PCMS-1210QS Pixel Error Troubleshooting

Synopsis: If your handheld Quickstep controller shows an error code that says Defect L1, L2, or L3, it indicates an issue with one of the display cards located inside the sign case. This error can prevent you from activating a message on your sign.

• Level: Easy
• Time required: Will vary depending on experience but should take roughly 5-10 minutes.
• Additional equipment required: Philips screwdriver, spare display card, spare data cables

PCMS-1210 Sign Case Overview

• Matrix size X and Y: 40 x 21
• Cards X and Y: 3 lines of 8 display cards per line
• Total cards: 24

Figure 1 - Sign case wiring

1. Log in to the Handheld controller and press Utilities, then Brightness, then F5 - Test

Figure 2 - Utilities 

Figure 3 - Brightness

2. The Brightness/Pixel Test will test your display cards individually, starting in Line 1. 

How the Brightness/Pixel Test works:

Figure 4 - Data flow during brightness/pixel test

2.1. Starts on the left side of Line 1

2.2. Data will go through each display card and light up the LEDs on them

2.3. When it gets to the end of the row, the end line jumper will send data back to the communication card and keep going into Line 2

2.4. If there is an error in Line 1, the data will not be able to flow to Line 2 or Line 3, so the cards will not light up

2.5. It is very important that the end line jumpers are plugged in at the end of each line

How to identify the bad display card in Line 1:

2.6. The data will light up the display cards one by one in Line 1. When the pixel test stops running, it means it hit a defective display card

Figure 5 - Pixel test stopping on defective display card

In Figure 5, display card #4 in Line 1 could be defective as it does not light up after receiving data

3. Solutions to fix the error

3.1. Replace the bad display card with a known working display card and your Pixel Error will go away. If you do not have any spares, you will need to purchase some

3.2. You can also try swapping cards 4 and 12 and check if the pixel error moved back to Line 2. If it does, it means the display card you just moved from 4 to 12 is defective because the error followed it

3.3. It is normal that display cards 5 to 24 in Figure 7 do not light up, as the data is not making it due to the bad display card

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