Brand: Pit Boss
Category: Smoker
Manual Type:
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Manual for PBV4PS1 - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download
Uploaded: April 8, 2025, 1:52 p.m.
Manual Publish Date: 2018-01-01
Warranty Summary
Pit Boss PBV4PS1 smoker has a five (5) year warranty against defects and workmanship on all parts and electrical components from the original date of purchase.
This Pit Boss PBV4PS1 is a wood pellet smoker. To operate it, first ensure the temperature dial is in the SMOKE position, then plug in the power cord. For automatic start-up, press the power button, ensure the hopper is filled with pellets and the water pan is filled with water. For manual start-up, use a gelled fire starter in the burn pot. Preheat the smoker before cooking and adjust the temperature using the control dial. Monitor the internal temperature with the meat probe and temperature probe. After cooking, turn the temperature dial to 350°F for a burn-off cycle then to 200°F to burn out remaining pellets, and finally power off the unit.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problem | Cause | SOLUTION |
|---|---|---|
| No Power Lights On The Control Board | Power Button | Press the Power Button. Try another attempt and hold for two seconds to verify connection. |
| Not Connected To Power Source, GFCI Outlet Has Tripped | Ensure smoker is plugged into a working power source. Reset breaker. Ensure GFCI is a minimum 10 Amp service (see Electrical Wire Diagram for access to electric components). Ensure all wire connections are firmly connected and dry. | |
| Fuse Blown On The Control Board | Remove cooking components from the main smoke cabinet. Turn the unit onto its side, and remove the screws on the rear side of the Control Board. Check the fuse for a broken wire or if the wire has turned black. If yes, manually replace with a new fuse. | |
| Faulty Control Board | Control Board needs to be replaced. Contact Customer Service for a replacement part. | |
| Fire In Burn Pot Will Not Light | Auger Not Primed | Before the unit is used for the first time or anytime the hopper is completely emptied out, the auger must be primed to allow pellets to fill the burn pot. If not primed, the igniter will timeout before the pellets ignite. Follow Hopper Priming Procedure. |
| Auger Motor Is Jammed | Remove cooking components from the main smoke cabinet. Press the Power Button to turn the unit on, turn Temperature Control Dial to SMOKE, and inspect the auger feed system. Visually confirm that the auger is dropping pellets into the burn pot. If not operating properly, call Customer Service for assistance or a replacement part. | |
| Igniter Failure | Remove cooking components from the main smoke cabinet. Press the Power Button to turn the unit on, turn Temperature Control Dial to SMOKE, and inspect the igniter. Visually confirm that the igniter is working by placing your hand above the burn pot and feeling for heat. Visually confirm that the igniter is protruding approximately 13mm / 0.5 inches in the burn pot. If not operating properly, follow Manual Start-up Procedure to continue use of smoker; however, call Customer Service for assistance or a replacement part. | |
| Flashing Dots On LED Screen | The Igniter Is On | This is not an error that effects the unit. Used to show that the unit has power and is in Start-Up mode (igniter is on). The igniter will turn off after five minutes. Once the flashing dots disappear, the unit will begin to adjust to the desired temperature selected. |
| Flashing Temperature On LED Screen | Grill Temperature Is Below 65°C/150°F | This is not an error that effects the unit; however, it is used to show that there is some risk that the fire could go out. Check hopper for sufficient fuel or if there is an obstruction in the feed system. Remove pellets and follow Care and Maintenance instructions. Check grill temperature probe and follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Check burn pot for ash build-up or obstructions, and follow Care and Maintenance instructions for ash build-up. Check fan. Ensure it is working properly and air intake is not blocked. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Check auger motor to confirm operation (rotation), and ensure there is no blockage in the auger tube. |
| "ErH" Error Code | The Smoker Has Overheated, Possibly Due To Grease Fire Or Excess Fuel. | Press and hold the Power Button to turn the unit off, and allow smoker to cool. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions. After maintenance, remove pellets, and confirm positioning of all component parts. Once cooled, press the Power Button to turn the unit on, then select desired temperature. If error code still displayed, contact Customer Service. |
| "Er1" Error Code | Temperature Probe Wire Not Making Connection | Access the electrical components on the base of the unit (see Electrical Wire Diagram) and check for any damage to the Temperature Probe wires. Ensure Temperature Probe spade connectors are firmly connected, and connected correctly, to the Control Board. |
| "noP" Error Code | Bad Connection At Connection Port | Disconnect meat probe from connection port on the Control Board, and reconnect. Ensure the meat probe adapter is firmly connected. Check for signs of damage to the adapter end. If still failed, call Customer Service for replacement part. |
| Meat Probe Damaged | Check for signs of damage to the wires of the meat probe. If damaged, call Customer Service for replacement part. | |
| Faulty Control Board | Control Board needs to be replaced. Contact Customer Service for a replacement part. | |
| Smoker Will Not Achieve Or Maintain Stable Temperature | Insufficient Air Flow Through Burn Pot | Check burn pot for ash build-up or obstructions. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions for ash build-up. Check fan. Ensure it is working properly and air intake is not blocked. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Check auger motor to confirm operation, and ensure there is no blockage in the auger tube. Once all the above steps have been done, start the smoker, set temperature to SMOKE and wait for 10 minutes. Check that the flame produced is bright and vibrant. |
| Lack Of Fuel, Poor Fuel Quality, Obstruction In Feed System | Check hopper to check that fuel level is sufficient, and replenish if low. Should the quality of wood pellets be poor, or the length of the pellets too long, this may cause an obstruction in the feed system. Remove pellets and follow Care and Maintenance instructions. | |
| Temperature Probe | Check status of temperature probe. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Contact Customer Service for a replacement part if damaged. | |
| Smoker Produces Excess Or Discolored Smoke | Grease Build-Up | Follow Care and Maintenance instructions. |
| Wood Pellet Quality | Remove moist wood pellets from hopper. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions to clean out. Replace with dry wood pellets. | |
| Burn Pot Is Blocked | Clear burn pot of moist wood pellets. Follow Hopper Priming Procedure. | |
| Insufficient Air Intake For Fan | Check fan. Ensure it is working properly and air intake is not blocked. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. | |
| Frequent Flare-Ups | Cooking Temperature | Attempt cooking at a lower temperature. Grease does have a flash point. Keep the temperature under 176°C / 350°F when cooking highly greasy food. |
| Grease Build-Up On Cooking Components | Follow Care and Maintenance instructions. |
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problem | Cause | SOLUTION |
|---|---|---|
| No Power Lights On The Control Board | Power Button | Press the Power Button. Try another attempt and hold for two seconds to verify connection. |
| Not Connected To Power Source, GFCI Outlet Has Tripped | Ensure smoker is plugged into a working power source. Reset breaker. Ensure GFCI is a minimum 10 Amp service (see Electrical Wire Diagram for access to electric components). Ensure all wire connections are firmly connected and dry. | |
| Fuse Blown On The Control Board | Remove cooking components from the main smoke cabinet. Turn the unit onto its side, and remove the screws on the rear side of the Control Board. Check the fuse for a broken wire or if the wire has turned black. If yes, manually replace with a new fuse. | |
| Faulty Control Board | Control Board needs to be replaced. Contact Customer Service for a replacement part. | |
| Fire In Burn Pot Will Not Light | Auger Not Primed | Before the unit is used for the first time or anytime the hopper is completely emptied out, the auger must be primed to allow pellets to fill the burn pot. If not primed, the igniter will timeout before the pellets ignite. Follow Hopper Priming Procedure. |
| Auger Motor Is Jammed | Remove cooking components from the main smoke cabinet. Press the Power Button to turn the unit on, turn Temperature Control Dial to SMOKE, and inspect the auger feed system. Visually confirm that the auger is dropping pellets into the burn pot. If not operating properly, call Customer Service for assistance or a replacement part. | |
| Igniter Failure | Remove cooking components from the main smoke cabinet. Press the Power Button to turn the unit on, turn Temperature Control Dial to SMOKE, and inspect the igniter. Visually confirm that the igniter is working by placing your hand above the burn pot and feeling for heat. Visually confirm that the igniter is protruding approximately 13mm / 0.5 inches in the burn pot. If not operating properly, follow Manual Start-up Procedure to continue use of smoker; however, call Customer Service for assistance or a replacement part. | |
| Flashing Dots On LED Screen | The Igniter Is On | This is not an error that effects the unit. Used to show that the unit has power and is in Start-Up mode (igniter is on). The igniter will turn off after five minutes. Once the flashing dots disappear, the unit will begin to adjust to the desired temperature selected. |
| Flashing Temperature On LED Screen | Grill Temperature Is Below 65°C/150°F | This is not an error that effects the unit; however, it is used to show that there is some risk that the fire could go out. Check hopper for sufficient fuel or if there is an obstruction in the feed system. Remove pellets and follow Care and Maintenance instructions. Check grill temperature probe and follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Check burn pot for ash build-up or obstructions, and follow Care and Maintenance instructions for ash build-up. Check fan. Ensure it is working properly and air intake is not blocked. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Check auger motor to confirm operation (rotation), and ensure there is no blockage in the auger tube. |
| "ErH" Error Code | The Smoker Has Overheated, Possibly Due To Grease Fire Or Excess Fuel. | Press and hold the Power Button to turn the unit off, and allow smoker to cool. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions. After maintenance, remove pellets, and confirm positioning of all component parts. Once cooled, press the Power Button to turn the unit on, then select desired temperature. If error code still displayed, contact Customer Service. |
| "Er1" Error Code | Temperature Probe Wire Not Making Connection | Access the electrical components on the base of the unit (see Electrical Wire Diagram) and check for any damage to the Temperature Probe wires. Ensure Temperature Probe spade connectors are firmly connected, and connected correctly, to the Control Board. |
| "noP" Error Code | Bad Connection At Connection Port | Disconnect meat probe from connection port on the Control Board, and reconnect. Ensure the meat probe adapter is firmly connected. Check for signs of damage to the adapter end. If still failed, call Customer Service for replacement part. |
| Meat Probe Damaged | Check for signs of damage to the wires of the meat probe. If damaged, call Customer Service for replacement part. | |
| Faulty Control Board | Control Board needs to be replaced. Contact Customer Service for a replacement part. | |
| Smoker Will Not Achieve Or Maintain Stable Temperature | Insufficient Air Flow Through Burn Pot | Check burn pot for ash build-up or obstructions. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions for ash build-up. Check fan. Ensure it is working properly and air intake is not blocked. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Check auger motor to confirm operation, and ensure there is no blockage in the auger tube. Once all the above steps have been done, start the smoker, set temperature to SMOKE and wait for 10 minutes. Check that the flame produced is bright and vibrant. |
| Lack Of Fuel, Poor Fuel Quality, Obstruction In Feed System | Check hopper to check that fuel level is sufficient, and replenish if low. Should the quality of wood pellets be poor, or the length of the pellets too long, this may cause an obstruction in the feed system. Remove pellets and follow Care and Maintenance instructions. | |
| Temperature Probe | Check status of temperature probe. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. Contact Customer Service for a replacement part if damaged. | |
| Smoker Produces Excess Or Discolored Smoke | Grease Build-Up | Follow Care and Maintenance instructions. |
| Wood Pellet Quality | Remove moist wood pellets from hopper. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions to clean out. Replace with dry wood pellets. | |
| Burn Pot Is Blocked | Clear burn pot of moist wood pellets. Follow Hopper Priming Procedure. | |
| Insufficient Air Intake For Fan | Check fan. Ensure it is working properly and air intake is not blocked. Follow Care and Maintenance instructions if dirty. | |
| Frequent Flare-Ups | Cooking Temperature | Attempt cooking at a lower temperature. Grease does have a flash point. Keep the temperature under 176°C / 350°F when cooking highly greasy food. |
| Grease Build-Up On Cooking Components | Follow Care and Maintenance instructions. |