MINIFIX
Minifix Product Support
PALFINGER has built a reputation of being a market leader in technical support and lifetime product service. This also rings true with the Minifix liftgate. Whether you need help through our service network or our dedicated Technical Service Team, PALFINGER will ensure your equipment stays up and running. PALFINGER products feature heavy-duty, hardened and corrosion-protected pins with low-maintenance greaseable bushings. The power packs are equipped with thermo-switch-protected motors and extra heavy-duty solenoids.
Product Specific troubleshooting
Keeping your equipment up and on the road is priority number one. When using our troubleshooting guide with assistance from our dedicated technical service team, you can feel confident that your liftgate will be repaired correctly and in a timely fashion.
NOTE: Please always use a digital voltmeter when checking voltage to determine if you have enough power to operate the liftgate.
GATE DOES NOT TILT OPEN UP
Check Battery Power
- Check the resettable Circuit Breaker on top of the battery ▶ Push the Reset Tab back in; if popped out
- Check the fuse on top of the battery (qty 1) and at the circuit board (qty 2) inside the pump and motor box at the mount frame
- Start the van and run the engine at fast idle to charge the battery ▶ if the liftgate starts working, recharge the battery ▶ test the battery and replace it if necessary
- Check power on board between J-11 #4 and J-2 (-) with a voltmeter by pushing the up-function knob and hold for 10 sec with the gate in stored position (DEADHEAD GATE) (above 10 Volt is necessary for proper use of liftgate) ▶ less than 10 V; Jump #2 to #4 on J-11▶ voltage jumps more than 1volt, call PALFINGER for assistance
****DO NOT LEAVE JUMPER ON J-11 – GATE MUST BE SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN USE****
Check for Short in Optional Equipment
- Unplug J-3 (foot control), J-41 (B-13, B16, jump J-11 #4 to J-41 #GN) and J-31 (Hand control)
- Keep the three connectors unplugged (gate will operate without plugs connected, loose auto tilt)
- Unplug J-1 (Main power), wait 10 seconds, and plug J-1 back into the board (Reset the board)
- Plug each connector back, one at a time, and check the functions of the gate after plugging in each
Check the Voltage Supply to the Release Valve on the Tilt Cylinder
- Check voltage at J4 #14 and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing the open knob for opening up the release valve S2 at the tilt cylinder. No Voltage ▶ check for a bad knob or loose wire to the control panel.
- Listen for clicking of the release valve at the tilt cylinder (connected to the platform)
- If the valve is not clicking ▶ check the wire for damaged spots, loose connections, or a bad valve
Check Motor Solenoid Power
- Check voltage at J-1 #3 and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing knob to engage motor solenoid
- No voltage ▶ board might be damaged
- Check voltage at small motor solenoid terminals and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing the knob and listen for clicking of the motor solenoid – no voltage or clicking ▶ check the wire to the motor solenoid
- Check for voltage across the small motor solenoid terminals with a test light while pushing the knob
- See a light ▶ power is reaching solenoid.
- Check for main power at the big solenoid studs; one has voltage; if not, check connections to the battery
- Check both big solenoid studs for voltage while pushing the opening knob ▶ if not ▶ solenoid is bad
- Jump large terminals at the motor solenoid
- If motor runs ▶ motor solenoid is bad
- If motor does not run ▶ Bad motor or bad ground
- Tap on motor ▶ motor starts running – bad brushes
GATE IS NOT LOWERING DOWN
Check Battery Power
- Check the resettable Circuit Breaker on top of the battery ▶ Push the Reset Tab back in; if popped out
- Check the fuse on top of the battery (qty 1) and at the circuit board (qty 2) inside the pump and motor box at the mount frame
- Start the van and run the engine at fast idle to charge the battery ▶ if the liftgate starts working, recharge the battery ▶ test the battery and replace it if necessary
- Check power on board between J-11 #4 and J-2 (-) with a voltmeter by pushing the up-function knob and holding for 10 sec with the gate in stored position (DEADHEAD GATE) (above 10 Volt is necessary for proper use of liftgate) ▶ less than 10 V; Jump #2 to #4 on J-11 ▶ voltage jumps more than 1 volt, call PALFINGER for assistance
****DO NOT LEAVE JUMPER ON J-11 – GATE MUST BE SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN USE****
Check for Short in Optional Equipment
- Unplug J-3(foot control), J-41(B-13, B16, jump J-11 #4 to J-41 #GN), and J-31(Hand control) Keep the 3 connectors unplugged (gate will operate without plugs connected, loose auto tilt)
- Unplug J-1 (Main power), wait 10 seconds, and plug J-1 back into the board (Reset the board)
- Plug each connector back, one at a time, and check the functions of gate after plugging in each
Check the Voltage Supply to the Release Valve on the Lift Cylinder
- Check voltage between Ground J-2 #(-) to J4 #15 while pushing the lowering knob for opening the release valve at the lift cylinder. No voltage ▶ check for bad knob or loose wires to control knobs
- Listen for the clicking of the release valve at the lift cylinder (connected to the lift arm)
▶ If the valve is not clicking ▶ check the wire for damaged spots or loose connections
Gate is Lowering Down Very Slowly ▶ S5 at Motor not Engaged
- Check the voltage at J1 #12 and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing the knob to engage the shift valve S5 at the pump and motor inside the box at the main frame underneath the van.
- Override the shift valve by pushing in at the cab of the shift valve while pushing the down knob
▶ Gate will lower down ▶ check the valve and look for damaged wire or loose connections
GATE IS NOT AUTO TILTING AT GROUND LEVEL
Check Battery Power
- Check the resettable Circuit Breaker on top of the battery ▶ Push the Reset Tab back in; if popped out
- Check the fuse on top of the battery (qty 1) and at the circuit board (qty 2) inside the pump and motor box at the mount frame
- Start the van and run the engine at fast idle to charge the battery ▶ if the liftgate starts working, recharge the battery ▶ test the battery and replace it if necessary
- Check power on board between J-11 #4 and J-2 (-) with a voltmeter by pushing the up-function knob and holding for 10 sec with the gate in stored position (DEADHEAD GATE) (above 10 Volt is necessary for proper use of liftgate) ▶ less than 10 V; Jump #2 to #4 on J-11 ▶ voltage jumps more than 1 volt, call PALFINGER for assistance
****DO NOT LEAVE JUMPER ON J-11 – GATE MUST BE SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN USE****
Check Adjustment of Auto-tilt Sensor B-13
- Check the position of the B-13 Sensor on the inside of the passenger-side lift arm
▶ The sensor has to be in a horizontal position when the gate is 8”-10” above ground
- Check if the outer J-41 Plug is loose (color sequence = blue, black, brown)
Check Function of Control Buttons (J30) and Hand Control (J31)
- Check voltage at J30 #4 to Ground J-2 #(-) for power supply of the control buttons
- Check voltage at J30 #6 (lower) to Ground J-2 #(-) for lowering signal by pushing down knob
▶ Signal on J30 #6 ▶ control buttons are ok; if no signal ▶ check for damaged wire or loose cables to control buttons or damaged buttons
Check the Voltage Supply to the Release Valve on the Tilt Cylinder
- Check voltage at J41 #(BLACK)(B-13) to Ground J-2 #(-) while platform is on ground ▶ 12V
- Check voltage at J41 #(BLUE)(B-13) to Ground J-2 #(-) while platform is on ground ▶ 12V
▶ No voltage on BLUE ▶ Look for damaged spots or loose connection or B-13 is bad
- Check voltage at J4 #14 to Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing the lowering button when the gate is on the ground for opening up the release valve S2 at the tilt cylinder
- Listen for clicking of the release valve at the tilt cylinder (connected to the platform) ▶ If the valve is not clicking ▶ check the wire for damaged spots or loose connections
GATE IS NOT TILTING UP AT GROUND
Check Battery Power
- Check the resettable Circuit Breaker on top of the battery ▶ Push the Reset Tab back in; if popped out
- Check the fuse on top of the battery (qty 1) and at the circuit board (qty 2) inside the pump and motor box at the mount frame
- Start the van and run the engine at fast idle to charge the battery ▶ if the liftgate starts working, recharge the battery ▶ test the battery and replace it if necessary
- Check power on board between J-11 #4 and J-2 (-) with a voltmeter by pushing the up-function knob and holding for 10 sec with the gate in stored position (DEADHEAD GATE) (above 10 Volt is necessary for proper use of liftgate) ▶ less than 10 V; Jump #2 to #4 on J-11 ▶ voltage jumps more than 1 volt, call PALFINGER for assistance
****DO NOT LEAVE JUMPER ON J-11 – GATE MUST BE SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN USE****
Check the Function of the Control Buttons (J-30) and Hand Control (J31)
- Check voltage at J30 #4 to Ground J-2 #(-) for power supply of the control buttons
- Check voltage at J30 #5(lift) to Ground J-2 #(-) for lifting signal by pushing up buttons
▶ Signal on J30 #5 ▶ control buttons are ok; if there is no signal, check for damaged wire or loose cables at control buttons or damaged buttons.
Check the Motor Solenoid Power to Run the Motor
- Check voltage at J-1 #3 to Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing lift knobs to engage motor solenoid
- Check for voltage at small motor solenoid terminals and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing knobs and listen for clicking of the motor solenoid – no voltage or clicking ▶ check the wire to the motor solenoid
- Check for voltage across the small motor solenoid terminals with test light while pushing knobs
▶ See a light ▶ power is reaching solenoid
- Check for main power at the big solenoid studs; one has voltage; if not, check connections to the battery
- Check both big solenoid studs for voltage while pushing the lifting buttons ▶ if not ▶ solenoid is bad
- Jump large terminals at the motor solenoid
- If motor runs ▶ motor solenoid is bad
- If motor does not run ▶ Bad motor or bad ground
- Tap on motor ▶ motor starts running – bad brushes
Check the Function of the Shift Valve S5 at the Pump & Motor
- Check voltage at J1 #12 and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing buttons to engage the shift valve at the pump and motor inside the main tube
- While pushing the knobs to make the motor run, override shift valve S5 by pushing in at the cab of the valve ▶ Gate will tilt up, if not ▶ check the valve and look for damaged wire or loose connections
GATE IS NOT LIFTING UP
Check Battery Power
- Check the resettable Circuit Breaker on top of the battery ▶ Push the Reset Tab back in; if popped out
- Check the fuse on top of the battery (qty 1) and at the circuit board (qty 2) inside the pump and motor box at the mount frame
- Start the van and run the engine at fast idle to charge the battery ▶ if the liftgate starts working, recharge the battery ▶ test the battery and replace it if necessary
- Check power on board between J-11 #4 and J-2 (-) with a voltmeter by pushing the up-function knob and holding for 10 sec with the gate in stored position (DEADHEAD GATE) (above 10 Volt is necessary for proper use of liftgate) ▶ less than 10 V; Jump #2 to #4 on J-11 ▶ voltage jumps more than 1 volt, call PALFINGER for assistance
****DO NOT LEAVE JUMPER ON J-11 – GATE MUST BE SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN USE****
Check the Function of the Control Buttons (J-30) and Hand Control (J31)
- Check voltage at J30 #4 to Ground J-2 #(-) for power supply of the control buttons
- Check voltage at J30 #5(lift) to Ground J-2 #(-) for lifting signal by pushing up buttons
▶ Signal on J30 #5 ▶ control buttons are ok; if there is no signal, check for damaged wire or loose cables at control buttons or damaged buttons.
Check for Short in Optional Equipment
- Unplug J-3 (foot control), J-41 (B-13, B16, jump J-11 #4 to J-41 #GN) and J-31 (Hand control)
- Keep the three connectors unplugged (gate will operate without plugs connected, loose auto tilt)
- Unplug J-1 (Main power), wait 10 seconds, and plug J-1 back into the board (Reset the board)
- Plug each connector back, one at a time, and check the functions of the gate after plugging in each
Check the Motor Solenoid Power to Run the Motor
- Check voltage at J-1 #3 to Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing lift knobs to engage motor solenoid
- Check for voltage at small motor solenoid terminals and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing knobs and listen for clicking of the motor solenoid – no voltage or clicking ▶ check the wire to the motor solenoid
- Check for voltage across the small motor solenoid terminals with test light while pushing knobs
▶ See a light ▶ power is reaching solenoid
- Check for main power at the big solenoid studs; one has voltage; if not, check connections to the battery
- Check both big solenoid studs for voltage while pushing the lifting buttons ▶ if not ▶ solenoid is bad
- Jump large terminals at the motor solenoid
- If motor runs ▶ motor solenoid is bad
- If motor does not run ▶ Bad motor or bad ground
- Tap on motor ▶ motor starts running – bad brushes
GATE IS NOT CLOSING
Check Battery Power
- Check the resettable Circuit Breaker on top of the battery ▶ Push the Reset Tab back in; if popped out
- Check the fuse on top of the battery (qty 1) and at the circuit board (qty 2) inside the pump and motor box at the mount frame
- Start the van and run the engine at fast idle to charge the battery ▶ if the liftgate starts working, recharge the battery ▶ test the battery and replace it if necessary
- Check power on board between J-11 #4 and J-2 (-) with a voltmeter by pushing the up-function knob and holding for 10 sec with the gate in stored position (DEADHEAD GATE) (above 10 Volt is necessary for proper use of liftgate) ▶ less than 10 V; Jump #2 to #4 on J-11 ▶ voltage jumps more than 1 volt, call PALFINGER for assistance
****DO NOT LEAVE JUMPER ON J-11 – GATE MUST BE SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN USE****
Check the Function of the Control Buttons (J-30) and Hand Control (J31)
- Check voltage at J30 #4 to Ground J-2 #(-) for power supply of the control buttons
- Check voltage at J30 #3 (lift) to Ground J-2 #(-) for lifting signal by pushing up buttons
▶ Signal on J30 #3 ▶ control buttons are ok; if there is no signal, check for damaged wire or loose cables at control buttons or damaged buttons.
Check for the S5 Valve on the Pump & Motor is not Engaged
- Check Voltage at J1 #12 and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing buttons to engage the shift valve S5 at the pump and motor inside the box at the mount frame underneath the van
- Override the shift valve S5 by pushing in at the cab on shift valve S5 while pushing the buttons
▶ Gate will close up ▶ check the valve and look for damaged wire or loose connections
Check the Motor Solenoid Power to Run the Motor
- Check voltage at J-1 #3 to Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing lift knobs to engage motor solenoid
- Check for voltage at small motor solenoid terminals and Ground J-2 #(-) while pushing knobs and listen for clicking of the motor solenoid – no voltage or clicking ▶ check the wire to the motor solenoid
- Check for voltage across the small motor solenoid terminals with test light while pushing knobs
▶ See a light ▶ power is reaching solenoid
- Check for main power at the big solenoid studs; one has voltage; if not, check connections to the battery
- Check both big solenoid studs for voltage while pushing the lifting buttons ▶ if not ▶ solenoid is bad
- Jump large terminals at the motor solenoid
- If motor runs ▶ motor solenoid is bad
- If motor does not run ▶ Bad motor or bad ground
- Tap on motor ▶ motor starts running – bad brushes
