MPU-9250 help required

[duncan2342]

Hi, I am using an MPU-9250 and the code bolderflight/mpu9250 from github (GitHub - bolderflight/invensense-imu: Arduino and CMake library for communicating with the InvenSense MPU-6500, MPU-9250 and MPU-9255 nine-axis IMUs.).

I believe all the connections are properly connected to the right pins, however, whenever I run the code I get

IMU initialization unsuccessful
Check IMU wiring or try cycling power
Status: -5

I can not figure out what this means and what I need to do to fix this, any help would be appreciated

[jremington]

You can check the wiring by running the I2C address scanner.

Be sure to use logic level shifters, if you are attempting to connect a 5V Arduino to a 3.3V sensor that does not already have them.

[duncan2342]

Thanks for the quick reply, I did run the scanner and was getting the address 0x68, if I have just been using the 3.3V power output on the uno do I still need to use logic level shifters?

[jremington]

Yes, you really need to use logic level shifters, despite the many bad tutorials that suggest otherwise.

Better, use a 3.3V Arduino, then you don't need level shifters, or buy a more modern 9DOF sensor breakout that has the level shifters built in. The LSM9DS1 and similar work MUCH better than the discontinued MPU-9250.