Resolving a sensor indicator problem

Learn how to resolve a sensor indicator problem by using the BMC dashboard.

After the system is powered on, some sensors retain their status from the last time the system was operational. As a result, the sensor indicator LED might not reflect the status of the physical sensor, and it can be unclear whether the sensor indicator LED indicates an actual problem that requires a service action. For more information about BMC dashboard sensors on an 8335-GCA or 8335-GTA, see Event sensor status GUI display. For more information about BMC dashboard sensors on an 8335-GTB, see Event sensor status GUI display. For more information about BMC dashboard sensors on an 8348-21C, see Event sensor status GUI display.

To refresh the sensor indicator LEDs and to determine whether a service action is required, complete the following procedure:

Power off the system. Then, boot the system to the operational state. Click Refresh on the BMC dashboard.
Are any of the sensor indicator LEDs still red?
- Yes: Continue with the next step.
- No: This ends the procedure.
Record the names of any sensors that have a red LED indicator status.
Note: Repeat steps 3 - 6 for every sensor that you record in this step.
Use one of the following commands to list the sensor event logs (SELs).
- To list SELs by using an in-band network, enter the following command:
```
ipmitool sel elist
```
- To list SELs remotely over the LAN, enter the following command:
```
ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <BMC IP addres or BMC hostname> sel elist
```
Review the list of SELs and locate the log entry that meets the following criteria:
- The name of any of the sensors you recorded in step 2.
- A service action keyword is present. For a list of service action keywords, see Identifying service action keywords in system event logs.
- Asserted is in the description.
Did you identify a log entry that meets the above criteria?
- Yes: Continue with the next step.
- No: Go to Collecting diagnostic data. Then, go to Contacting IBM service and support. This ends the procedure.
Use one of the following options to display the SEL details for the sensor:
Note: You must specify the SEL record ID in hexadecimal format. For example: 0x1a.
- To display SEL details by using an in-band network, enter the following command:
```
ipmitool sel get <SEL record ID>
```
- To display SEL details remotely over the LAN, enter the following command:
```
ipmitool -I lanplus -U <username> -P <password> -H <BMC IP address or BMC hostname> sel get <SEL record ID>
```
The sensor ID field contains sensor information in the sensor name (sensor ID) format. Record the sensor name, sensor ID, and event description. Then, use this information to determine the service action to perform:
- If your system is an 8335-GCA or 8335-GTA, go to Identifying a service action by using sensor and event information for the 8335-GCA and 8335-GTA to determine the service action to perform. This ends the procedure.
- If your system is an 8335-GTB, go to Identifying a service action by using sensor and event information for the 8335-GTB to determine the service action to perform. This ends the procedure.
- If your system is an 8348-21C, go to Identifying a service action by using sensor and event information for the 8348-21C to determine the service action to perform. This ends the procedure.

Last updated: Thu, December 02, 2021