peoplenet PMG User manual

PeopleNet Mobile Gateway & PeopleNet Connected Tablet
Troubleshooting Guide

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System Overview
This diagram shows the full PMG system using a PeopleNet Connected Tablet and Auxiliary Cable. When troubleshooting, particularly
with boot/power issues, refer to this diagram to determine which pieces are/are not potentially at fault

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Test/Troubleshooting Guidelines
Some PMG/PCT functions depend on the vehicle ignition status. Always test with the key ON unless otherwise
noted
To avoid “No Defect Found” billing on returns, always confirm a part failure on a test bench or other vehicle
before requesting an RMA
A good ground is critical to pin-out testing and PMG function. Always test the vehicle ground connections
against a known good ground reference point, such as the cigarette lighter shield, CB ground, or an in-dash
ground post. Watch for “floating” grounds, indicated by a medium-ohm reading, 25-50 ohms, which slowly
climbs during testing and when the cab is electrically active.
When rebooting the PMG, always wait until the red LED goes out before reapplying power: the PMG includes
a capacitor that maintains it for 30+ seconds after external power is lost
Always watch for damaged connectors and cables. If you note damage, replace the damaged part before
proceeding through the troubleshooting
Vehicle-specific install guides may be used as reference for Power and Engine Data connections
oInstall documents are available on the PeopleNet Support Center at
https://peoplenet.custhelp.com/app/home Contact PeopleNet Technical Support at 888-346-3486 if you
need an ID/Password
oVideos are available on the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/PeopleNetInstallations

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Test Process
Follow these steps to qualify the device. If you already know of a trouble symptom, jump to that section below.
Turn the vehicle ignition ON and press the display power button if present
oDoes the display boot up?
YES: Continue
NO: Go to “Display does not Boot”on page 5
Also refer to “Display does not Boot” if the display boots but the charging icon does not show
oDoes the display boot to the driver login screen?
YES: Continue
NO: Go to “Incomplete Boot”on page 10
Login to the device. If you do not have a login, contact your System Administrator
oNOTE: You can login as Driver “!diagmode” Password “9238” if necessary, but this will not confirm communications
oDid the login complete?
YES: Continue
NO: Go to “Unable to Login”on page 12
From the Main Menu, select SYSTEMOBC DIAGNOSTICDIAGNOSTIC BASIC
oConfirm GPS: 3D
If “NONE”, go to “GPS Issue”on page 14
oConfirm Cell is greater than 2
If not, go to “Cellular Issue”on page 15
Highlight Diagnostic PerformX and press SELECT
oConfirm RPM Reads, ODO matches dash (or is close), and FUEL is greater than 0
If NO, go to “Engine Data Issue”on page 16
oNOTE: If the Odometer, Fuel, or MPH values “stick” intermittently but appear correct in direct testing, contact PeopleNet
Technical Support. This can be an issue with the vehicle connection, vehicle data output, or the wiring
Highlight Diagnostic Device and press SELECT
oVerify Ignition reads ON when the key is ON, OFF when the key is OFF, and OFF when the key is in Accessory. If it does
not, check the ignition power connections in the dash

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Display Does Not Boot
The starting point for this process is: vehicle key is ON and the power button has been pressed, but the display will not boot.
The most likely cause is a power/ignition/ground connection issue. If you have access to the power connections, start there and
confirm good power/ignition/ground. If you do not have access, follow these steps to systematically eliminate possible fail points.
Parts in Play and Overview of Test Steps

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Display Does Not Boot
1. If a Micro-USB charger is available, connect it to the PCT display USN port beneath the cradle clamp, leave it charging for
5 minutes, then try to boot
NOTE: Use a standard cigarette lighter or wall USB charger - the output from a computer may not be sufficient to charge
a. If it then boots, even if it doesn’t connect to the PMG, the display is mostly ruled out as cause. Proceed to Step 2.
b. If it still does not boot, then the display is likely dead. Confirm on a bench unit then RMA as “No Power”
2. Disconnect and reconnect the cradle to make sure it is properly seated
3. The cradle requires two power sources to charge: the main power connection, which provides the direct feed, and the
PMG Ignition line, which tells the cradle to boot. Disconnect the cradle cable from the cradle and check the pins with a
voltmeter
a. Confirm pins 19 and 26 have 11-24 volts
b. Confirm pins 10, 18, and 25 have fewer than 10 ohms resistance to a known-good ground
c. Confirm pin 24 has 12 volts +/- 0.5 volts

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Display Does Not Boot-Continued
d. If Pin-Out checks out correctly, test an alternate cradle
e. If pins 19/26 (Power) or 18/25 (Ground) fail, proceed to Step 4
f. If pins 24 or 10 fail, proceed to Step 5
4. If the Power/Ground from Vehicle pins (18, 19, 25, 26) are not properly powered, locate the Power Assembly. This should
be in the dash, most often near the fuse panel
a. Verify the cradle cable 2-Pin power connection is connected to the Power Assembly
b. Verify the Display Power fuse is in place and intact, with the fuse well seated
c. Test the vehicle power source and verify it is showing 11-24 volts
d. Test the Ground connection resistance to a known good location, testing with the vehicle key ON to make sure the
ground source is not floating: ohms should be less than 10 to a known-good source
e. If all power assembly/connection issues are ruled out, visually inspect the cradle cable for damage, particularly
near wear points. Replace the cable if needed.
5. If the Cradle Cable Power/Ground from Vehicle pins check out but the PMG/OBC Pins (10 and 24) do not, locate the
PMG. This should be in the dash.
a. Verify the cradle cable is connected to the blue barrel connector of the PMG Auxiliary cable
b. Verify the PMG Auxiliary cable is connected to the PMG
c. Check the PMG LED
i. If the LED is not illuminated, then the issue is with PMG/PMG power. Proceed to Step 6
ii. If the LED is illuminated, either solid or blinking, disconnect the cradle cable blue connector from the PMG
Auxiliary cable to test

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Display Does Not Boot-Continued
iii. Test the PMG Aux cable blue barrel pins shown below, with
1. Pins 2 and 7 should read 12 volts +/- 0.5 and
2. Pin 8 should read less than 10 ohms to a known-good source
iv. If the Ignition/Ground pins lack power or ground, try an alternate PMG
1. If that works, RMA the original PMG as “No Power”
2. If that does not work, replace the PMG Auxiliary Cable
v. If the Ignition/Ground pins do check out, visually inspect the cradle cable for damage, particularly near wear
points. Replace the cable if needed.

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Display Does Not Boot-Continued
6. If the PMG LED is not illuminated, then the issue is with the PMG or its power connections
a. Disconnect the PMG Main Cable and verify the pins match the diagram below
i. Pin 5 should read 11-24 volts
ii. Pin 4 should read less than 10 ohms to a known-good ground source
iii. Pin 3 should read 11-24 volts
iv. If pin 3, 4, and 5 match this pinout, try an alternate PMG. If that works, RMA the original as “No Power”
v. If the pins do not checkout, locate the Power Assembly, which is in the dash and normally near the fuse
panel
1. Verify the “OBC Constant” and “OBC Ignition” fuses are present and intact
2. Disconnect and test the 4-Pin PMG Power connection with a voltmeter, verifying RED=12-24 volt
constant power, WHITE=12-24 volt Ignition Sense, and BLACK=Ground. Always test the Ground
with the ignition ON to make sure the source isn’t floating: a floating ground will show a moderate
resistance (20-50 ohms) that will slowly increase
3. If something is missing, test at the vehicle connection point to determine if the failure is in the
assembly or with the vehicle connection
4. If you have the proper Power/Ignition/Ground at the 4-Pin, visually inspect the PMG Main cable for
damage, particularly near wear points. Replace the cable if needed.

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Incomplete Boot
The starting point for this troubleshoot is: the display begins to boot but does not reach the Driver Login screen
Next steps depend primarily on what error displays. In most cases, contacting PeopleNet Technical Support is recommended, as they
have access to error codes and many resolutions.
1. Device boots to a generic Android menu
a. Press the 3-dot icon on the right (if present), then select PMobile to boot the device into PeopleNet’s
ICAP code
b. When the device reaches the Login screen, enter:
i. Driver ID: !prodmode
ii. Password: 9238
NOTE: If the PMobile icon is not present, contact PeopleNet Technical Support or review the
document https://peoplenet.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1636/kw/PMobile available on
the PeopleNet Online Support Center