RC Troubleshooting Guide
We know how exciting it is to get your RC vehicle up and running, and how frustrating it can be when things don’t go as planned.
This guide is designed to help you quickly identify and solve common issues so you can get back to enjoying your model.
- Battery installation: Double-check batteries are inserted with the correct polarity (+/-).
- Battery charge: Make sure your battery is fully charged. LiPo batteries should be charged with a proper balance charger.
- Connections: Inspect battery leads and connectors to ensure they are secure.
- Power switch: Confirm the switch is firmly in the ON position.
- Reset: Disconnect the battery for 30 seconds, reconnect, and test again.
- Battery installation: Double-check batteries are inserted with the correct polarity (+/-).
- Battery charge: Make sure your battery is fully charged. LiPo batteries should be charged with a proper balance charger.
- Connections: Inspect battery leads and connectors to ensure they are secure.
- Power switch: Confirm the switch is firmly in the ON position.
- Reset: Disconnect the battery for 30 seconds, reconnect, and test again.
- Battery size: Lower mAh batteries naturally provide shorter run times. Consider upgrading to a higher capacity battery if compatible.
- Terrain: Running on rough ground or climbing will drain batteries faster than driving on smooth surfaces.
- Temperature: Cold weather reduces battery performance—store and operate batteries at room temperature when possible.
- Storage: For LiPo batteries, store at ~3.8V per cell when not in use.
- Charging: Always use the recommended charger and follow correct charging practices.
- Battery size: Lower mAh batteries naturally provide shorter run times. Consider upgrading to a higher capacity battery if compatible.
- Terrain: Running on rough ground or climbing will drain batteries faster than driving on smooth surfaces.
- Temperature: Cold weather reduces battery performance—store and operate batteries at room temperature when possible.
- Storage: For LiPo batteries, store at ~3.8V per cell when not in use.
- Charging: Always use the recommended charger and follow correct charging practices.
- Charger check: Test your charger with another battery if available.
- Port inspection: Look for bent pins or debris in the charging port.
- Low voltage protection: Some batteries won’t charge if they’ve been drained too low—check your manual for reset instructions.
- Battery life: Rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan (typically 300–500 cycles). An old battery may need replacing.
- Charger check: Test your charger with another battery if available.
- Port inspection: Look for bent pins or debris in the charging port.
- Low voltage protection: Some batteries won’t charge if they’ve been drained too low—check your manual for reset instructions.
- Battery life: Rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan (typically 300–500 cycles). An old battery may need replacing.
- Inspect for stripped gears in the transmission or differentials.
- Check driveshafts to ensure they’re connected to the motor and wheels.
- Some models have adjustable clutches that may slip—check and adjust if needed.
- Remove any small rocks or debris that may be jamming the gears.
- Inspect for stripped gears in the transmission or differentials.
- Check driveshafts to ensure they’re connected to the motor and wheels.
- Some models have adjustable clutches that may slip—check and adjust if needed.
- Remove any small rocks or debris that may be jamming the gears.
- A low battery can still power the vehicle but with weak performance.
- Let the motor cool if it has overheated.
- Check gear mesh—if too tight, it causes resistance.
- Spin the wheels by hand to ensure nothing is binding in the drivetrain.
- If applicable, confirm ESC (Electronic Speed Control) settings are in the correct power mode.
- A low battery can still power the vehicle but with weak performance.
- Let the motor cool if it has overheated.
- Check gear mesh—if too tight, it causes resistance.
- Spin the wheels by hand to ensure nothing is binding in the drivetrain.
- If applicable, confirm ESC (Electronic Speed Control) settings are in the correct power mode.
- Grinding: Likely damaged gears or incorrect gear mesh.
- Clicking: Could indicate a damaged drive shaft or loose gear.
- Whining: May point to bearing wear or motor issues.
- Scraping: Look for debris caught in moving parts or body panels rubbing on wheels.
- Grinding: Likely damaged gears or incorrect gear mesh.
- Clicking: Could indicate a damaged drive shaft or loose gear.
- Whining: May point to bearing wear or motor issues.
- Scraping: Look for debris caught in moving parts or body panels rubbing on wheels.
- Differential problems can cause uneven power distribution.
- Inspect CV joints, drive axles, or other drivetrain parts for wear or breakage.
- Check wheel alignment and ensure each wheel rotates smoothly.
- Confirm the motor mount is tight and secure.
- Differential problems can cause uneven power distribution.
- Inspect CV joints, drive axles, or other drivetrain parts for wear or breakage.
- Check wheel alignment and ensure each wheel rotates smoothly.
- Confirm the motor mount is tight and secure.
- Ensure both the vehicle and controller have fresh, charged batteries.
- Re-bind the transmitter and receiver (see your manual).
- Inspect the receiver antenna for damage and ensure it’s extended properly.
- Move away from Wi-Fi routers or other RC vehicles that may cause interference.
- Stay within the recommended control range.
- Ensure both the vehicle and controller have fresh, charged batteries.
- Re-bind the transmitter and receiver (see your manual).
- Inspect the receiver antenna for damage and ensure it’s extended properly.
- Move away from Wi-Fi routers or other RC vehicles that may cause interference.
- Stay within the recommended control range.
- Replace or recharge low batteries in the remote or vehicle.
- Check for interference from nearby electronics or metal structures.
- Inspect servo connections and receiver components for damage.
- Test servos individually to ensure proper response.
- Adjust transmitter trims for accurate steering and throttle.
- Replace or recharge low batteries in the remote or vehicle.
- Check for interference from nearby electronics or metal structures.
- Inspect servo connections and receiver components for damage.
- Test servos individually to ensure proper response.
- Adjust transmitter trims for accurate steering and throttle.
- Ensure the transmitter antenna is fully extended.
- Position the receiver antenna vertically and away from metal parts.
- Terrain and obstacles like hills, trees, and buildings can reduce range.
- Low batteries in the transmitter are a common cause of range issues.
- Ensure the transmitter antenna is fully extended.
- Position the receiver antenna vertically and away from metal parts.
- Terrain and obstacles like hills, trees, and buildings can reduce range.
- Low batteries in the transmitter are a common cause of range issues.
- Small cracks in plastic parts can be repaired with RC-safe glue.
- Check body mounting points after crashes.
- Consider skid plates or bumpers for added protection.
- Small cracks in plastic parts can be repaired with RC-safe glue.
- Check body mounting points after crashes.
- Consider skid plates or bumpers for added protection.
- Most RC vehicles are water-resistant, not waterproof. Always dry thoroughly after wet use.
- For extra protection, you can apply conformal coating to electronics.
- Clean and re-lubricate bearings after dusty or wet runs.
- Maintain or replace air filters if your model includes one.
- Most RC vehicles are water-resistant, not waterproof. Always dry thoroughly after wet use.
- For extra protection, you can apply conformal coating to electronics.
- Clean and re-lubricate bearings after dusty or wet runs.
- Maintain or replace air filters if your model includes one.
- Replace tires with worn tread or damaged sidewalls.
- Unbalanced wheels can reduce performance—inspect regularly.
- Check foam inserts for wear or compression.
- For bead-lock wheels, check screws regularly for tightness.
- Replace tires with worn tread or damaged sidewalls.
- Unbalanced wheels can reduce performance—inspect regularly.
- Check foam inserts for wear or compression.
- For bead-lock wheels, check screws regularly for tightness.
- After each run: Remove debris, tighten screws, and inspect for damage.
- Every 5–10 runs: Clean thoroughly, check gear mesh, and lubricate moving parts.
- Every 20 runs: Inspect bearings, wiring, and servo operation.
- Seasonal: Fully strip down for a deep clean and complete inspection.
- After each run: Remove debris, tighten screws, and inspect for damage.
- Every 5–10 runs: Clean thoroughly, check gear mesh, and lubricate moving parts.
- Every 20 runs: Inspect bearings, wiring, and servo operation.
- Seasonal: Fully strip down for a deep clean and complete inspection.
If problems persist after trying these steps:
- Electrical faults and wiring should be checked by a technician.
- Major chassis or frame damage may need professional repair.
- For upgrades or compatibility advice, reach out to our RC specialists.
If problems persist after trying these steps:
- Electrical faults and wiring should be checked by a technician.
- Major chassis or frame damage may need professional repair.
- For upgrades or compatibility advice, reach out to our RC specialists.
Still need assistance?
Support: Contact us at sales@prohobbies.com.au
Our team will respond within 24 hours and can assist with replacement parts, warranty advice, and technical troubleshooting.
