I try to start it and I get a 6 blink code during the initialization phase. That's the exhaust fan not working. It is. Can this be fixed in the Bixby software?
Bixby Maxfire 115 (AGAIN!!)
- Thread starter Hawke
- Start date
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OpenMaxFire
New Member
Hello! I know this is an old thread, but we have now reverse-engineered enough of the Bixby firmware and BixCheck software to explain what is happening here.
Light 6 does not simply mean that the exhaust fan motor isn’t turning. The motherboard also watches a separate exhaust-fan speed sensor connected at J10. The fan can be visibly running while the controller receives no signal, or too few pulses, from that sensor.
We confirmed this directly in firmware 2.06, 2.70, and 2.71. After repeatedly detecting almost no tachometer pulses, the firmware sets the light-6 exhaust-fan fault.
I would check the following with the stove unplugged:
BixCheck may only “fix” this if the stove has incorrect or corrupted configuration. For a MaxFire 115, verify that the high-output fan type is selected and that its startup-fan calibration is reasonable. The actual light-6 low-speed threshold is hard-coded in the stove firmware and should not be bypassed.
We have documented the firmware signal path and BixCheck tests here:
https://github.com/0fEfF2Dto4KoNAVZu8cb5/OpenMaxFire/blob/main/docs/protocol/register-map.md
https://github.com/0fEfF2Dto4KoNAVZu8cb5/OpenMaxFire/blob/main/docs/bixcheck/checkout-tests.md
This research is part of OpenMaxFire, an open-source preservation and repairability project for the MaxFire 110/115:
https://openmaxfire.com
We are also still searching for a surviving copy of firmware 2.73. If anyone has it on an old computer, CD, USB drive, or email attachment, please contact us at contact@openmaxfire.com. Thanks!
Light 6 does not simply mean that the exhaust fan motor isn’t turning. The motherboard also watches a separate exhaust-fan speed sensor connected at J10. The fan can be visibly running while the controller receives no signal, or too few pulses, from that sensor.
We confirmed this directly in firmware 2.06, 2.70, and 2.71. After repeatedly detecting almost no tachometer pulses, the firmware sets the light-6 exhaust-fan fault.
I would check the following with the stove unplugged:
- Reseat and inspect the small J10 exhaust-fan sensor connector and its wiring.
- Check that the sensor is centered over the motor’s cooling-fan blades and has the correct clearance.
- Make sure the fan spins freely and isn’t running unusually slowly.
BixCheck may only “fix” this if the stove has incorrect or corrupted configuration. For a MaxFire 115, verify that the high-output fan type is selected and that its startup-fan calibration is reasonable. The actual light-6 low-speed threshold is hard-coded in the stove firmware and should not be bypassed.
We have documented the firmware signal path and BixCheck tests here:
https://github.com/0fEfF2Dto4KoNAVZu8cb5/OpenMaxFire/blob/main/docs/protocol/register-map.md
https://github.com/0fEfF2Dto4KoNAVZu8cb5/OpenMaxFire/blob/main/docs/bixcheck/checkout-tests.md
This research is part of OpenMaxFire, an open-source preservation and repairability project for the MaxFire 110/115:
https://openmaxfire.com
We are also still searching for a surviving copy of firmware 2.73. If anyone has it on an old computer, CD, USB drive, or email attachment, please contact us at contact@openmaxfire.com. Thanks!
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