4 Common Genie Scissor Lift Fault Codes & How to Solve Them
Like any complex machinery, Genie scissor lifts can occasionally throw up fault codes. Understanding and addressing these fault codes is essential to minimize downtime and ensure the safety and efficiency of your operations.
This article delves into four common fault codes encountered with Genie scissor lifts and provides step-by-step solutions to resolve them. Whether you’re facing a joystick calibration issue (Fault Code 47), a communication error between the ECM and platform controls (Fault Code 02), or any other code, we've got you covered.
Get ready to tackle these common challenges with confidence and keep your lifts running smoothly.
How to Read Genie Scissor Lift Fault Codes
On modern Genie scissor lift models, you can read the fault code on the alpha numeric platform control display and ground control display.
Alternatively, any fault codes can be read and diagnosed with a diagnostic tool. We highly recommend a multi-brand diagnostic tool like Jaltest if you have other MHE brands in your fleet, or also work with commercial vehicles or off-highway equipment.
4 Genie Scissor Lift Fault Codes and What They Mean
1 - Genie Scissor Lift Fault Code 47
Fault code 47 is triggered when the joystick is not in a neutral position when powering up. If the joystick is not in the neutral position, the lift won’t work properly and will be hard to control. Before taking any other steps to fix the issue, ensure the joystick is not being pushed in any direction upon start-up and stays centered.
How to Solve Fault Code 47
Turn the red emergency stop button to the on position for the ground control and platform control. Then, open the platform control box lid.
Find the potentiometer, which should be on the base of the joystick controller. Have a voltmeter ready to read DC voltage. Put the volt meter positive lead on the brown wire and the negative lead on the purple wire.
Get the potentiometer shaft to rotate by loosening the screw.
Make sure the joystick is in the neutral position and adjust the potentiometer voltage to 2.05V DC. Tighten the loosened screw.
Move the joystick in each direction repeatedly and return the joystick to the neutral position. Continue these steps until the volt meter reads 2.05V DC.
Turn the key switch off and wait before turning the key switch to the platform controls.
If the fault code continues to show, use a diagnostic scanner to find deeper issues.
2 - Genie Scissor Lift Fault Code 02
Fault code 02 occurs when there is a communication error between the Electronic Control Module (ECM) and the platform controls.
How to Solve Fault Code 02
There’s multiple ways to troubleshoot fault code 02.
Make sure the ECM and platform controls are functioning correctly.
Ensure that the software for the ECM is up to date. Check with the manufacturer for any available firmware updates.
Look for any loose or damaged wires between the ECM and the platform controls.
Examine the wiring harness for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. Repair or replace as necessary.
Inspect relevant fuses and relays for the platform controls and replace any that are blown.
Try to power cycle the lift.
ECM-related issues are hard to identify and can be complex. If the above steps don’t solve the problem, Jaltest can help you get to the root cause. If you don’t have Jaltest, reach out to your dealer or Genie support.
3 - Genie Scissor Lift Fault Code 59
Fault code 59 indicates an issue with the lift motor circuit or an open circuit to the series/parallel solenoid. For the most part, only larger GS models have a solenoid. The fault code can usually be fixed by changing the software configuration settings.
How to Solve Fault Code 59
At the ground controls, pull out the red emergency stop button to the on position.
At the platform controls, push in the emergency stop button to the off position.
Turn the key switch to platform controls.
At the platform controls, press and hold both the Lift Function Select and Speed Select buttons. While holding these, pull out the red Emergency Stop button to the "on" position. The display should read “SC”.
Release the Lift Function Select and Speed Select buttons. The diagnostic display should show the current configuration.
Press the Lift Function Select button. The “tens” digit setting should be activated, and the current setting will flash on the diagnostic display. Use the steering thumb rocker switch on the joystick to adjust the value. Press and hold the Lift Function Select button for at least 3 seconds to save the “tens” value.
Press the Speed Select button. The “ones” digit setting will be activated, and the current setting will flash on the diagnostic display. Use the same instructions above to change the value and save it.
Turn the key switch to the "Off" position. Any changes to the software settings will take effect once the lift is powered off and back on.
4 - Genie Scissor Lift Fault Code C021
Fault code C021 indicates a loss of signal from the platform controller to the ground control. This issue arises when the electrical or data link between the two controllers is interrupted.
How to Solve Genie Scissor Lift Fault Code C021
Inspect the control cable for signs of damage or wear and tear. Replace the cable if damaged.
If there’s no visible damage to the control cable, disconnect the platform controller and test each wire for ground control response individually. This can tell you what specific wire is causing the issue.
A quick reset of the controllers or power cycling the lift might solve the problem.
How Do You Clear the Code on a Genie Scissor Lift?
The easiest way to clear fault codes on a Genie scissor lift is using Jaltest diagnostic software. Jaltest software enables direct communication with the machine's diagnostic system, allowing it to easily identify and clear stored fault codes.
