TROUBLESHOOTING THE M18 ELECTRONICS
Servo Troubleshooting
Remove the servo from the car.
Open the case and remove the gears. Examine them for broken teeth.
If broken, replace with a new gear set.
Remove the servo from the car.
Open the case and remove the gears.
Spray a zero-residue electrical cleaner into and around the potentiometer and work it in.
After the cleaner has dried, re-install the gears and close the case.
Possible damaged receiver/transmitter crystal.
Disconnect the steering rod from the left front steeringblock. Steer left and right with the transmitter several times.
If the servo arm does not return to the same neutral position each time, the servo may be damaged.
Remove the servo from the car. Open the case and check for proper gear alignment.
Next check the case top for wear. If wear is evident, replace the case.
Remove the servo from the car.
Open the case and check for proper gear alignment. If gears are damaged, replace the gear seta
Check the case top for wear. If wear is evident, replace the case.
This is normal if the servo is trying to hold position against the force of a load.
If the servo hums when no load is applied, try loosening the servo case screws 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
Check the servo wiring, it should match the receiver being used.
If the wiring is okay, the servo motor may be stalled due to a failed gear train.
Remove the servo from the car, open the case and inspect for any damage.
Change the servo reversing setting, and then re-adjust the steering subtrim and EPA settings.
Servo makes a grinding noise or
acts erratic
Servo jitters
Servo doesn’t center properly
Servo is locked in place
Servo hums
Servo gets hot
Wheels turn in opposite direction to
setting input
Switch on transmitter and ESC.
Check if all connectors (motor, battery, ESC) are properly connected.
Check if batteries are charged.
Check if ESC and servo connectors are plugged into proper receiver channels, and wire color sequences are correct.
Check motor wiring connections.
Check if ESC is plugged into throttle receiver channel.
Check throttle channel operation with a servo. Check wiring color sequence of receive signal harness.
Turn transmitter on. Turn off ESC. Set throttle trim on transmitter to maximum position. Turn on ESC again.
Turn transmitter on. Turn off ESC then turn it on again (reset); the ESC will find its neutral position.
Make sure when you turn on the ESC that the transmitter throttle is in the neutral position.
Check if front and rear diffs are both inserted in the diff housings correctly.
On the transmitter, switch the servo reverse setting for the ESC.
Check wiring connections.
Possible bad motor or battery. Replace and check again.
Incorrect transmitter adjustment. Refer to ‘Transmitter Adjustments’ section.
Motor wired backwards. Check wiring and reverse.
Receiver or antenna may be too close to ESC, power wires, battery, or motor.
Possible damaged receiver/transmitter crystal.
Check wiring connections.
Motor brushes may be worn. Replace motor if necessary.
Possible excessive motor current. Use smaller pinion gear.
Re-adjust transmitter throttle settings (subtrim, neutral position, EPA.
Car does not react to signals from
transmitter
Steering works but motor does not run
Car goes forward, but does not reverse
Car goes forward, but reverses when
trigger goes to neutral
Brake or reverse activates when applying
forward throttle at transmitter
Motor runs slowly/slow acceleration
Motor runs backwards
Receiver glitches/throttle stutters
ESC Troubleshooting
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