VCM Boot Error Troubleshooting

IDS – Loss of communication with VCM due to VCM boot-up

errors.

Symptom:
Under certain circumstances the VCM may fail to boot correctly when powered up, but give no immediate
indication that a failure exists. This condition will cause the VCM to lose communications with the IDS
Toughbook, even with the appearance of the red VCM icon at the lower right corner of the IDS screen
indicating that IDS does have a functional link with the VCM. No communications with any vehicle is
possible under these conditions, and users may be prompted to take corrective actions.

The most common message is a simple pop-up instruction to exit IDS and reboot the VCM.

Cause:
Although there may be other hardware or software issues with similar symptoms affecting individual IDS
machines from time to time, investigations into this area of IDS operation has revealed that the VCM may
not "boot" correctly every time the power is removed/restored to the VCM. (VCM "power cycle")

"Power cycling" the VCM means when power is first applied to the VCM, allowing it to "boot" into its
normal operational mode. A "power cycle" will occur when………

• a Mobile IDS/VCM is first connected to the vehicle, drawing 12v from the DLC
• a NON-powered VCM on a typical Jaguar IDS trolley mounted unit is connected to a vehicle, also
drawing power from the DLC
• a typical Land Rover IDS trolley mounted unit with the 110VAC to 12VDC powered VCM is
moved about the service department where the 12VDC supply is temporarily removed from the
VCM in the process, then re-applied when the IDS trolley is again connected to 110VAC.

Frequently, the pop-up message will appear as shown above, but it is not confirmed that this message
will be displayed in 100% of the circumstances causing this type of failure.

When the VCM does not boot properly, IDS may still communicate with the VCM partially. The red VCM
icon may be visible on the IDS screen in the lower right corner, but IDS cannot establish a complete link
with the VCM so communication with vehicles for diagnosis is not possible.

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Workaround:
Many VCM communication failures that ARE NOT associated with a "power cycle" may be improved or
corrected by performing a "static restore" process then re-loading the current IDS software, and/or
running the VCM recovery tool to refresh both the VCM firmware, and the main IDS application. Hardware
related issues can also be diagnosed with the assistance of the SPX IDS helpline.

Some VCM communication failures that ARE associated with a "power cycle" may also be corrected
using the above methods.

If problems persist on your IDS system after basic corrective measures, then the following simple and
effective workaround may be employed to help IDS users overcome VCM communications failures
created by VCM Boot Errors after a "power cycle".

1) Always start a new session on IDS for every new vehicle you must diagnose/service using IDS.
2) If you need to move your IDS, or are using the IDS in a mobile format, ensure that the VCM
completes it's "power cycle" before the next step.
3) When viewing the first screen of warnings and cautions that is displayed at the start of a new
session, before advancing to the IDS screen to input the vehicle VIN and begin working, select
the "IDS System Page" tab at the upper left corner of the screen (tab with the blue IDS logo).
4) Then select the "System Information" sub-tab in the lower left area of the screen (sub-tab with
"computer with magnifying glass" icon)
5) On this screen click on the blue cross next to the menu item for the VCM, and expand the view to
display the VCM info.

VCM Info displayed on the IDS System Page.

6) When looking at this screen, the VCM data is periodically refreshed, so it's "delayed" live data
read from the VCM.
7) When the VCM is functioning correctly, and has complete, normalized communications with IDS,
the BCF, PROM, and Bootstrap info will be displayed, and the red VCM icon should be visible at
lower right, similar to the screen shot above.

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8) When there is no communication possible at all between IDS and the VCM, all of the VCM data
will be listed as "Not Connected", and the red VCM icon will no longer be displayed in the lower
right hand corner of the screen, as pictured in the second screen shot above.

9) If the VCM does not boot up properly, and only partial communications can be established
between the VCM and IDS, all of the VCM data will be displayed as "unknown" but the VCM icon
can still be seen at the lower right corner of the screen as pictured in the third image above.
10) After switching over to this screen to determine the current state of the VCM – IDS
communications status, proceed as instructed on the following page.

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11) If complete VCM data is shown indicating that IDS has full communications with the VCM, no
other action is required. Select the Vehicle ID tab (next tab to the right of the IDS System Page
tab) and carry on with this diagnostic session as normal. Provided the VCM is not "power cycled"
again and there are no other problems with your IDS/VCM at this time, the VCM should have no
loss of communications with the IDS during this session, as it has "booted-up" correctly.

12) If the VCM data is listed as "Not Connected" and your VCM icon is not visible, this would
represent a typical communications problem between the VCM and IDS. Standard visual checks
to confirm all cabling is fitted correctly, and the VCM has power, etc. should be done first. If the
problem cannot be resolved with basic troubleshooting, then IDS users with service support
contracts with SPX as part of a new IDS equipment purchase should contact the SPX IDS
helpdesk for support on this failure.

13) Finally, if IDS displays all of the VCM info as "unknown" this is most likely caused when then
VCM has not "booted-up" correctly on the last "power cycle".

a. If IDS has also displayed the pop-up message instructions to "exit IDS and reboot the
VCM", this pop-up should be dismissed.
b. While watching the "delayed" live VCM data display, power down the VCM by removing
the diagnostic cable from the vehicle, and the additional VCM 12VDC power supply.
(when equipped)
c. The VCM data should change to "Not Connected" after the "delayed" screen data
refreshes.
d. Now restore power for the VCM, and wait for the LED' s on the VCM to settle in to its
normal pattern. The #3 red/on solid, #2 green/steady blink, and #5 amber, may begin to
blink rapidly as the link with IDS is re-established.
e. Now wait again for a few moments to allow the VCM data to refresh.

14) After the VCM "power cycle" has completed, and the results are displayed on the "delayed" live
VCM data display, one of the three original options will return. Follow the appropriate instructions
above in steps 11, 12, or 13, based on the results of this "power cycle" repeating steps 13a
through 13e as required.

15) If it is not possible to establish "full" communications with the VCM as shown in the first screen
image in this document, even after several VCM "power cycles", try re-starting IDS. If problems
persist contact the SPX IDS helpline.

16) If this workaround allows IDS and the VCM to establish full communications, but IDS and the
VCM have other communications problems that are not due to a vehicle related problem, contact
the SPX IDS helpline to troubleshoot these "conventional" IDS issues that would not be
associated with this VCM Boot Error condition.

Additional Info:
As a matter of reference, when viewing VCM data during this workaround, IDS will display specific values
from the VCM. NOTE: The following data for VCM firmware levels etc are what should be seen on your
IDS when running DVD108, which was the current DVD version when this document was published.

Serial number Varies – Often listed as "unknown" this is OK!

BCF PAG_GNA_R10.3
PROM R34
Bootstrap R4

If IDS successfully reads this VCM info and detects incompatible firmware, a message will be displayed to
update the VCM. The VCM data displayed for other IDS software releases will change periodically.

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