Electrocardiographs

Welch Allyn ELI 380: troubleshooting and error codes

The ServiceForge knowledge base holds 25 documented symptoms for the Welch Allyn ELI 380, with 46 ranked causes, 40 diagnostic checks with test points and expected values, and 11 error codes. Each symptom below shows its causes and the first check; the rest is one connection away. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Symptoms

Excess artifact on ECG tracing patient safety

ECG waveform contains excessive electrical noise or signal corruption

Ranked causes

1. Incorrect electrode type (common)
2. Corroded or contaminated banana plug or clip contacts (common)
3. Cracked or damaged lead wire insulation (occasional)
4. Loose lead wire connection at AM12/AM15E/WAM module (occasional)
5. Patient cable defect (rare)

First check

Verify electrode type and application

Test point: electrodes on patient
Expected: Baxter-brand electrodes applied correctly

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

No tracings, screen displays Searching for WAM continuously

WAM wireless module not communicating with instrument; Searching message persists

Ranked causes

1. WAM out of communication range (common)
2. WAM battery depleted or damaged (common)
3. Damaged WAM battery cap (occasional)
4. Wrong WAM model for instrument (occasional)
5. WAM not paired to instrument (occasional)

First check

Verify communication range

Test point: WAM and instrument distance
Expected: within specified range

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

Paper does not advance or advances incorrectly caution

Paper fails to advance, advances less than one inch, advances more than one page, or stops unexpectedly during print operation

Ranked causes

1. Incorrect paper type or old/stale paper (common)
2. Pages sticking together from compression or humidity damage (common)
3. Paper loaded incorrectly or cueing mark misaligned (occasional)
4. Cardboard separator sheets left under paper (occasional)
5. Paper advance mechanism jam or motor failure (rare)

First check

Verify correct paper type and condition

Test point: Paper specification and condition
Expected: Paper part number 9100-026-52 or 9100-026-55; no old or damaged sheets; paper stored in humidity-controlled area

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

High frequency noise on ECG signal

Electrical noise at high frequencies appearing on all leads of the ECG trace; interference from external sources or patient muscle tension.

Ranked causes

1. Improper low pass filter setting or AC filter setting (common)
2. Portable electronic devices in patient vicinity (occasional)
3. Patient has implanted muscle stimulator (rare)
4. Patient muscles tense or not relaxed (common)

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

Paper does not advance, grinding noise caution

Paper tray motor grinds without advancing paper through printer

Ranked causes

1. Incorrect paper type loaded (common)
2. Cardboard at bottom of paper stack (occasional)
3. Broken plastic in paper tray (occasional)
4. Gearbox misalignment or drive gear damage (rare)

First check

Verify paper type

Test point: paper loaded in tray
Expected: Baxter brand paper

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

Calibration: Cue sensor

Cue sensor calibration required when cue sensor, writer assembly, or motherboard changed; or when 'Paper Queue Fault' message appears

Ranked causes

1. Cue sensor misalignment after component replacement (common)
2. Paper Queue Fault indication (occasional)

First check

Verify cue mark on paper is offset from cue sensor on printer

Test point: Paper tray, perforation line
Expected: Paper not stopped at perforation line

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

Paper comes out crooked or has lines missing

Printed ECG output misaligned or with missing print lines

Ranked causes

1. Incorrect paper type (common)
2. Dirty print head (common)

First check

Verify paper type

Test point: paper loaded in tray
Expected: Baxter brand paper

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

Screen is dark

Display shows no image; WLAN module not responding

Ranked causes

1. AC power cord not connected or damaged (common)
2. AC power supply failure (occasional)

First check

Visually inspect AC power cord for damage

Test point: AC power cord
Expected: No visible damage

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

Device is not responding

Unit unresponsive to input; does not process commands or button presses

Ranked causes

1. System frozen or stuck in error state (occasional)

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

Electrocardiograph is in Standby Mode

Device powered but not active

Ranked causes

1. Standby mode activated (common)

First check

Press On/Standby button

Test point: On/Standby button
Expected: Device returns to active use

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

Electrocardiograph will not power on

Device does not respond to power button

Ranked causes

1. Power supply fault or reset needed (common)

First check

Disconnect AC power and hold power button

Test point: Power button
Expected: Button held for >30 seconds

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

Lead fault; no ECG capture patient safety

Electrical lead connection failure; ECG waveform cannot be acquired

Ranked causes

1. Lead failure or improper configuration (common)

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

Leads OFF message for one or more leads; square waves on display patient safety

Individual lead electrodes not sensing; displayed waveforms show square waves instead of ECG

Ranked causes

1. Lead electrode connection not secure or faulty electrode (common)

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

LEADS OFF or SEARCHING FOR WAM message patient safety

No signal from WAM, AM12 or AM15E module; unable to acquire ECG data

Ranked causes

1. WAM, AM12 or AM15E module not configured or not powered (common)

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

No tracings on screen or gaps in tracing, Leads Off shown patient safety

ECG waveform absent or intermittently missing with Leads Off message displayed

Ranked causes

1. Cable between AM12/AM15E and ELI 380 has broken wire (occasional)

First check

Test cable continuity by flexing and observing display

Test point: interconnect cable from module to instrument
Expected: tracing present continuously

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

Paper advance mechanism calibration out of spec caution

Paper advances incorrectly despite correct paper type and loading; advance distance not within expected range

Ranked causes

1. Paper advance cue sensor requires calibration adjustment (occasional)

First check

Perform cue calibration procedure

Test point: Paper advance sensor and calibration routine
Expected: Paper advances smoothly to end of page and stops correctly after calibration

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

Paper Queue Fault message displayed

Error message appears on screen indicating cue sensor calibration needed

Ranked causes

1. Cue sensor out of calibration (common)

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

Poor LA electrode or left arm tremor affecting Lead I and Lead III patient safety

Weak electrode contact on left arm or patient muscle tremor causing noise in leads I and III

Ranked causes

1. Poor LA electrode contact or patient arm tremor (common)

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

Poor LL electrode or left leg tremor affecting Lead II and Lead III patient safety

Weak electrode contact on left leg or patient muscle tremor causing noise in leads II and III

Ranked causes

1. Poor LL electrode contact or patient leg tremor (common)

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

Poor RA electrode or right arm tremor affecting Lead I and Lead II patient safety

Weak electrode contact on right arm or patient muscle tremor causing noise in leads I and II

Ranked causes

1. Poor RA electrode contact or patient arm tremor (common)

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

Screen does not turn on when lid is lifted

Display remains off after opening lid

Ranked causes

1. Display power or lid sensor issue (common)

First check

Press power button once

Test point: Power button
Expected: Baxter logo appears within 10 seconds

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

Screen shows Searching for WAM

Display indicates wireless acquisition module (WAM) not detected or out of range

Ranked causes

1. AM12/AM15E module selected instead of WAM in settings (common)

First check

Verify WAM/AM-XX setting

Test point: settings menu gears icon
Expected: WAM mode selected

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

Sweep square not advancing on screen patient safety

ECG time-base square does not move horizontally across display but time counter advances

Ranked causes

1. AM12/AM15E module plugged into wrong socket (common)

First check

Verify AM12/AM15E module socket location

Test point: module socket label
Expected: socket marked ECG

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

Unable to acquire ECG or unable to print

Device cannot capture ECG waveform or produce printed output; battery indicator shows LOW

Ranked causes

1. Battery low (common)

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

WAM battery low

Display shows low battery warning for wireless acquisition module

Ranked causes

1. WAM battery depleted (common)

First check

Replace WAM battery

Test point: WAM battery
Expected: fresh AA battery installed

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

Error codes

Code	Meaning	Trigger	Severity
`BATTERY LOW – CHARGE UNIT`	Battery charge level critically low; device cannot operate on battery power	Battery voltage drops below minimum operating threshold	warning
`CAN'T CONNECT TO ACCESS POINT`	Unit unable to establish link to wireless access point	WLAN connection attempt failed after multiple retries	warning
`DHCP FAILURE`	WLAN module failed to obtain IP address from DHCP server	WLAN initialization attempted but DHCP address assignment failed	error
`DPAC FAILURE`	WLAN module failed to initialize	WLAN initialization failure during system startup or network reconnection	critical
`ERROR-DICOM Not Enabled`	DICOM communication attempted but unit not configured for DICOM protocol	DICOM transmission request received while DICOM configuration disabled	error
`LEAD FAULT, NO ECG CAPTURE`	Electrical connection failure on one or more ECG leads; ECG acquisition impossible	Lead impedance exceeds threshold; electrode not in contact; lead wire disconnected or damaged	error
`Paper Queue Fault`	Paper advance system error or paper jam detected	Paper advance mechanism detects inability to advance paper or mechanical jam condition	warning
`Paper Queue Fault`	Cue sensor unable to detect paper queue correctly	Cue sensor misalignment or cue sensor, writer assembly, or motherboard component change	warning
`Paper Queue Fault`	Cue sensor is out of calibration or not functioning properly	Cue sensor offset from proper position or sensor malfunction	warning
`TRANSMIT FAILED`	Unable to transmit ECG data to receiving system	ECG transmission attempt failed due to network or configuration error	error
`UNABLE TO SAVE ECG`	ECG data cannot be stored due to excessive noise or full storage directory	Noise level too high for reliable ECG storage or directory storage capacity exceeded	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.