This page is intended to help in situations where the PC does not power up.  It applies to all our N, J and C-family PCs (excluding CQ family).  These PCs all have model numbers starting with “ICPC-1”, “ICPC-3” or “ICPC-4”.

The PC has a diagnostic LED (between the P-IN connector and jumper block (click here for a diagram) which flashes in a certain sequence to indicate the PC’s power status.  The LED sequences, their meanings and suggested troubleshooting steps are as follows:

LED is permanently unlit

This indicates that there is no power going to the PC.  If the LED does not flash at all for a period of at least 20 seconds then please try the following:

• Check that both P-IN yellow leads have power.
• Check that both P-IN black leads are connected to ground.
• Check that the PC’s input fuse has not blown.
• Disconnect the P-IN connector for approx. 1 minute and then try again.
• If the LED still does not light then please contact us.

LED flashes once every 5 seconds

This indicates that the PC is turned off.  If you believe that the PC should be operating at this point please try the following:

• Check that the P-IN ignition feed is live (the ignition feed must be continuously live for the PC to turn on – a brief pulse will achieve nothing).
• If the PC was shut down from within the operating system then the ignition feed may still be live.  To turn the PC back on simply turn the ignition feed off for approx. 10 seconds and then turn it back on again.
• Check that the ignition feed is turned off and then disconnect the P-IN connector.  Leave it disconnected for approx. 1 minute and then try again.
• The power source to which the two P-IN yellow leads are connected may not be able to provide sufficient current to allow the PC to start.  Check that you are using appropriate cabling and fuses, and that power is being taken from an appropriate source.  For 24V vehicles, if using a voltage dropper ensure that this too can provide sufficient current (Alfatronix’s PV6s or similar is normally sufficient).
• Disconnect all cables from the PC (ensuring that the ignition feed is turned off before you disconnect the P-IN connector).  Wait approx. 1 minute, reconnect only the P-IN connector, and try again.  If the PC powers up reconnect the other cables (e.g. video, USB, etc.) one by one until the problem reoccurs and you have identified the offending cable.  Either this cable or its downstream device has a fault, compatibility issue, or is attempting to draw too much current (if powered from the PC’s P-OUT cable).  Please contact us for advice.
• If the PC still does not power up then please contact us.

LED is ON constantly

This indicates that the PC is turned on.  If the PC is still operating even though the ignition feed is turned off then there is probably a shutdown delay set.  The shut down delay is configured by pins 1, 2 and 3 of the external jumper block (click here for a diagram).  Once the shutdown delay period has elapsed the PC should start to shut down.

 

LED flashes once every 10-15 seconds

This indicates that the input voltage is too low.

• Ensure that the vehicle’s battery is sufficiently charged (or start the engine so that the alternator raises the voltage).
• If the battery is sufficiently charged adjust the start-up and shut-down voltage thresholds by changing the configuration of pins 4 and 5 of the jumper block (click here for a diagram).

LED flashes two or three times every 5 seconds

This indicates an external overload or short, or an internal fault.

• Check that the ignition feed is turned off and then disconnect the P-IN connector.  Leave it disconnected for approx. 1 minute and then try again.
• Disconnect all cables from the PC (ensuring that the ignition feed is turned off before you disconnect the P-IN connector).  Wait approx. 1 minute, reconnect only the P-IN connector, and try again.  If the PC powers up reconnect the other cables (e.g. video, USB, etc.) one by one until the problem reoccurs and you have identified the offending cable.  Either this cable or its downstream device has a fault, compatibility issue, or is attempting to draw too much current (if powered from the PC’s P-OUT cable).  Please contact us for advice.
• If the PC still does not power up then please contact us.

LED flashes four times every 5 seconds

This indicates that the controlled shut-down procedure failed, and that the PC turned off before the operating system was able to shut down.

• Ensure that the operating system is set to shut down or hibernate in response to a power button press (see Changing the Ignition-Off Behaviour).
• Ensure that no third party software is interfering with the automated shut-down procedure.  For example, rather than exiting gracefully without any user intervention, some applications present a “Do you really want to exit?” or similar dialogue box when they are closed.  Without user intervention this prevents the operating system from shutting down, in which case the PC will turn off anyway after a short delay in order to prevent the battery being drained.  This situation can cause problems with the operating system and should always be avoided.  If essential software does not exit gracefully and cannot be modified then it is usually possible to automate dismissal of the dialogue box so that the PC shuts down normally.
• Ensure that the shutdown procedure is not being prolonged by third party software or Windows Updates (see Configuring Windows Update Settings).  If a longer shut down period is unavoidable then please contact us for customised firmware for the PC’s internal power supply.

Please contact us by phone or email if you have any problems.