What the E1033 alarm means

The encoder wiring check failed for the axis — the controller sees an open, short or miswired encoder line. This is one of the faults our repair team handles on Kawasaki E / F / C series (AS language) systems — the cause is usually identifiable within the first on-site inspection.

Most common causes

  • Broken encoder cable (most often at flex points near joints)
  • Connector pin bent, pushed out or corroded
  • Encoder cable connector not fully latched
  • Harness damage from interference or cable-track wear
Field note: the first item on this list is what we find most often on real machines. Check it before you go deeper.

Step-by-step field fix

  1. Reseat the encoder connectors at the arm and controller
  2. Continuity-test each encoder line end to end
  3. Inspect the cable track section for pinch damage
  4. Swap with a known-good cable to confirm
  5. Replace the harness and re-zero the axis
Safety first: never bypass safety circuits or force contactors closed. If the alarm involves E-stop chains, brakes or drive power, and you are not a trained robot technician, contact a professional — wrong moves here can cost you a robot or an injury.

Still stuck? Get an engineer on the phone — right now

Tell us the alarm code, the robot model and what was happening when the alarm came up. Our engineers run these diagnostics every day, and remote diagnosis by phone or video call is free.

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Hotline: +86-20-39029800 · WhatsApp: +86-188-1886-2860

Related Encoder & Position alarms

W1013 — Encoder Battery Voltage Low (Warning) E1029 — Encoder Revolution Count Abnormal (Axis XX) E1030 — Encoder Data Abnormal (Axis XX) E1511 — Encoder Battery Voltage Low [Servo] E1516 — Encoder Data Abnormal (Multiple Joints) D1500 — Axis Encoder Read Error
Other brands: we also keep field-fix libraries for Staubli · Epson · Nachi and more — see the complete alarm code hub.

Frequently asked questions

QWhat does the Kawasaki E1033 alarm mean?

The encoder wiring check failed for the axis — the controller sees an open, short or miswired encoder line. In field practice it belongs to the encoder & position family of faults.

QCan I clear a Kawasaki E1033 alarm myself?

Sometimes. Work through the step-by-step checks on this page — the first listed cause is what we find most often in the field. If the alarm returns after two attempts, or the fault involves power, brakes or safety circuits, stop and call a qualified robot service engineer.

QHow fast can a Henghuan engineer help?

On-site response in the Pearl River Delta within 30 minutes to 3 hours, across mainland China in 1-3 business days, and worldwide within 2-5 business days. Remote diagnosis by phone/WhatsApp/video is available immediately.

Written by the Henghuan Robotics repair team from field service experience. Alarm descriptions are our own summary for troubleshooting reference and may vary by controller and software version — when in doubt, check your Kawasaki documentation or contact us. Henghuan is an independent service provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Kawasaki.