Chromatography Forum

High all. Once again I find myself turning to this forum for a little guidance. Also, i want to make sure this isn't a simple fix before I go ahead and get waters on the phone.

I edited my previous post since I solved the one problem i posted about. Now my only problem is the detector. The status light on the PDA is blinking, and this just all of a sudden happened. I set my LC to run as usual, let it equilibrate. When I went to inject my sample set communication failed between empower and the LC. I solved the communication issue by just turning everything off and on and reaccessing the server. However, my PDA status light still continues to blink. Any suggestions? I tried flushing the flow cell, but it still blinks.

Thanks,
Tim

I checked the users guide, this is what it had......

Status light blinks and lamp light on

Failed startup diagnostics - Reseat and check alignment of flow
cell. Flush the flow cell (Section 3.1.1,
Flushing the Flow Cell).

Insufficient energy reaching photodiode array because of air
bubble, or dirty flow cell can cause shutter diagnostic to fail
Flush the flow cell (Section 3.1.1,
Flushing the Flow Cell).
To prevent air bubbles from forming,
check that there is a 1- to 2-foot (30- to
60-cm) length of 0.009-inch
(0.23-mm) ID tubing connected to the
detector waste outlet.

Weak lamp Replace lamp (Section 3.1.2,
Removing the Flow Cell).

We just had a similar problem and it turned out to be a dirty flow cell. Waters service tech disassembled the cell, cleaned and replaced and the problem was solved. If you are confident, you can clean the flow cell yourself but if you have not done this before it may be a good idea to contact Waters.

Before you do, just be sure that it is not an air bubble in the cell as this will present in exactly the same way. Try flushing the cell at a high flow rate and ensure that your mobile phae is degassed properly.

Thank you.

I did follow the users guide as per AA's post. I'll flush it out some more today. I don't know if i feel comfortable enough taking it all apart. It's easy enough to get out though.

The PDA needed a new CPU.