Hospital beds · Century family

Hill-Rom Century: troubleshooting and error codes

The ServiceForge knowledge base holds 43 documented symptoms for the Hill-Rom Century, with 129 ranked causes, 197 diagnostic checks with test points and expected values, and 0 error codes. Each symptom below shows its causes and the first check; the rest is one connection away. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Symptoms

Head up function does not work high voltage

Head up function is inoperative when activated from left or right siderail controls

Ranked causes

1. Missing or low voltage at head motor control pin (common)
2. Head motor not receiving power (common)
3. Defective head motor (occasional)
4. Transformer primary or secondary voltage failure (occasional)
5. Transformer circuit breaker tripped (occasional)
6. Secondary fuse blown in transformer box (occasional)
7. Primary fuse blown in transformer box (occasional)
8. Low voltage from control board to head motor (occasional)
9. Faulty cable from control board to head motor (occasional)
10. Defective control board (occasional)
11. Open circuit in siderail cable at test port (occasional)
12. Defective test port P200 (rare)
13. Open circuit in siderail cable from test port to siderail (occasional)
14. Head up button switch open or defective (occasional)
15. Defective head up button switch (occasional)

First check

Verify control signal voltage at P200

Test point: P200 connector, pin 9 (head up) to pin 21 (VSS)
Expected: 12V DC (+3V), +3V
Tools: VOM set to DC volts

12 more checks with pass and fail actions, 16 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Knee up function does not work high voltage

Knee up function fails to operate when activated from left or right siderail; bed does not raise knee section.

Ranked causes

1. No voltage at P200 knee up control pin (pin 7) (common)
2. No voltage delivered to knee motor after control signal (common)
3. Knee motor defective or damaged (occasional)
4. Transformer output voltage not present (circuit breaker tripped) (occasional)
5. 12V transformer secondary fuse blown (outlet side) (occasional)
6. Primary transformer fuse blown (inlet power side) (occasional)
7. No voltage at motor control connector (P3) (occasional)
8. Control board to motor cable broken or disconnected (occasional)
9. Control board defective (occasional)
10. Siderail switch not making contact (open circuit) (occasional)
11. Test port connector defective (rare)
12. Cable between test port and siderail broken or disconnected (occasional)
13. Siderail knee up switch defective (open) (occasional)
14. Siderail knee up switch not closing when pressed (occasional)

First check

Verify knee up function failure mode

Test point: Either left or right siderail knee up button
Expected: Function should activate when button is pressed

13 more checks with pass and fail actions, 14 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed up function does not work high voltage

Bed does not move upward when bed up button activated from left or right siderail; bed down function may work normally

Ranked causes

1. Hilow drive at mechanical limit of movement (common)
2. Hilow limit switch defective or not clicking (common)
3. No 12V DC power to bed up function at P200 pin 11 (common)
4. Hilow motor not receiving 24V DC (common)
5. No 32V AC at transformer primary (P1 pin 3) (occasional)
6. No 12V AC at transformer secondary (P1 pin 2) (occasional)
7. Open fuse at transformer inlet (primary side) (occasional)
8. Hilow motor power cable voltage wrong or disconnected (occasional)
9. Control board output defective (occasional)
10. Bed up siderail cable open or disconnected at test port (occasional)
11. Bed up siderail switch defective (open at rest) (occasional)
12. Bed up siderail switch defective (high resistance when pressed) (rare)

First check

Attempt bed down button operation

Test point: Bed control
Expected: Bed moves downward

15 more checks with pass and fail actions, 12 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed down function does not work high voltage

Bed does not move downward when bed down button activated from left or right siderail; may be limit switch, motor, control circuit, or wiring issue

Ranked causes

1. Hilow limit switch malfunction or not clicking (common)
2. Insufficient voltage to hilow motor control signal (common)
3. Hilow motor defective (occasional)
4. Power supply 12V rail not present (transformer secondary fault) (occasional)
5. Fuse blown on secondary (common) side of transformer (occasional)
6. Fuse blown on primary (inlet) side of transformer (occasional)
7. Insufficient voltage to hilow motor from power supply (occasional)
8. Control board defective (occasional)
9. Test port P200 connector fault or siderail cable open (rare)
10. Siderail cable between test port and control open (rare)
11. Siderail bed down switch open or stuck open (rare)

First check

Listen for hilow limit switch clicking when rod moved manually

Test point: Hilow rod grasped and moved back-and-forth 3 inches
Expected: Hilow limit switch clicking on and off
Tools: Manual grasp

13 more checks with pass and fail actions, 12 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Knee down function does not work patient safety

Knee down motion does not activate when switch on left or right siderail is pressed

Ranked causes

1. No 12V DC supply to knee down function at P200 (common)
2. Knee motor power cable disconnected or defective (occasional)
3. Knee motor failure (occasional)
4. 32V AC supply voltage absent at transformer primary P1 (occasional)
5. 12V AC supply voltage absent at transformer secondary P1 (occasional)
6. Primary inlet power fuse blown (occasional)
7. No 12V DC at motor control connector P3 (occasional)
8. Control board malfunction (rare)
9. Test port cable open circuit (occasional)
10. Knee down switch contact open in cable P17 or P18 (occasional)
11. Knee down switch contact open or high resistance in siderail (occasional)

First check

Is knee down function inoperative from both left and right siderails

Test point: Both siderail switches
Expected: Function fails to activate from either siderail

16 more checks with pass and fail actions, 11 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Head down function does not work high voltage

Head down function is inoperative when activated from either left or right siderail; bed does not lower from head end.

Ranked causes

1. Head motor failure (common)
2. No voltage at head motor control (common)
3. Motor power cable failure (occasional)
4. Power supply failure (32V AC rail) (occasional)
5. Power supply failure (12V AC rail) (occasional)
6. Primary power fuse failure (occasional)
7. Control board failure (rare)
8. Test port failure (rare)
9. Test port cable open (occasional)
10. Siderail switch failure (occasional)

First check

Measure voltage at P200(A) control signal

Test point: P200(A) pin 21 (VSS) to pin 8 (head down)
Expected: 12V DC (+3V), +/-3V
Tools: VOM set to DC volts

10 more checks with pass and fail actions, 10 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

None of the bed functions work high voltage

No response to any bed control inputs; bed does not respond to head, knee, hilow, or other function commands

Ranked causes

1. Lockouts in locked position (common)
2. Bed not plugged in to power source (common)
3. Fuses open or blown in transformer box (common)
4. Circuit breaker tripped in transformer box (common)
5. Logic power supply voltage out of range (occasional)
6. Motor power supply voltage out of range (occasional)
7. Supervisor relay not functioning on control board (occasional)
8. Motor failure (rare)

First check

Ensure lockouts are in unlocked position

Test point: Lockout switches on bed
Expected: Lockouts in unlocked position

7 more checks with pass and fail actions, 9 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg function does not work patient safety

Bed lowers completely but does not go into Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg when activated

Ranked causes

1. Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg rods are bent (common)
2. Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg linkages disconnected or broken (common)
3. Plated bracket wedged between torque tubes (occasional)
4. Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg switches binding (occasional)

First check

Visually inspect Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg rods

Test point: Rods
Expected: Rods are straight

5 more checks with pass and fail actions, 4 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed does not operate patient safety

Operator reports bed functions not responding to controls or demonstrating problems during operation

Ranked causes

1. Bed not plugged into power source (common)
2. Function lockouts are enabled (occasional)
3. Bed functions at movement limit (occasional)

First check

Verify bed power connection

Test point: Power outlet and bed plug
Expected: Bed plugged into appropriate power source

3 more checks with pass and fail actions, 3 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Siderail is hard to rotate up or down caution

Siderail requires excessive force to rotate to up or down position

Ranked causes

1. Siderail strap bent causing slide rods misalignment (common)
2. Pivot points on strap dry or contaminated (common)
3. Siderail mechanism requires greasing (common)

First check

Examine siderail strap for bending

Test point: Siderail strap (B) and slide rods (C)
Expected: Slide rods parallel to each other

3 more checks with pass and fail actions, 3 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Head up function failure with left siderail control high voltage

Head up function non-responsive when activated from left siderail only or when activated from right siderail

Ranked causes

1. Open or high-resistance connection in left siderail cable (common)
2. Defective head up button switch in left siderail (common)

First check

Check siderail cable resistance to test port

Test point: Cable P17 or P18, test for continuity and resistance
Expected: Open circuit (near infinite resistance)
Tools: VOM set to ohms

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Knee section does not lower high voltage

Knee section will not lower when head down switch is activated; knee up function works normally when knee down switch is activated.

Ranked causes

1. Automatic contour switch failure (common)
2. Control board failure (occasional)

First check

Verify knee up function by activating knee down switch

Test point: Knee actuator
Expected: Knee up function works normally

3 more checks with pass and fail actions, 2 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Knee section does not raise high voltage

Knee section will not raise when the head up switch is activated on beds with automatic contour

Ranked causes

1. Automatic contour switch failure (common)
2. Control board failure (occasional)

First check

Verify knee up function by activating knee up switch

Test point: Knee up switch
Expected: Knee up function works normally

3 more checks with pass and fail actions, 2 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Knee up function does not work from one siderail only high voltage

One siderail control (left or right) fails; the other operates normally.

Ranked causes

1. Siderail-specific cable open circuit (common)
2. Siderail switch inoperative or not closing (common)

First check

Test specific siderail cable for open circuit

Test point: P17 or P18 cable (select which siderail is failing), pins 7 and 5
Expected: Open circuit (infinite ohms) when cable disconnected and switch not pressed
Tools: VOM set to ohms; bed unplugged, battery disconnected

1 more check with pass and fail actions, 2 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Pendant control assembly removal and replacement high voltage

Procedure to remove and replace the pendant control assembly including the control cable, pendant holder, and related connections on the Century+ bed.

Ranked causes

1. Pendant control assembly requires service or replacement (unknown)
2. Pendant control assembly installed and tested (unknown)

First check

Raise bed to high position using hilow function

Test point: Bed height control
Expected: Bed at high position

15 more checks with pass and fail actions, 2 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Battery Backup Box replacement and installation high voltage

Procedure to remove and install the battery backup box, including routing power cords and securing components to the bed frame.

Ranked causes

1. Battery backup box removal and reinstallation required (unknown)

First check

Raise bed to full up position using bed up button

Test point: Sleep surface
Expected: Bed at maximum height

20 more checks with pass and fail actions, 2 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Battery backup cells replacement high voltage

Battery backup cells (D) in the battery box require removal and replacement to maintain backup power functionality.

Ranked causes

1. Battery cells degradation or failure (unknown)

19 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed does not enter Reverse Trendelenburg position patient safety

Bed fails to move to Reverse Trendelenburg position when control lever and bed up switch activated from high position

Ranked causes

1. Reverse Trendelenburg function malfunction (unknown)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed does not enter Trendelenburg position patient safety

Bed fails to move to Trendelenburg position when control lever and bed down switch activated from high position

Ranked causes

1. Trendelenburg function malfunction (unknown)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed does not lower when bed down switch activated patient safety

Bed fails to lower when bed down switch is pressed with hilow function activated

Ranked causes

1. Hilow function malfunction or motor failure (unknown)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed does not raise with hilow function patient safety

Bed fails to raise when bed up switch is activated on hilow function

Ranked causes

1. Hilow raise function malfunction (unknown)

First check

Activate bed up switch for hilow function

Test point: Bed up control switch
Expected: Bed raises

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed height does not adjust patient safety

Hilow function inoperable; requires manual crank operation via IV rod

Ranked causes

1. Hilow motor failure or disconnection (unknown)

First check

Verify bed is unplugged from power source

Test point: Power outlet
Expected: Bed unplugged

2 more checks with pass and fail actions, 1 corrective action, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Bed lowers 3 to 4 inches and stops when Trendelenburg activated patient safety

When Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg function is activated, bed only lowers 3-4 inches then stops

Ranked causes

1. Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg switches binding (occasional)

First check

Activate Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg and observe if both functions activate simultaneously

Test point: Function activation
Expected: Only activated function engages

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Calibration: Brake Cam Assembly patient safety

Removal, replacement, and adjustment of brake cam assembly on beds with central brake and steer mechanism. Involves removing plastic covers, relieving cable tension, lowering bed, disconnecting power and battery, laying bed on side, removing roll pin, and installing cams.

Ranked causes

1. Brake cam assembly requires service (removal/replacement) (unknown)

15 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Calibration: Head up function high voltage

Verification and adjustment procedure for head up motor and control circuit operation

Ranked causes

1. Normal post-repair verification (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Calibration: Hilow limit switch high voltage

Calibration procedure for hilow limit switch assembly

Ranked causes

1. No adjustment required (common)

Calibration: Pendant control assembly

Adjustment procedure for pendant control assembly after installation.

Ranked causes

1. No calibration or adjustment required (common)

Calibration: Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg indicators patient safety

Indicator knobs for Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg require adjustment to ensure proper readings for inches and degrees

Ranked causes

1. Indicator knobs out of calibration (common)

First check

Raise bed to high position

Test point: hilow function
Expected: bed at high position

4 more checks with pass and fail actions, 1 corrective action, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Calibration: Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg Assembly patient safety

Replacement and functional verification of Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg assembly on Century+ bed

Ranked causes

1. Assembly replacement or maintenance required (unknown)

First check

Mechanical linkage engagement

Test point: Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg mechanism
Expected: Linkage engaging properly

1 more check with pass and fail actions, 12 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Casters slip after adjustment patient safety

Brakes slip or casters do not hold position properly after adjustment procedure completed

Ranked causes

1. Floor wax buildup on tire tread (occasional)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Head and knee sections do not lower with head down switch patient safety

Head section and knee section fail to lower when head down switch is pressed with knee lockout on

Ranked causes

1. Head down function or automatic contour malfunction (unknown)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Head and knee sections do not raise with head up switch patient safety

Head section and knee section fail to raise when head up switch is pressed with knee lockout on

Ranked causes

1. Head up function or automatic contour malfunction (unknown)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Head section does not lower patient safety

Head section fails to lower when head down switch is activated

Ranked causes

1. Head down function malfunction (unknown)

First check

Activate head down switch

Test point: Head down control switch
Expected: Head section lowers

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Head section does not raise patient safety

Head section fails to raise when head up switch is activated

Ranked causes

1. Head up function malfunction (unknown)

First check

Activate head up switch

Test point: Head up control switch
Expected: Head section raises

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Head section does not raise or lower patient safety

Head section manually inoperable; requires manual crank operation via IV rod

Ranked causes

1. Motor failure or disconnection (unknown)

First check

Verify bed is unplugged from power source

Test point: Power outlet
Expected: Bed unplugged

2 more checks with pass and fail actions, 1 corrective action, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Hilow limit switch replacement and verification high voltage

Switch malfunction requiring removal and replacement of the hilow limit switch assembly in the control box

Ranked causes

1. Hilow limit switch failure or malfunction (unknown)

First check

Verify hilow function operation

Test point: Bed hilow control
Expected: Bed raises and lowers smoothly without binding or stopping prematurely

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Hilow motor installation high voltage

Procedure to install the hilow motor on Century bed including engagement with drive shaft and securing with fasteners.

Ranked causes

1. Motor requires installation (unknown)

7 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Hilow motor removal and replacement high voltage

Procedure to remove and replace the hilow motor on Century bed, including safety precautions for powered mechanisms and electrical hazards.

Ranked causes

1. Motor requires removal or replacement (unknown)

11 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Knee section does not raise or lower patient safety

Knee function inoperable; requires manual crank operation via IV rod

Ranked causes

1. Knee motor failure or disconnection (unknown)

First check

Verify bed is unplugged from power source

Test point: Power outlet
Expected: Bed unplugged

2 more checks with pass and fail actions, 1 corrective action, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Lockouts hanging up on bezel

Lockout and switch mechanisms may not move freely due to improper bezel adjustment

Ranked causes

1. Lockouts or switches not properly adjusted relative to bezel (occasional)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Motor overheating or stalling caution

Motor stops running due to thermal overload condition; automatic thermal reset required

Ranked causes

1. Motor thermal overload (common)

First check

Verify motor is not running and is warm to touch

Test point: Motor housing
Expected: Motor stopped with heat present

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Siderail removal and replacement high voltage

Removal, replacement, and functional testing of siderails on Century+ bed

Ranked causes

1. Routine maintenance or repair (common)

First check

Raise bed to high position

Test point: Hilow function control
Expected: Bed reaches full high position

17 more checks with pass and fail actions, 2 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Siderail switch not functioning patient safety

Nurse call, lighting, or bed control switch on siderail does not operate when activated

Ranked causes

1. Defective switch requiring replacement (common)

First check

Verify new switch matches old switch before installation

Test point: Switch housing (G)
Expected: New and old switches are identical

1 more check with pass and fail actions, 1 corrective action, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Community

0 fixes logged by technicians through their AI, with outcomes, for this model.

ServiceForge knowledge base record. Field-unverified unless technicians confirmed it. A teaching summary of the record, not a service manual. Export 2026-10-14.