RC cars are a lot of fun to drive, but sometimes things go wrong and it can be difficult to know what's wrong. There are many common problems that can prevent your vehicle from functioning properly. Here are our solutions for diagnosing and resolving some common faults in radio-controlled cars.
Is there really a problem with your car?
You should always start with the most obvious, otherwise you risk spending hours repairing your car even though it works just fine. Here are some simple questions to ask yourself before considering an electrical or mechanical problem:
- Are the batteries charged and installed correctly?
- Is the car on? And the transmitter?
- Is your transmitter connected to your receiver?
These checks seem obvious, but sometimes when you encounter a problem, the mind can focus on the worst-case scenario and prevent you from seeing what's not working.
My car won't start
A car that won't start or is abnormally slow could indicate a faulty or dead battery.
- Check that your transmitter has working batteries.
- Check that the batteries are connected securely and in the correct orientation.
- Take out the batteries and test them to make sure they are charged and not defective.
Another problem you may encounter is with the wiring. An electrical circuit must be closed so that electric current can flow through it. Look for areas where the circuit is open by checking the condition of the wires and making sure all connections go back to the motor, servo, and battery. Any exposed or broken wires could be the reason your car isn't running. Replace or repair them using a soldering iron .
Accelerator works, but no steering
If the steering is unresponsive , the screws may be too tight or something is blocking it.
- Check that there is no debris blocking the servo mechanism.
- Check that the tie rods are secure.
The steering works, but the accelerator does not
If your car is running but cannot move forward or backward then the problem is probably with the engine.
- Check that the motor is properly connected.
- Check the condition of the cables between the motor and the servos.
The shock absorbers are defective
If your car's shock absorbers are not behaving normally, you can check the following things:
- Is the shock cap cracked?
- Have you changed the oil recently? Make sure you have chosen an oil suitable for your car and that there are no air bubbles.
- Are the shock absorbers dirty? If so, you can remove and clean them without having to take them apart.
- Have you checked the wishbones? There may be a rock or dirt stuck between them and this could cause a slow or no rebound.
If none of these problems seem to get your shocks back into working order, you may need to replace them .
Tires come off rims
This tends to happen more often over time, due to general wear and tear. To avoid having to search for your tires , try super glue . A few small points around the rim will allow your tires to stay stuck and you can enjoy your model with complete peace of mind.
