Support Document

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How to Successfully Troubleshoot a Faulty GO Device

February 2022




Step One: Check the GO Device LED Status

To begin the troubleshooting process:

  1. Locate the GO device in your vehicle.
  2. NOTE: To access the GO device, you may need to remove the dash panel and cut cable ties. For now, do not cut the cable tie fastening the GO device to the T-harness.

  3. Start the engine.
  4. Run the engine for approximately 60 seconds.
  5. With the engine running, visit install.geotab.com.
    1. In the Device Serial No field, enter the serial number, which you can find on the GO device.
  6. If the result is “Device Not Communicating,” proceed to Step Two, below.
  7. Check the GO device LED status.
  8. If the result is “Device Communicating” but the Blue LED does not turn on, refer to the section, Troubleshooting the Blue LED.
  9. If none of the LEDs turn on, you can try connecting a spare device if one is available.
  10. If a spare device is not available, test the current device in another working vehicle. This will help determine if the GO device is faulty or not.

To continue troubleshooting the GO device in the original vehicle, proceed to Step Two.

Step Two: Check Connections

  1. Check for a secure connection between the T-harness and the GO device — they should be firmly fastened by a cable tie.
  2. NOTE: In some cases, the device is plugged directly into the vehicle’s diagnostic connector; in such scenarios, that connection needs to be physically checked to make sure the device is completely plugged in.

  3. If the T-harness is securely connected to the GO device, check for a secure connection between the T-harness and the vehicle’s diagnostic connector.

If the connections are secure and the problem persists, proceed to Step Three.

Step Three: Perform a Hard Reset

  1. Turn the engine off.
  2. Unplug the T-harness from the GO device and the vehicle’s diagnostic connector.
  3. Check the pins on the T-harness and diagnostic connector to see if any are damaged.
  4. If the T-harness pins are damaged, the harness will need to be replaced.
  5. If no pins are damaged, reconnect the T-harness to the GO device and the vehicle’s diagnostic connector.
  6. Start the engine. You should hear six, quick beeps upon startup.
  7. Check the GO device LED status again.

If the LEDs do not turn on, proceed to Step Four.

Step Four: Use a Multimeter to Check for Ground and Power

  1. Turn the engine off.
  2. Unplug the T-harness from the vehicle’s diagnostic connector.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Use a multimeter to check the pins on the vehicle’s diagnostic connector. Based on your vehicle type, refer to one of the diagrams below:
  5. 16-Pin Diagnostic Connector

    1. Pin 4 for ground
    2. Pin 16 for power
  6. 9-Pin Diagnostic Connector

    1. Pin A for ground
    2. Pin B for power
  7. 6-Pin Diagnostic Connector

    1. Pin E for ground
    2. Pin C for power
  8. If there is no power on the power pin, refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual to locate and replace the fuse.

If none of these steps solve the problem, the issue is likely with your equipment. Please contact your partner to replace the GO device and T-harness.


Steps after Successful Troubleshooting

If you successfully troubleshoot your GO device after one of the steps above:

Resecure the Connections and GO Device

  1. Resecure all the connections using cable ties (if cable ties were cut earlier).
  2. Mount the device to a secure, solid part of the vehicle with the GPS antenna facing skyward (if the GO device was dismounted earlier).

Perform an Installation Test on the GO Device

NOTE: Before beginning the test, make sure you have the GO device serial number and vehicle information.

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Ensure the GO device’s Red and Green LEDs are on.
    1. Red LED — Ignition (Engine ON) detection
  • Green LED — Cellular network connection
  • Blue LED — GPS network connection
  • Troubleshooting the Green LED

  • If the Green LED does not turn on, make sure the vehicle is positioned in an area with good cellular coverage.
  • Troubleshooting the Blue LED

  • If you installed the GO device previously, the Blue LED should turn on. If it does not, ensure the vehicle has a good line of sight to the sky. In some cases, you may need to drive your vehicle to activate the Blue LED.
  • Finalize the Installation

  • Verify the GO device installation using install.geotab.com.
  • Reattach any dash panels that were removed, then return the vehicle to its original position.
  • Additional Notes

    If the above steps do not help the device communication, please contact your reseller or create a support ticket (How to Create a Support Ticket Through MyGeotab).

    When contacting support, please include the following information to assist in expediting the process:

    1. How many devices are not communicating?
    2. How long has the device been installed for?
    3. When did the device stop communicating?
    4. Where are the devices located?
    5. Are they all in the same location?
    6. If any, what MyGeotab Faults are present?
    7. If possible, what carrier does the GO device(s) communicate on?
    8. What troubleshooting has been performed?
    9. What were the results of troubleshooting?

    For more information on installation documentation, please visit this link.

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