PT40 SUPPORT

Get your PT40 working. Keep it working.

Most problems have a quick fix, and you’ll find it on this page. If you’d rather talk to a person, call us. We answer our own phone.

Have these ready if you call

Install it in 5 steps

No tools, no mechanic, about 15 minutes. Your PT40 is already set up for your truck’s VIN before it ships.

Key off

Turn the truck off before you plug anything in. Find the diagnostic port. It’s usually under the dash on the driver’s side, near your left knee.

Plug in the cable

Line up the pins and push the cable straight into the PT40 until the latch clicks. Then plug the other end into the truck’s port. Already have an ELD or tracker in the port? Use the Y-cable so both can share it.

Start the engine

Start the truck and let it idle. Watch the lights. The green and blue lights will blink, then go solid. This can take a few minutes the first time.

Tuck it away

Mount the PT40 behind or under the dash with the “this side down” label facing down. Use the zip ties to keep it and the cable away from your feet and pedals.

Watch for our email

Once the PT40 checks in, we’ll send you a “you’re reporting” email. That’s it. From here on, it tests on its own.

Handle the cable with care

The cable plugs into the PT40 with a latch. Push it straight in and pull it straight out. To unplug, press down on the latch at the wire end first. Twisting it or pulling at an angle can break the connector, and that’s not covered by warranty. Use only the cable that came in the box.

What the lights mean

The PT40 has three lights: green, orange and blue. You want green solid and blue solid with the engine running. Orange is GPS and doesn’t affect your test.

Green light

Off	Not talking to the truck. Normal with the key off.
Blinking	Connecting to the truck’s computer. Give it a minute.
Solid	Connected and reading the engine. This is what you want.

Blue light

Off	Cell radio is off or asleep.
Slow blink	Looking for cell service. Give it a few minutes, or move the truck.
Solid	Connected to the cell network. Results can get to CARB.

Orange light

Off	GPS is resting to save power. Normal.
Blinking	Looking for satellites.
Solid	GPS locked.

Lights off after a while? That’s normal. The PT40 turns its lights off to save your battery. It’s still working. If you want to check it, turn the truck off and back on and the lights will come back for a bit.

How the test works

You don’t start the test and you don’t see it happen. Here’s what’s going on in the background.

It waits for your window

CARB opens a 90-day test window for your truck. The PT40 only tests inside that window. Between windows it stays quiet. You don’t have to do anything special until the window opens.

It tests while you idle

When the window opens, park the truck and let it idle. The PT40 reads the engine while the truck is sitting still, then sends the result to CARB’s CTC-VIS system over its own cell line. No phone, app or Wi-Fi needed. A test takes a few minutes on most trucks, up to 10 on some. A fuel stop or pre-trip warm-up is usually enough.

It goes back to sleep

After a passing test, it’s done until the next window. If the test finds a problem, your CTC-VIS account shows the fault codes so your mechanic knows what to fix.

Where to see your result: log in to your CTC-VIS account at CARB. If CARBtrax manages your compliance, we watch it for you and let you know.

Troubleshooting

Find what you’re seeing. Try the fix. If it doesn’t clear up, call us and tell us what the lights are doing.

No lights at all

Turn the truck off and back on. If the lights still don’t come on, check that the cable is clicked into the PT40 and seated in the truck’s port. Check the fuse for the diagnostic port in your fuse box. If an ELD or tracker was just installed, make sure the PT40 is still plugged in. Still nothing? Call us.

Green light never goes solid

The engine has to be running, not just key on. Give it a few minutes at idle. If it’s still blinking, make sure you’re in the diagnostic port and not an accessory port. Some trucks need the Y-cable or a different cable. Call us and we’ll sort out the right one.

Blue light keeps blinking slowly

It can’t find cell service where the truck is parked. Move the truck somewhere with signal, park it and let it idle until the blue light goes solid. If it never goes solid anywhere, call us.

Blue light is doing something else

If the blue light is blinking in a pattern that isn’t a slow, steady blink, call us. That one needs a look from our end.

Lights look fine but CARB shows no test

Most of the time, your window hasn’t opened yet. The PT40 only tests inside your 90-day window. Check your window dates in CTC-VIS. If the window is open, park the truck and let it idle for 10 minutes with green and blue solid. Still no test? Call us with your Plan ID and we’ll check what the device reported.

A mechanic or installer unplugged it

Just plug it back in and start the truck. Nothing to reset. Make sure it went back into the same truck. The PT40 is tied to that VIN and won’t report from another one.

My truck failed the test

That’s the device doing its job early. Your CTC-VIS account lists the fault codes. Get them fixed, and the PT40 will test again. Keep the PT40 plugged in while the truck is being worked on.

I got an email that my plan is ending

Renew before the end date and nothing changes. If the plan ends, the PT40 stops reporting that day. You have 30 days to buy a new plan, and we’ll backdate it so you don’t lose coverage. After that, the device is deactivated.

Keep it working: the short list

Never move it to another truck. It's set up for one VIN and won't report from any other.
Don't pair it in your phone's Bluetooth settings. It doesn't need your phone.
Ignore the USB-C port. It's for factory setup only. It won't charge a phone and won't power the device.
Use only the cable it came with. Straight in, straight out.
Updates happen on their own. We push them over the air. Nothing for you to do.
Leave it plugged in. It sleeps when the truck is parked and won't drain your battery.
Keep your plan current. No plan, no tests.

Your plan and warranty

Your Plan ID

It looks like ACP-26-0017 and it’s printed on the plan card that came with your PT40. Have it ready whenever you call or email. It’s how we find your device fast.

When your plan year starts

Not the day you bought it. Your plan starts the day the PT40 runs its first official test, or 6 months after purchase, whichever comes first.

Renewing

Renew for $99 a year, or prepay 2 or 3 years to lock in today’s price. The plan covers cell service, firmware updates and every test for the term. One continuous term, no monthly bill.

Warranty

The PT40 carries a 1-year factory warranty. Your Annual Compliance Plan extends it, up to 3 years total. Cables are covered for 1 year. Full details are in our Terms of Service.

Still stuck? Call us.

CARBtrax is your only support contact for the PT40. Don’t call the manufacturer; they’ll send you back to us. We handle setup, replacements and warranty.

Phone: 1 (800) 530-7367
Email: support@carbtrax.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Pacific

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