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Geotab GO9 Troubleshooting Guide

This article contains steps to troubleshoot Geotab GO 9 devices installations.

Part 1: Perspio Pre-Checks – Confirming Device Visibility

Before physically inspecting the GO9 or assuming the issue is hardware-related, start in Perspio by following the checks below:

1. Use Device Health

  1. Open the Asset Inspector and select the Asset that needs troubleshooting.

  2. Navigate to Configuration→ Device→ Select the Device→ Health

  3. Review the following key health indicators:

    • Last Communicated Utc — when the device last sent data.

    • Battery Voltage — whether battery voltage is being received.

    • Standard Harness Detect — whether a harness was installed.

If the asset does not appear at all or returns null / stale values, proceed to next checks.

2. Enable the Asset in Perspio

  1. From the Perspio Home screen, access the Settings / Inventory menu.

  2. Select Inventory → Assets.

  3. Click on the Asset Disabled sub-tab to view assets currently deactivated.

  4. Use the Search bar to filter by the device name or Perspio ID.

  5. In the Actions column, click Enable.

  6. Wait for the confirmation message “Success! Data saved successfully.”

This reactivates the asset to receive telemetry.

3. Navigate to the Asset and Validate Telemetry

  1. After reactivation, navigate to the Assets → Map / Inspector interface.

  2. Search for the asset (e.g. “GO9: Odi’s VW”).

  3. Click the asset to open the Snapshot / Inspector view.

In this view, confirm:

  • Live GPS position or recent location

  • Speed, heading, ignition state if relevant

  • Telemetry values or sensor data (depending on your schema)

  • Device connectivity and “last seen” timestamp

  • Ensure Data Ingestion Service Flag is turned on. More info here.

Make sure the data matches expectations (e.g. movement, battery voltage).

4. Review Sharing / Configuration if Part of Multi-Tenant Setup

If you intend to share this asset with another tenant:

  1. While viewing the asset in Configuration → Sharing, verify Telemetry Sharing and Details Sharing entries.

  2. Confirm Target Tenant ID, Target Asset ID, and Sharing Profile are correctly configured.

  3. Click Save (if in edit mode) and verify a success banner appears. (See your sharing UI screenshot.)

If telemetry or configuration does not appear in the target tenant, check that the target tenant and asset ID are correct and check the Sharing Profile as well.

 

Part 2: Hardware / GO9 Verification

Before expecting data in Perspio, you must confirm that the GO9 is properly installed, powered, and communicating.

If you are performing the install for the first time, please refer to this article.

If the install has already been performed and the device still fails to communicate, ensure that the battery isolator is off.

Step 1: Check Device LED Status via MyInstall

  1. With the vehicle engine running, navigate to the Geotab MyInstall.

  2. Enter the Device Serial Number found on the GO9.

  3. If the portal says “Device Not Communicating,” proceed to further checks.

  4. Inspect the GO9 LEDs:

    • Red LED — Ignition / Engine ON detection

    • Green LED — Cellular connection

    • Blue LED — GPS / location fix

    If the device is communicating but the Blue LED is not illuminated, 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.

    If none of the LEDs light up, the device may be nonfunctional or disconnected.

  5. If you have another known-working GO device, you may swap it in to isolate whether the issue is the hardware itself.

Step 2: Verify Physical Connections

  1. Confirm the T-harness to GO9 connection is solid and cable-tied securely.

  2. If the GO9 connects directly (without T-harness), verify the diagnostic plug is seated fully.

  3. Check the T-harness to vehicle diagnostic connector—no loose pins, no corrosion, no bent pins.

If all connections seem fine but the problem persists, proceed to a reset.

Step 3: Perform a Hard Reset

  1. Turn the engine off.

  2. Unplug both ends of the T-harness (GO9 side and vehicle side).

  3. Inspect all pin contacts and connectors for damage.

  4. Reconnect firmly and start the engine.

  5. Listen for six quick beeps (indicates GO9 reboot).

  6. Re-check the LED status.

If the LEDs still fail to activate, proceed to power diagnostics.

Step 4: Use a Multimeter to Test Power and Ground

  1. With the engine off, unplug the harness from the vehicle connector.

  2. Start the engine (or turn ignition ON, depending on harness wiring).

  3. Use a multimeter to test:

    • Ground pin (per connector type: e.g. Pin 4 on 16-pin OBD, or labelled ground on 6- or 9-pin)

    • Power pin (Pin 16 on 16-pin OBD, or equivalent)

    If there is no voltage on the power pin, check the relevant fuse or vehicle wiring.
    If power and ground are correct, the device itself or its harness may be defective.

Step 5: Final Verification and Reinstallation

  • After successful diagnostics, reseat all connections, affix using cable ties, and affix the GO9 with proper orientation (antenna skyward, secure mount).

  • Return the dash panels and restore vehicle to original configuration.

  • In a location with good sky visibility, revisit installmygps or MyInstall to confirm GO9 communication and LED activations.

  • Ensure Red + Green + Blue LEDs are active (if expected).

  • If still no success, contact us via servicedesk@perspio.io.

 

Troubleshooting Matrix Summary

Symptom Probable Root Cause Suggested Action
No LED lights Power / ground missing or faulty hardware Check wiring, fuses, test with multimeter, consider replacement
Blue LED never turns on GPS signal issue, antenna blocked, orientation Move to open sky, reorient device, drive to acquire signal
Device communicates but Perspio shows no data Data Ingestion Service Flag disabled Enable the Data Ingestion Service Flag to ensure data flow to Perspio
Telemetry inconsistent Module or harness intermittency, signal disruptions Re-seat connections, confirm cellular coverage, run diagnostics again

Tips & Best Practices

  • Always start the engine when performing LED or communication checks.

  • Perform the first install in an open-sky space to give GPS and cellular signals a chance.

  • Retain the GO9’s serial and log any support ticket references (number, date, behavior).

  • During Perspio setup, ensure the asset maps to the correct schema and type.

  • Use Audit Logs in Perspio to trace changes in configuration or sharing.

If after performing all of these checks the device still fails to communicate or behave as expected, escalate a support ticket including:

  • GO9 Serial Number

  • Vehicle make and diagnostic connector type

  • Steps you followed and results (LEDs, connection tests, multimeter readings)

  • Perspio asset identifiers and whether sharing is configured

Send all relevant information to servidesk@perspio.io.