5977A MSD Fault 2 RFPA difficulty

RFPA = Radio Frequency Power Amplifier.   The High Vacuum gauge is probably faulty as 10^-9 torr is not achievable.  However, the RFPA error could be thrown with poor vacuum.  Is the high vacuum a turbomolecular pump or a diffusion pump?  How long since the last preventive maintenance was done on the rough pump?  Are you certain the vacuum is good?  

Fault 2 in your post title is    

Fault 4 is    

Help - > Troubleshooting says:

First is vacuum, then RFPA is not adjusted correctly.   The steps to adjust the Quad Frequency are detailed starting on page 134 of the 5977 Series MSD Troubleshooting and Maintenance Manual.   In general, "dipping the quad" doesn't fix problems, it tells you if the circuitry is functioning correctly.

And let us know what you find.

Thank you. 

High vacuum is turbomolecular pump. For the rough pump, last oil change was 4 months ago. I check the oil level each week and it is ok, but after closer inspection there seem to be a little be of oil on the pan. So rough pump may have a small leak and probably need a maintenance. 

But..

I check the vacuum again on the ms screen and I had 7.70e-10 ! 

When I checked this morning, it was right after I tried to do an air and water check. I tested it again: when I start the air and water check, vacuum drop to e-07 / e-08.. after a couple of minute, I got 3.78e-09... I guess I'll have e-10 after some times..

Is it normal to change like that ? I guess the clicking sound i hear is the calibrant valve ? Seems like a lot of vacuum variation for just this part ?

Also, I'm a little lost with the vacuum values: the vacuum on the MS Screen is really different from the tunes reports i had since the installation. If I check my tunes reports, i usually have e-05 / e-06. Big difference between this and e-09 / e-10! 

If I check with my Agilent GCMSMS (other instrument) right now I have the same value for the tune report, the MS Screen (MS Parameters) and the value on the software (8.46e-05). 

What is a good vacuum on the GCMS ?

Thank you for your time, really interesting!

The steps to adjust the Quad Frequency are detailed starting on page 134 of the 5977 Series MSD Troubleshooting and Maintenance Manual. 

https://www.agilent.com/cs/library/usermanuals/public/user-manual-gc-msd-system-5977B-series-G7077-90035-en-agilent.pdf

 In general, "dipping the quad" doesn't fix problems, it tells you if the circuitry is functioning correctly.

I cannot reach the setpoints temperature for the source and quad: fault happens after a couple of seconds whatever I do and temperature (source and quad) switch off and drop. Can I still try to adjust the quad frequency ?

I would suggest you call your country's Agilent service toll free number and get a service visit.

Alright. Since we can use our other GCMSMS meanwhile and I'm not sure I have the budget for this reparation right now, what is the best way for long term storage? Should I vent, power off GC and MS ?

(6) How to shut down an Agilent GC/MS for power fails up to long term storage 17Mar2020.pdf - Files - GC/MS - Agilent Community

Thank you for your help!

Thank you for your help!