Motor Card Troubleshooting/Up & Down Not Working

Synopsis: The motor card is one of the components responsible for raising and lowering your sign. If your message board or arrow board is having difficulty going up or down, it could be caused by an issue with the motor card, and will need to be isolated.

Please note this procedure is for motor card PB-MOT-13110-06. You can find this part number on the white sticker located on the card.

• Level: Advanced
• Time required: 10-15 minutes
• Additional equipment required: Philips screwdriver

1. Program the motor card.

Note: If your motor card has not been programmed yet, please follow this procedure.

2. Confirm there is power going to the motor card

Note: You should see a green LED on the card (L3). You can also use a voltmeter to take the reading off pins 2 & 3.

Figure 1 - Motor Card (PB-MOT-13110-06)

Figure 2 - Motor Card Pins

3. Ensure the correct color wires are connected to the right terminal

1 - Signal: White wire

2 - 12v (+): Red wire

3 - GND (-): Black wire

4 - M1: Blue wire

5 - M2: Brown wire

4. Check for a red LED on the motor card

4.1. If there is no red LED, continue to next step

4.2. If there is a red LED, checking for the amount of times it blinks/flashes. 

• 1 flash = The allotted time for a movement was exceeded
• 2 flashes = Bad actuator
• 3 flashes = Bad actuator cable
• 4 flashes = Pins 4 & 5 are reversed

5. Test the motor card directly

5.1. Start by disconnecting/removing the wire from pin #1.

5.2. Use a pair long-nose/needle-nose pliers to short pins #1 and #2.

If the board raises, the motor card is OK, if it does not, the motor card is defective.

Figure 3 - Shorting

By following the previous steps, you should be able to isolate the issue. The more common parts at fault are the motor card, motor cable, and actuator.

If you require any additional help, contact our toll-free number at 1-888-488-7446 or email us at [e-mail]