Litter Robot Cannot Find Dump Position

Hi!

I require your help regarding a problem I’m encountering.

Description: My litter robot 3 recently started flashing the blue-yellow-green “cannot find dump position” error code and won’t cycle after the cats use it. If I press “reset” and then “cycle” it will cycle as normally (or almost as normally, see below) but when it returns to the home position the same error lights start flashing again. One thing I have noticed is that, when it is cycling and it reaches the end of its first turn, there’s a short squealing noise and the dome over-rotates slightly before rotating back.

Hardware concerned: Litter robot 3.

Software concerned: N/A

Troubleshooting steps already taken: I have taken the following steps already mentioned in a few similar posts:

  1. unplugging it and plugging it in again
  2. cleaning the unit
  3. slightly opening the pin in the power jack
  4. making sure that it is plugged directly into the wall using its original power adaptor
  5. making sure that the unit is on level ground and not touching anything else
  6. checking the motor gear to ensure that it is tight and not free-spinning, and
  7. making sure that the globe is properly aligned in the groove on the base.

Additional information: A number of other people have reported a very similar issue so I’m hoping that this is a known issue! :slight_smile:

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Shaun

Hi @Strongbad789 and welcome to the forum!

If the magnets in the globe are OK (read here: https://community.robotshop.com/blog/show/litter-robot-iii-open-air-the-secret-behind-the-globe#Magnets%20for%20tracking%20the%20position) then your robot probably has problem with Hall-effect sensor.

It is either misplaced or not working properly. You can buy new wiring harness which contains this sensor (https://www.robotshop.com/en/litter-robot-3-open-air-wiring-harness.html) and you can replace it using this instruction: https://community.robotshop.com/blog/show/litter-robot-iii-the-hall-effect-sensor

If you are still in warranty please advise.

1 Like

Hi!

Sorry I’m a little late in responding, but I just wanted to thank you for the information.

I’m a bit late because it’s taken me this long to actually try the fixes you recommend (for the past few months I’ve just been resetting it every time I check and then pressing the “cycle” button; this worked, but obviously wasn’t a permanent fix). So when I finally decided to try to fix it, I checked the magnets and they were fine, so I ordered the wiring harness and installed it today, and it worked!

The wiring part was a little fiddly but everything was pretty straightforward. And a $20 wiring harness is definitely a lot better than buying a whole new machine.

So anyway, thanks again. And stay safe!

Strongbad

2 Likes

We are glad to hear that!

Stay safe!

2 posts were split to a new topic: Litter-Robot 3 cannot find dump position

My litter robot 3 had the same problem: could not find the dump position and overturned when dumping.
I called Litter Robot customer support. One told me to change the key and the other one told me to deep-clean or replace the globe. None of these worked.

I ordered the wiring harness and replaced the old one. Now my litter robot 3 is working fine.

1 Like

Hi @shawnwang ,

That’s good news.

Usually the problem is with the Hall sensors from the wiring harness (considering your robot is clean, you are using original power supply adapter and globe magnets are good).