Hi,

We experience the same problem with a "6es7954-8lc04-0aa0" 4MB memory card.

This memory card is the succesor of the "6es7954-8lc03-0aa0" 4MB memory card.

The old version of the card is working perfect. When inserting a new card (before power up), the orange LED starts flashing when the CPU is powered. We have tried several new cards en PLC's (CPU215, CPU214), but the all react the same (flash orange LED). With the old version of the card, we have no problems (luckly we have some on spare).

Does anyone has an idea what could be the cause and solution for this issue?

Thanks in advance

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Split from Simatic Memory card.

Hi,

Thanks for your reaction

Yes we tried several things to solve this issue:

• Read the manual (good starting-point)
• Memory Card is assigned as Program card (not as transfer)
• We use the Memory Card to save log files (CSV)
• We also tried to format the MC (Via TIA-Portal and Windows)
• We also made a ghost (image) of a working 6es7954-8lc03-0aa0 card and install in on a 6es7954-8lc04-0aa0

The Memory Card is functional, since the log files could be read and write to it (even when the diagnostic buffer shows "Card reader/writer warning:"). but the Orange Maintance LED still flashes, which is not desirable (and acceptable for the customer).


Anyone an idea how to solve this??

Hi,

which LED is flashing exactly and are there any other LEDs flashing lighting in which colors (also alternating colors)?

Compare that with this table:

Status-LEDs

Is the LED status not described in the table, create a Support Request.

regards

sancruz

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Status LED:
• STOP/RUN  -> Green (Steady)
• ERROR       -> OFF
• MAINT        -> Flashing yellow

The description for the status LED's is "Remove the memory card".

Since we have tried at least 3 new SD-card and 2 new PLC's (CPU215 en CPU214), we are out of options...

Hi

You mentioned that you formatted the memory card in Windows.

If this is true, then it will no longer work in any cpu.

Never format a memory card from Windows, only from the cpu or the specific field pc mc card readers.

/Michael

 Hi,

AutoGen_8455018

Status LED:
• STOP/RUN  -> Green (Steady)
• ERROR       -> OFF
• MAINT        -> Flashing yellow

The description for the status LED's is "Remove the memory card".

 No, it's not. For the "Remove the memory card" request, the STOP/RUN LED must light steady "yellow", not "green", as in your case.

So in your case, it is a non described behaviour and therefore I would still open a Support Request.

If the SMC was formatted with windows, the SMC must be formatted with TIA (or with a S7-1500) afterwards again, otherwise the card is not functional anymore.

But Einstein also made a good point.

Why do you use an SMC at all? Especially as it is "only" a 4MB. You do not have the benefit of more load memory, as the build in load memory of a S7-1200 does have the same size and the SMC does not extent the load memory. It can only be used the internal load memory, or the SMC, not both.

regard

sancruz

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies and support.
In the meanwhile the problem has been solved.
The problem was the firmware version of the PLC.

A firmware upgrade from V4.5 to V4.6 was needed and now it works.
It is not the ideal situation, since older CPU's needs a firmware upgrade when the SD-card needs to be (re-)placed.

But for now the system is up and running, without error or warnings
 

Hi,

I had exactly the same issue with the same status LED. Machine was working but i dont like new machines this kind of warning on the PLC.

In the diagnostics i only found a warning with: Maintenance required - Card reader / writer warning 

Replace to the older now spare-parts SMC (6ES7954-8LC03-0AA0) and all working without LED blinking. 

Eventually did the firmware upgrade to V4.6.1 and all solved with the newer SMC (6ES7954-8LC04-0AA0)

So next time when we have a software update for a existing machine which is not possible to connect via VPN the customer must also update the firmware by SMC. instead of only change SMC with new software and run. (How can you use the memory card for the S7-1200 CPU? - ID: 87133851 - Industry Support Siemens point 6.)

But the strange thing for me is the sales and delivery release stated: The SIMATIC memory cards with the new article number are spare part compatible with the previous versions and can be ordered and delivered whith immediate effect.(Sales and delivery release for 4 MB, 12 MB, 24 MB, 256 MB, 2 GB and 32 GB SIMATIC... - ID: 109816058 - Industry Support Siemens )

Hope this helps everybody who has same issue. 

BR!