| Liquid waste has backed up out of the waste port and spilled onto the floor or the leak sensor has been triggered | 1. The waste line is too long | 1. Cut the waste tubing to the correct length so that the waste drains out of the line steadily |
| 2. The waste line is blocked | 2. Unblock or replace the waste tubing so that the waste drains out of the line steadily |
| A system fault occurred because the autosampler needle is clogged, damaged or misaligned. | 1. The autosampler needle position is not aligned correctly for the plate or vial type | 1. Perform plate calibration to teach the autosampler the correct needle positions for the plate or vial type. Refer to Mastering ExionLC AE & Shimadzu LC 40 Plate Calibration for instructions |
| 2. Adhesive from the plate cover has stuck to the autosampler needle | 2. Always use plate covers that do not contain any adhesives |
| 3. You are using a silicone plate cover that is not pre-split | 3. When using a silicone plate cover, make sure that it is pre-split |
| 4. The sample plate is not seated correctly in the autosampler | 4. Fully remove the sample plate tray and place it onto a firm surface. Place the sample plate into position in the autosampler, ensuring that it is fully seated at the corners and the base. |
| 5. The sample plate is not a type recommended by Shimadzu or SCIEX for use with the LC system | 5. Only use Shimadzu- or SCIEX-recommended HPLC plates |
| 6. The sample plate type is not the same as manually selected in the batch | 6. Update the autosampler configuration to use the correct plate type. It is recommended to use plates labeled with a bar code to allow the autosampler to automatically determine the plate type. |
| Autosampler needle is not penetrating the vial / sample plate in the center. | 1. The autosampler needle position is not aligned correctly for the plate or vial type | 1. Perform plate calibration to teach the autosampler the correct needle positions for the plate or vial type. Refer to Mastering ExionLC AE & Shimadzu LC 40 Plate Calibration for instructions |
| A batch or results processing failure occurs due to inconsistent injection volumes | 1. The autosampler needle position is not aligned correctly for the plate or vial type | 1. Perform plate calibration to teach the autosampler the correct needle positions for the plate or vial type. Refer to Mastering ExionLC AE & Shimadzu LC 40 Plate Calibration for instructions |
| 2. Adhesive from the plate cover has stuck to the autosampler needle | 2. Always use plate covers that do not contain any adhesives |
| 3. A silicone plate cover that is not pre-split is being used | 3. When using a silicone plate cover, make sure that it is pre-split |
| 4. The sample plate is not seated correctly in the autosampler | 4. Fully remove the sample plate tray and place it onto a firm surface. Place the sample plate into position in the autosampler, ensuring that it is fully seated at the corners and the base. |
| 5. The sample plate is not a type recommended by Shimadzu or SCIEX for use with the LC system | 5. Only use Shimadzu- or SCIEX-recommended HPLC plates |
| 6. The sample plate type is not the same as manually selected in the batch | 6. Update the autosampler configuration to use the correct plate type. It is recommended to use plates labelled with a bar code to allow the autosampler to automatically determine the plate type. |
| 7. The value for the needle stroke setting for the vials or plates is incorrect. | 7. Update the needle stroke setting to the correct value. |
| The retention times are inconsistent or the chromatography is poor | 1. The check valves are sticking | 1. Sonicate the check valves and replace them if the check valves are still sticking after sonication.
Note: When using acetonitrile as the organic mobile phase, it is recommended to use a minimum of 5% water to maintain the integity of the check valves and prevent them from sticking. If it is not possible to use a minimum of 5% water, flush the pumps with 100% water at least once a week. |
| 2. The incorrect wash sequence is being used for the advanced wash or internal needle wash programs. | 2. Use Mobile Phase A or a bottle of premixed mobile phase of the starting LC conditions for the assay as the RO wash. |
| 3. The pump seals have degraded due to the use of a mobile phase modifier with a concentration that is too high or when the modifier is incompatible with the Shimadzu LC system. | 3. Replace the pump seals and reduce the modifier concentration or type of modifier used. Note: ensure that you always use modifiers that are compatible with the Shimadzu LC system at a suitable concentration. |
| 4. The equilibration time in the LC method is too short. | 4. Modify the method to increase the length of time for equilibration. |
| A system fault has occurred due to condensation in the autosampler | 1. The autosampler cover has been removed | 1. Always keep the autosampler covers installed |
| A system alarm is triggered when the sample plate is removed for an extended period of time | 1. The sample plate is removed for an extended period of time when sample cooling is set as On | 1. Place the sample plate back in the autosampler and close the door |
| The PDA or UV-vis detector lamp has burnt out earlier than expected | 1. The unit was left powered on for an excessive period of time or when not in use | 1. When the detector is not in use, power the unit off |
| The SCIEX MS and Shimadzu LC are not synchronized during acquisition. | 1. The acquisition method is corrupted | 1. Create a new acquisition method |
| Carryover is observed | 1. The analyte is not soluble in the wash solvent | 1. Replace the wash solvent with one in which the analyte is soluble |
| 2. The flow path has dead volume. | 2. Inspect the fittings and adjust or replace any fittings as required. |
| 3. The wash program uses a wash time that is too short or a flow rate that is too low. | 3. Increase the wash time or the flow rate used in the wash program. |
| 4. The volume of wash solvent used in the wash program is too low. | 4. Increase the volume of wash solvent used in the wash program. |
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