T-MAXX • 35
The following section addresses some very basic engine and
radio questions you may have about your T-Maxx. Most questions
arise from simple user errors or minor adjustments that are easy
to correct. If you can’t find a solution for your T-Maxx here, then
visit our Web site at www.Traxxas.com/support. There you will
find a much more extensive and detailed online troubleshooting
area. In addition, you may call Traxxas Customer Service at
1-888-TRAXXAS (outside the U.S., call +1-972-265-8000).
Radio system does not work properly:
• If the power light on the transmitter does not come on,
check for proper battery installation and that the batteries
are new and/or fully charged. If the power light is blinking,
then the transmitter batteries are weak and should be
replaced. See page 10 for more details.
• If the transmitter light is on but the radio is still not responding,
check for proper installation of the receiver batteries and that
the batteries are new and/or fully charged. Check to make sure
the on/off switch on the model is in the on position. Finally,
if there is still no response, check the red and black wires that
connect the battery pack to the “batt” terminal on the receiver
(you will have to remove the receiver cover). Make sure the
wires are not pinched or damaged and that the plug is secure
in the receiver. See page 10 for more details.
Engine will not spin (EZ-Start will not turn the engine):
• If neither LED on the controller lights, the EZ-Start battery
could be discharged or improperly connected. Inspect and
recharge if necessary.
• If the glow plug LED lights and the motor LED does not,
then the EZ-Start controller is in protection mode. Allow the
controller to cool for at least three minutes. The circuitry
should automatically reset.
• Check to make sure the wires are connected to the EZ-Start
motor in the T-Maxx. The red wire should connect to the
positive motor terminal, indicated by a red dot next to
the terminal.
• The engine could be flooded. If too much fuel accumulates
in the combustion chamber at start up, the engine will
hydraulically lock. Follow the procedure on page 34 for
clearing a flooded engine.
• Check for binding at the engine flywheel. If you are not able
to turn the engine by hand, the engine could be flooded,
there could be binding in the clutch system, or there could
be internal engine damage. (Note: It is normal for the engine
to be extremely tight and hard to turn when the piston
reaches the top of the compression stroke.)
Engine extremely sluggish, hard to start, and will not idle
during tank 1 of the break in:
• It is possible that the factory adjusted break-in settings
on your carburetor are too rich for your geographic
location, atmospheric conditions, or fuel brand. Extremes
in temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and
altitude can’t always be accounted for with a single high-
speed needle setting. The symptoms described above
can occur when the air density is very low, such as in high
mountainous elevations and extremely cold temperatures.
Under these conditions, lean the fuel mixture slightly, 1/8
turn, to see if there is any improvement in starting and
idling. Only lean the fuel mixture just until the engine will
run and idle reliably and then proceed with the break in.
• The contents of different brands of fuel (other than Traxxas
Top Fuel) in combination with extreme atmospheric
conditions can also make the factory preset break-in settings
too rich and cause the symptoms described above. Again,
try leaning the fuel mixture slightly, 1/8 turn, to see if there
is any improvement in starting and idling.
Engine spins but will not start:
• If the engine is spinning but will not start, first check to
make sure that both the motor and glow plug LEDs on the
EZ-Start controller light when the button is depressed. If the
glow plug LED does not light, make sure the blue glow plug
wire is tightly connected and is not damaged in any way.
If the wire is good, then replace the glow plug. It is normal
for glow plugs to require periodic replacement. Only use
Traxxas heavy-duty long glow plugs (see your parts list).
• Check your fuel mixture settings. It may be necessary
to adjust the fuel mixture if the outside temperature or
barometric pressure has changed significantly since the last
time the engine was run (see Fine Tuning the Carburetor on
28). Turn the high-speed needle out (rich/counterclockwise)
1/4 turn, hold the throttle trigger at about 1/2 throttle and
try again to start the engine. Once started, retune the engine
for performance (see page 26).
• Check to make sure the fuel is getting to the carburetor.
Remove the fuel line where it connects to the carburetor
to see if there is fuel in it. If not, you may need to prime the
engine. Reconnect the fuel line and then refer to page 24 for
instructions on priming the engine.
• The engine could be worn. If the fit between the piston and
sleeve is loose, compression is reduced, and the engine will
be difficult to start when it is warm and may tend to stall
when running and when the throttle is closed suddenly to
idle. Engine life depends on many factors, including fuel
type, air filter maintenance, needle settings, and how the
engine was used. For example, if the engine was allowed
to ingest dirt from lack of air filter maintenance or running
through water, then the internal engine components could
wear out extremely fast.
• Glow plug may have failed. If using an EZ-Start, check to see if
the glow plug light is on during starting. If not, replace the glow
plug. If using a glow ignitor, remove and check the glow plug.
Engine performance sluggish:
• Engine performance depends mostly on the fuel mixture
settings and how they compensate for the current atmospheric
conditions. Before you suspect other failures with the engine,
richen the high-speed needle at least 1/4 turn and then retune
the engine for performance (see page 26).
• If the fuel mixture seems to be set correctly, make sure the
fuel is fresh. If the fuel is old or was left uncapped for a long
period, then some of the important fuel components could
have evaporated. Try new, fresh Traxxas Top Fuel.
• Try a new Traxxas glow plug. Sometimes a glow plug will
work well enough to start the engine, but will not be able to
deliver the engine’s full performance potential.
• Check to make sure there is no binding in the driveline that
would cause excessive loads on the engine.
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR T-MAXX
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