.

I've tried switching from FRONT to REAR in both the sequence table and the method and I keep getting the error above. Am I overlooking something?


Thanks,

John

First try to run several single runs (very short, just injection phse then stop) to see if the problem's still there. After that, if it's ok (finger crossed) , think about changing the method.

First try to run several single runs (very short, just injection phse then stop) to see if the problem's still there. After that, if it's ok (finger crossed) , think about changing the method.

Just when it looked like it was going to work, I got the

Turret error. Magnetic tab missing?

error several times. The turret was shaking and rattling as it was spinning around before each injection attempt.

I switched the control box and method back to their original configurations, then replaced the turret with one from a spare tower and now it seems to be fine - I'm sure it will be fine until I leave for the day, though!

Thanks for the tip!

John

It may be ok, there are magnets attached to the turret for determining the home position, and if something has gone wrong with one of the magnet the turret won't home correctly, and that can lead to vial positioning errors. Replacing the turret is a good move, if the problems go away you have resolved the issue, if they continue it could be the sensor the magnet is supposed to trigger.

usually just press the turret all the way down if you get that turret error

If you need a repair to the ALS or modules, shoot me an e-mail at bhahn@aoti.net