Why is my PICKit 3 not detecting the target device.

All the connections are OK. MPLAB is detecting the kit but the it is always asking to connect the device.

PS. I am using a separate 5V for the PIC 16F88. the ground, PGD, PGC & VPP are connected properly, I double checked them.

So what am I missing here.

 

There should be a MPLAB setting for external power (not sure where). Then you should connect Vdd on the chip to the PICKIT3.

 

Can you make a copy of the erreor message?

 

Image attached

 

Ejector!? This isn't an automotive project, is it?

Check to make sure you aren't in LVP mode... and are there any connections to your PGD and PGC lines?

 

PS. I am using a separate 5V for the PIC 16F88. the ground, PGD, PGC & VPP are connected properly, I double checked them.

So triple check them. Personally I'm about 50/50 in getting PGD and PGC reversed (even once on a PCB layout).

Are there any heavy loads on PGD or PGC? Is there a big cap on VDD (though I have not seen that problem in a long time and forget which programmer it was, perhaps the PM3).

If you have a scope try it and see if the signals "look clean" (Vss to Vdd with sharp edges) and nothing holds VPP down too low.

 

So triple check them. Personally I'm about 50/50 in getting PGD and PGC reversed (even once on a PCB layout).

Are there any heavy loads on PGD or PGC? Is there a big cap on VDD (though I have not seen that problem in a long time and forget which programmer it was, perhaps the PM3).

If you have a scope try it and see if the signals "look clean" (Vss to Vdd with sharp edges) and nothing holds VPP down too low.

I've swapped those two plenty of times too

Also, if you have a MCLR resistor, make sure that Vpp is connected directly to your Vpp pin and the resistor goes to Vdd after that connection...

 

This has helped before
In the MPLAB menu. Go to configure->Select Device. And check that the setting match your PIC. If this do not help. Try Programmer-> settings->configuration. Then click Manual Download

 

Connections are good, I have only the F88 connected.

Nothing else is connected yet.

 

Connections are good, I have only the F88 connected.

Nothing else is connected yet.

How about posting a picture of your breadboard?

 

I connected the Vdd line and still the same msg.

not bread board. Everything is soldered

 

I connected the Vdd line and still the same msg.

not bread board. Everything is soldered

Hmm... how about the schematic, then?

 

All the lights in the kit are lit. the Active led flashes. It stops flashing when I recconect the PIC. Status led turns red until the active led flashing stops.

 

All the lights in the kit are lit. the Active led flashes. It stops flashing when I recconect the PIC. Status led turns red until the active led flashing stops.

For whatever reason, the PIC isn't responding properly to the Pickit.

Ensure that:
1.) Pickit ground and circuit ground are connected
2.) PGD and PGC are connected properly(to teh right pins)
3.) there are no other connections on Vpp, just pin 1 on the Pickit

Other that this, there is a chance you fried the chip while soldering...

 

Check continuity and diode check on both PGC and PGD to ground and Vdd

Same for MCLR

This is one of those problems that last a few months when a home-made programmer is being used.

 

Hi, I know what this is for, or at least I think I know.

A picture of the circuit would be nice. I know that staring at the same circuit makes you go blind. I tend to do it all the times.

When I get that error message, I check the following:

• PGD
• PGC
• VCC
• GND
• MCLR
• Resistor on MCLR
• Powersource

Usually, I find the error then.

 

Check for soldering duds and bridges and in any case of doubt, resolder all pins. Connect all 5 PICKIT3 pins.

 

Could be a bad pic or bad programmmer. Do you have any other pics?

 

Should there be resistor on MCLR ?

If I MCLR_OFF, then would it work ?

I just can't seem to connect the device.

It's just the PIC and the pickit 3. What else would I be doing.

There are no solder bridges.

I am quiet confident in my soldering abilities.

The circuit has only the PIC yet for now. So what am I missing ?

 

So what am I missing ?

Pictures...?