Put Your CatGenie in "Tech Mode"

So let's say you've got a problem with your CatGenie: the arm won't come out, the bowl isn't turning or is full of yuck, you're not sure it's pumping solution, the granules are always wet - the list of possibilities is a million billion miles long, but you get the idea.

Your CG, as a complex electronic device, has a built-in diagnostic mode that you, as a CG owner, can use to help you get it working again. Now those nice folks at CatGenie don't want this to be common knowledge for the very legitimate reason that you can damage your CG and quite possibly your whole house if you screw this up. Leave the motor running or the fan blowing and you could burn the dumb thing up - or burn your house down. Leave the water running and you'll have one helluva mess. So be careful with this information.

That said, let me say this: I am giving you the codes and the knowledge to use them - but you do so at your own risk. I have had my CG's long enough that they are out of warranty, and it appears that CatGenie is really not that enthused about supporting them - they'd rather upgrade ya to the fancy new 120. Fine - a company's gotta make money; on the other hand, if they're not going to support us, I figger we need all the information we can get to support ourselves. Damn the man!!! :-)

Step 1 Doing Your Diagnostic Thang

How To Enter Diagnostic Mode:

• Unplug the CG.
• Push and hold both buttons on the control panel.
• Plug the unit back in, holding both buttons.
• Hold both buttons about six seconds - until you see the lights on the control panel finish the normal power up sequence that you always get when you plug it in AND it starts a new sequence of flashing and beeping. NOW you can let go of the buttons.
• If you did it right, the "4" will light up, go out and then the "1" will light up. All other lights will be off.
• Congratulations, you're ready to get your diagnostic on!

To Select a Test:

Press and release the Auto Setup ("AS" from now on) button. This will advance to the next test. Test numbers are designated by the 1 - 4 lights across the top. More than one light might be on at a time.

To Start/Stop a Test:

Press and release the Start Cycle/Pause ("SCP" henceforth) button. Pressing once will start a test. You have to press it again to stop the test or it'll run until it burns out the motor or floods the room and shorts out or until some sort of disaster occurs, so PAY ATTENTION!

To Exit Diagnostic Mode:

Simply unplug the unit and plug it back in without holding the buttons - or pick up the processor and reseat it on the unit.

About The Tests:

Tests are referred to by the lights that illuminate (1 thru 4) for each test. Press the AS button until the right lights are lit up.

Comments

[lensmith71]

Great pointers.... especially the best friend mode (4 plus 1). However, I waited 5 minutes to try for the "4" light to materialize with no joy. Try holding the two green buttons (with the CG unplugged) and then plug in the CG. After the lights cycle, release the buttons and you will get the "4" followed by the "1" light. You're good to go! These pointers were invaluable. Keep up the good work.

[LucyVanPelt]

 My unit has a serious problem, I think. For the first year, I didn't have a single problem. Now, However, it won't recognize that there is a full cartridge installed. It beeps incessantly and the cartridge light blinks. I can manually walk it through all of the steps - except the 3+4 (my would-be BFF). When I run the #4 test, it doesn't beep but I can't see that anything is being dispensed either. I read on your blog about a granule "hang it up", so I checked... all clean. I tried 3 brand NEW cartridges... unsuccessful.

At this point, I am manually running all of the cycles and adding solution from a cartridge that I withdraw with a syringe. Takes FOREVER but gets the job done.

Any ideas?

[mdhoare]

I had a similar problem: it would run through the cycle but not dispense any solution. However, it kept 'counting down' and I ended with a full cartridge it thought was empty (not to mention a clogged unit). Turned out there is supposed to be a needle at the bottom of the slot you put the cartridge in: it had broken off at some point. I called Cat Genie and they sent a new processor. Check the slot you put the cartridge in to make sure there is still a needle sticking up from the bottom.

[catknappster]

Please help. Have had Cat Genie for probably two years now and its on the fritz! It goes half way through its cycle and then stops and errors out with the 3 beeps. It is also draining cartridges! I just put a new one in last night and now its empty!!!! This really pisses me off since those things are worth their weight in gold. Any suggestions?

[mamalang]

 Did you figure out why it was draining cartridges and how to fix it?  Mine is doing this, too.  When mine does the 3 beeps, I clean the sensor and it runs fine.  I have to do this every few weeks or so.

[catknappster]

Luckily I was within 3 days out of my warranty running out when I called Catgenie. I told them about the drainage issue and they sent me a new processing unit and a new cartridge. Its like a brand new Genie now! Now if it does it again Ill be really screwed since its officially out of warranty. But I will try cleaning the sensors if it does it. By the way, where is the sensor?

[mamalang]

 I called Catgenie, too and they are sending me a new processing unit.  Thanks for your comment, as since I hacked my cartridges, I thought I had done something wrong.  Let's hope the new processor lasts longer...my warranty is up in May.

Check your manual on instructions on how to clean the sensor.  It's fairly easy, especially if you have the updated hopper.  If you don't, you can order it from Catgenie.

[lemonie]

Do you make these or are you just a distributor? L

[ScottSEA]

I checked out your profile, and you seem to be a well-respected member of the 'ible community. What brings you to my neck of the woods? Do you have a CatGenie? If you have any issues, I have a crapload more stuff on my blog - maddeningscientist.blogspot.com.

[Htaed]

i tried to check out your blog, but it says it's been removed.  What I would like ot know is....have you, or anyone you know of, figured out a way to reset the count on the CatGenie 120 Sani cartridges yet?

[ScottSEA]

Neither - did you see my post on hacking the cartridges? Not exactly a corporate instructable, is it? I am no way affiliated with CatGenie or PetNovations, other than I own two CatGenies and have six cats; my CGs run four times a day - each. Due to my higher than average usage, I deal with CatGenie problems more often than your average user, and am simply sharing my knowledge. Actually, in the past PetNovations has asked users to take this information down from forums on the assumption that it could cause damage to the units. Since they've stopped making (and basically stopped repairing) these units, I've posted the information to make it easier for people to keep them running.

[lemonie]

Hi, I was surprised at how much knowledge you have of the devices (or rather how many instructables), are these things in widespread use? I've not heard of 'em myself, but I guess they didn't sell worldwide. L

[ScottSEA]

I couldn't say about the sales - but I get a lot of people asking me for help. Not sure how many sold - but I've had to send mine back several times - so they're not anywhere near infallible.

[lemonie]

Apparently not. They do look sophisticated, but I suppose they have advantages of non-electronic devices. L

[xenomama]

Help!!! I have a clog and the "run water", "drain" and "clean up" modes don't work! Every other test works, and now I have a nasty mess. Suggestions? Please?

[monsoon60]

What? No clever picture of the water filling the bathroom, with fish  swimming around?!! :-)  Love you're stuff Scott.