Bosch Indego S+ 500 does not follow the boundary wire: Diagnosis Guide

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING / BATTERY RISK: This device contains lithium batteries. Improper puncturing or bending during disassembly can cause explosions or flames. Any physical intervention, including instrumental verification, must be performed by a qualified technician with the appliance disconnected from the power. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only.

QUICK TEST

The problem of the Bosch Indego S+ 500 not following the boundary wire almost always indicates a signal interruption. Here are the steps to identify the most probable cause:

1. Visual Inspection of the Boundary Wire (High Probability: 65%):
   • Walk the entire perimeter of the garden, paying close attention to the wire. Look for cuts, pinches, exposed spots, or loose connections.
   • Often happens when: The wire is damaged by gardening tools (rakes, spades), excavation work, or chewed by animals. Carefully check areas near borders, flowerbeds, or pathways.
2. Check Charging Station Connections (Medium Probability: 18%):
   • Disconnect the two ends of the boundary wire from the charging station.
   • Check that the terminals are clean, free of oxidation or corrosion, and that the wires are inserted correctly and securely. Reconnect them carefully, ensuring perfect contact.
   • Typical user error: Not ensuring a watertight and robust connection, which leads to corrosion and intermittent interruptions.
3. Charging Station Indicator Status (Low Probability: 10% for station fault):
   • Observe the LED lights on the charging station. A solid green light generally indicates that the boundary circuit is intact and the signal is being emitted correctly.
   • If the light is off, solid red, or flashing abnormally (consult the manual for specific codes), there might be a wire interruption or a fault with the station itself.

DECISION FORK

• If QUICK TEST 1 (Visual Inspection) revealed wire damage:
  • Repair yourself: The problem is localized. You can purchase a Bosch Indego S+ 500 Wire Repair Kit (cost: 10-30€) and Wire strippers/crimpers. Ensure the splice is waterproof.
• If QUICK TEST 2 (Connections) resolved the problem (after reconnecting the wire, the robot works):
  • Repair yourself: The problem was a faulty connection. No cost, just cleaning and restoration.
• If the QUICK TESTS did not identify the visible cause and the station's LEDs indicate a fault (e.g., solid red light for broken wire, but you can't find the cut):
  • Repair yourself (advanced level): You can try to locate the hidden cut with a Multimeter to test the continuity of the wire disconnected from the station. If you are not familiar with using a multimeter or the cut is difficult to find, move to the next option.
  • Contact a technician: A technician has specific tools to locate hidden boundary wire breaks or to test the signal.
• If the QUICK TESTS do not identify the cause and the station's LEDs indicate a problem with the station itself (e.g., no light, abnormal flashing light, despite the wire being intact):
  • Contact a technician / Replace the device: An internal fault with the Bosch Indego S+ 500 Charging Station is probable. Replacement has a medium-high cost (100-250€). If the device is old, consider complete replacement.
• If the problem persists and everything seems fine (wire, connections, charging station working):
  • Contact a technician / Replace the device: The problem likely lies in the robot's inductive sensors or motherboard (Low Probability: 7%). This diagnosis requires disassembly and specific tools. Repair costs can be high, approaching the cost of a new robot, making replacement a concrete option.

DIAGNOSIS CONFIRMED

The "Not Following Wire Boundary" malfunction on the Bosch Indego S+ 500 is almost always due to a loss of the boundary signal.

Decreasing probability of causes:

1. Broken or damaged boundary wire (65%): The robot does not receive the electromagnetic field necessary for navigation.
2. Faulty charging station connections (18%): Loose or corroded terminals block the signal.
3. Charging station fault (10%): The station does not generate or transmit the signal correctly.
4. Dirty/damaged robot inductive sensors or motherboard fault (7%): The robot does not detect the signal even if present.

Key signals/indicators:

• Robot stops or moves randomly away from the perimeter: Typical of a total or intermittent absence of the signal.
• No green light on the charging station: Strong indication of a broken wire or a station fault.

Indicative costs:

• Wire repair: Low (10-30€ for kit)
• Charging station replacement: Medium-High (100-250€)
• Internal robot repair (sensors/board): High (often >200€, can exceed the value of a new device).

Clear operational decision: If quick tests indicate a wire fault, repair it; if the charging station is faulty, consider replacing it; for other causes, contact a technician.