CT scanners

Philips IQ: troubleshooting and error codes

The ServiceForge knowledge base holds 27 documented symptoms for the Philips IQ, with 39 ranked causes, 109 diagnostic checks with test points and expected values, and 35 error codes. Each symptom below shows its causes and the first check; the rest is one connection away. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Symptoms

Calibration: IQ CT scanner post-repair patient safety

Re-calibration matrix defining required and advised calibration procedures after specific repairs or component replacements on Philips IQ CT scanner

Ranked causes

1. X-ray tube change (occasional)
2. Detector module replacement or swapping location (occasional)
3. VFSCC individual or complete change (occasional)
4. Anode and/or cathode multiplier change (occasional)
5. Generator replaced (occasional)
6. Collimator removal and/or replacement (occasional)
7. Patient aperture ring (cone) change (occasional)
8. Motherboard change or temporary removal (occasional)
9. XSC assembly replacement without battery-backed RAM transfer (occasional)
10. Cathode module replacement (occasional)

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

Calibration: Position multiplier scale adjustment

Gantry vertical and tilt displays show multiplier output values. Vertical display shows 3 most significant digits, tilt display shows 3 least significant digits to obtain required 6-digit resolution.

Ranked causes

1. Position multiplier scale adjustment procedure (common)
2. Alternative: Measure multiplier input values (occasional)

First check

Record display word 7 at 0mm position

Test point: Gantry vertical and tilt displays
Expected: 6-digit value (vertical = 3 MSB, tilt = 3 LSB)

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

Calibration: Pre-calculated FLATSS verification

Verify pre-calculated FLATSS calibration files produce flat images within specification before deciding if manual FLATSS is needed

Ranked causes

1. Image not flat within ±3 CT numbers (half field) (common)
2. Image flat but not level (half or full field) (occasional)

First check

Scan 8 inch water phantom with Half Water protocol (half field)

Test point: Water phantom center
Expected: Well centered 8 inch phantom

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

Calibration: X-Ray Noise Tests radiation

Air scan noise measurement using Half Water protocol with specified settings and thresholds

Ranked causes

1. Noise measurement verification (common)
2. Preliminary calibration setup (common)

First check

Verify autovoice, compression, and ripple correction settings

Test point: System settings
Expected: autovoice OFF, compression OFF, ripple correction ON

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

Calibration: Air Calibration

Procedure to perform air calibration scans at various field sizes, filters, and thickness settings

Ranked causes

1. Air calibration data required for multiple scan configurations (unknown)

First check

Perform air scan for Half field, filter 0, thickness 2

Test point: Air Cal protocol XTRA S/W ONLY
Expected: Air calibration data captured

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

Calibration: Couch vertical and tilt position alignment

Program displays resolver/potentiometer alignment values at gantry during couch calibration. Display word 4 (potentiometer output) shown on tilt display, display word 5 (RDC output) shown on vertical display.

Ranked causes

1. Resolver/potentiometer alignment procedure (common)

First check

Display potentiometer value at gantry tilt display

Test point: Display word 4
Expected: 8-bit ADC output from couch horizontal position potentiometer

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

Calibration: Fine Resolver Adjustment

Procedure to adjust Coarse Resolver for zero transition point after setting Fine Resolver to zero

Ranked causes

1. Fine Resolver transition to zero requires Coarse Resolver adjustment (unknown)

First check

Verify Coarse Resolver set to zero at transition point

Test point: Resolver output at Fine Resolver zero transition
Expected: ZERO

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

Calibration: Fine Resolver Zero adjustment

Fine Resolver must be set to zero and Coarse Resolver (27-37=MSB & 27-45=LSB) adjusted to match the transition point

Ranked causes

1. Resolver calibration required (common)

First check

Set Fine Resolver to zero

Test point: Fine Resolver
Expected: Zero transition point

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

Calibration: FLATSS verification (full field)

Check pre-calculated FLATSS calibration files using 12 inch water phantom with Full Water protocol. Image must be flat to within ±3 CT numbers.

Ranked causes

1. Pre-calculated FLATSS files need verification (unknown)

First check

Scan full field water phantom

Test point: 12 inch water phantom, centered
Expected: Image flat to within ±3 CT numbers

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

Calibration: FLATSS verification (half field)

Check pre-calculated FLATSS calibration files using 8 inch water phantom with Half Water protocol. Image must be flat to within ±3 CT numbers.

Ranked causes

1. Pre-calculated FLATSS files need verification (unknown)

First check

Scan half field water phantom

Test point: 8 inch water phantom, centered
Expected: Image flat to within ±3 CT numbers

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

Calibration: FLATSS verification (pre-calculated)

Check pre-calculated FLATSS calibration files to determine if manual FLATSS calibration is needed. Scan phantom using appropriate protocol and verify image flatness within ±3 CT numbers.

Ranked causes

1. Pre-calculated FLATSS files need verification (unknown)

First check

Scan half-field water phantom

Test point: Image
Expected: Flat to within ±3 CT numbers

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

Calibration: Full Field FLAT

Procedure to calibrate full field flat panel detector response using FLAT CAL protocol, 480mm image size, air scans, and water phantom imaging

Ranked causes

1. Detector flatness correction required for full field imaging (unknown)

First check

Select FLAT CAL protocol

Test point: Protocol menu
Expected: FLAT CAL protocol active

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

Calibration: Full Field FLATSS

Multi-step calibration procedure for full field flat panel detector correction using water phantom scans and software configuration.

Ranked causes

1. Detector flat field correction required for full field imaging (unknown)

First check

Select FLAT CAL protocol

Test point: System menu
Expected: Protocol selected

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

Calibration: Half Field FLAT

Procedure to calibrate half field flat panel detector response using FLAT CAL protocol, air scans, and water phantom imaging

Ranked causes

1. Detector flatness correction required for half field imaging (unknown)

First check

Select FLAT CAL protocol

Test point: Protocol menu
Expected: FLAT CAL protocol active

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

Calibration: Half Field water phantom (HF)

Calibration procedure for half field flat panel detector correction using water phantom and software configuration.

Ranked causes

1. Detector flat field correction required for half field imaging (unknown)

First check

Select FLAT CAL protocol

Test point: System menu
Expected: Protocol selected

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

Calibration: Image leveling

Correct image level when phantom is centered and flat but not level. Use Regulus level program to calculate and store new leveling constant.

Ranked causes

1. Image needs leveling adjustment (unknown)

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

Calibration: IQ image centering

Prepare tube heat and phantom positioning for IQ image calibration procedures

Ranked causes

1. Tube heat below 50% threshold (common)

First check

Verify tube heat level is above 50%

Test point: IQ system tube heat monitor
Expected: Above 50%

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

Calibration: Laser Alignment

Verify laser beam alignment with phantom image on paper clip marker to ensure correct slice positioning.

Ranked causes

1. Laser misalignment with image plane (unknown)

First check

Prepare phantom with paper clip marker

Test point: Top of 6.25" water phantom
Expected: One inch paper clip piece taped in place

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

Calibration: Lateral centering

Using Center Cal protocol to scan and verify tube lateral centering position; error displayed by latcent program indicates tube offset

Ranked causes

1. Lateral centering error exceeds 0.005 (unknown)

First check

Scan centering rod using Center Cal protocol

Test point: DETF data
Expected: Lateral centering error value displayed by latcent program

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

Calibration: mA curve

Service Opcom feature to calibrate tube current offsets via hidden ELTP touch area above System Shutdown box

Ranked causes

1. Couch at limit prevents calibration (common)

First check

Access mA calibration menu

Test point: Hidden area above System Shutdown box on ELTP
Expected: Service Opcom Auto Cals menu visible

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

Calibration: Manual FLATSS

Perform manual FLATSS calibration when pre-calculated files cannot produce images within specification; requires properly centered phantom and three sequential CAIR scans

Ranked causes

1. Phantom not properly centered in field (common)

First check

Center phantom using grid or ck_phtm program

Test point: Phantom position in field
Expected: Phantom well centered in scan field

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

Calibration: Scale adjust calculation (DW6 multiplier input mode)

System calculates scale adjust factor using multiplier input readings at two positions. Displays scale adjust value and switch position at monitor; gantry displays show DW6 values continuously.

Ranked causes

1. Scale adjustment calculation using DW6 (multiplier input) (common)

First check

Verify scale adjust switches match calculated value

Test point: System monitor display
Expected: Scale adjust value matches hardware switch settings

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

Calibration: Scale adjust calculation (DW7 multiplier output mode)

Alternative scale adjustment mode using multiplier output (DW7) readings. Calculates difference between readings at two positions.

Ranked causes

1. Scale adjustment calculation using DW7 (multiplier output) (occasional)

First check

Record DW7 at first position

Test point: Display word 7
Expected: 15-bit multiplier output value

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

Calibration: speakerphone PCB high voltage

Procedure to remove, replace and calibrate speakerphone PCB assembly in console

Ranked causes

1. Speakerphone PCB requires replacement or calibration (unknown)

First check

Remove console power and covers

Test point: Console power switch, monitor, console top cover
Expected: Power off, covers removed

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

Speaker phone not operating

Speakerphone assembly malfunction in CT scanner console affecting communication

Ranked causes

1. Speakerphone PCB failure or miscalibration (common)

First check

Test intercom communication with remote telephone station

Test point: Speakerphone handset and remote line
Expected: Clear two-way audio without distortion or feedback

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

X-ray sequence diagnostic test execution radiation

SX diagnostic verifies X-ray sequence procedure steps from rotor startup to filament shutdown. Approximately 1 minute runtime. WARNING: X-rays are generated during execution.

Ranked causes

1. Diagnostic setup and parameter configuration (common)

First check

Confirm rotor speed selection available

Test point: Diagnostic menu rotor speed option
Expected: Rotor speed 60 for IQ or 180 for PQ selectable

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

X-ray sequence diagnostic verification complete radiation

All steps of X-ray sequence from rotor startup through filament shutdown successfully verified during diagnostic execution.

Ranked causes

1. Successful completion of X-ray sequence steps (unknown)

First check

Monitor X-ray sequence from rotor engagement to filament shutdown

Test point: System display output during diagnostic execution
Expected: Sequence completes within 1 minute without error messages

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

Error codes

Code	Meaning	Trigger	Severity
`ANB_ERROR`	ACK-NAK_BREAK error in serial communications	Error in communications between SIF and GPU, or SIF and XSC	error
`ANB_ERROR`	ANB error		unknown
`ANB_ERROR (512)`	Communication error between SIF and GPU or SIF and XSC	Checksum, parity, or communication protocol failure detected	error
`BAD_FUNCTION_PARAMETER_ERROR`	Bad Function Parameter Error	SIF command parameter does not match response from GPU or XSC	warning
`BAD_FUNCTION_PARAMETER_ERROR (513)`	Function parameter mismatch in command response	Response parameters do not match command parameters sent from SIF to GPU or XSC	error
`BAD_FUNCTION_RETURNED_ERROR`	Bad Function Returned Error	SIF receives response with incorrect function code	warning
`BAD_SCAN_STATE_ERROR`	Bad scan state error		error
`BAD_SIF_COMMAND_ERROR`	Bad SIF command error		error
`BAD_SIF_STATE_ERROR`	Bad SIF state error		error
`BP_NOT_TESTED`	Backprojector not tested in current startup mode	Diagnostic run during Scanner Startup mode	warning
`COMMAND_SHELL_ERROR`	Command shell error		error
`CRX_GENERATOR_ERROR`	CRX generator error		error
`DATA_ACQUISITION_ERROR`	Data acquisition error		error
`DATA_ACQUISITION_NOT_COMPLETED`	Data acquisition not completed		warning
`DOOR_OPEN`	Door open		warning
`DUAL_MOTION_ERROR`	Dual motion error		error
`DW6 denominator = 0`	Scale adjust calculation error: DW6 readings at two positions are identical	DW6(2) – DW6(1) equals zero during scale adjustment calculation	error
`ERR_ALGORITHM`	Algorithm error		error
`ERR_ALGORITHM_REDEF`	Algorithm redefine error		error
`ERR_ALGTABLE`	Algorithm table error		error
`ERR_ASYNCH_MESSAGE`	Asynchronous message error		error
`ERR_AVERAGE_REDEF`	Average redefine error		error
`ERR_BACO_REDEF`	BACO redefine error		error
`ERR_BADARG`	Bad argument error		error
`ERR_BAD_COMMENT`	Bad comment error		error
`ERR_BAD_DIRECTIVE`	Bad directive error		error
`ERR_BAD_ERROR_CODE`	Bad error code		error
`ERR_BAD_FUNCTION`	Bad function error		error
`ERR_BEAMLIM`	Beam limit error		error
`ERR_BEAMLIMIT_REDEF`	Beam limit redefine error		error
`ERR_BEAMLIM_REDEF`	Beam limit redefine error		error
`ERR_CALIBRATION`	Calibration error		error
`ERR_COLL`	Collimation error		error
`readerr 519`	Data Acquisition Not Completed Error	GPU or MPM fails to complete data acquisition properly	error
`Scale adjust mismatch`	Calculated scale adjust value does not match hardware switch settings	Scale adjust switches do not match actual computed value during calibration loop	warning

Likely causes and actions for each code 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.