Thermo Scientific ETD Getting Started Manual page 68

7
Troubleshooting
Table 3. ETD module problems, causes, and solutions
Problem
With the emission current at the
correct level, no ions appear at
m/z 202.
With the emission current at the
correct level, the m/z 202 signal
intensity drops slowly over several
days.
With the emission current at the
correct level, the m/z 202 signal
significantly drops within one hour.
With a low emission current, there is
a sudden and complete drop of the
m/z 202 signal.
The m/z 202 signal is less than ~2E5
in profile mode.
A system error message advises that
the maximum injection time has
been reached for the ETD AGC.
52 MS/ETD System Getting Started Guide
Cause
The m/z 202 is outside of the mass
range.
The system is not displaying the
reagent ion spectra. After
automatically tuning the reagent ion
source, the spectrum view redisplays
the spectra of ions from the API
source, and the View Reagent Ion
Source check box in the Reagent Ion
Source dialog box is clear.
The filament is bent.
The ion volume is worn or
contaminated.
The reagent vial might be empty.
The filament might have just blown
out.
The reagent ion source needs
retuning. A typical m/z 202 signal is
about 5E6 to IE7 (in profile mode)
with reagent ion isolations enabled
and with a clean ion source and ion
volume.
The AGC target has not been
reached within the specified time
limit. The ion volume is worn or
contaminated.
Solution
Set the starting mass lower.
In the Reagent Ion Source dialog box
(Figure 18 on page 28), select the View
Reagent Ion Spectra check box.
Replace the filament as described in the
ETD Module Hardware Manual.
Clean or replace the ion volume when
the ion injection time exceeds 100 ms as
described in the ETD Module Hardware
Manual.
Replace the fluoranthene vial as
described in the ETD Module Hardware
Manual.
Check the filament. Replace it if
necessary as described in the ETD
Module Hardware Manual.
Retune according to the instructions in
Chapter 3, "Tuning."
1. Clean the ion volume as described
in the ETD Module Hardware
Manual.
2. Increase the maximum injection
time limit, which is typically set to
50 ms.
For details, see "Viewing the
Injection Reagent Settings"
page 33.
on
Thermo Scientific