[Sherlock]

My son's traxxas stampede stopped working. Won't move or even attempt turn the motor. The stearing servo works, and the light on the esc flickers when you give it "gas", but there is no response indicated beyond that. No motor noise or movement, and all connections seem good.

Should I just assume the esc is fried? Or could the motor(brushed) be the problem?

[Narly1]

Originally Posted by Sherlock

My son's traxxas stampede stopped working. Won't move or even attempt turn the motor. The stearing servo works, and the light on the esc flickers when you give it "gas", but there is no response indicated beyond that. No motor noise or movement, and all connections seem good.

Should I just assume the esc is fried? Or could the motor(brushed) be the problem?

For most folks the easiest way to check the electronics is by substitution, also know as "the process of elimination". Here is a list of basic troubleshooting steps in logical order:

1. Power

Check the battery voltage and its connections.
Swap for a charged, known good battery.
Try running a known good motor directly off of the battery.
Does the receiver light up? Does the steering work? (These steps also check the radio but more about that below.)

2. Motor
Swap out the motor for a known good one.
Try running the motor directly off of a battery.

3. Radio

Does the receiver light up?
Does the steering work?

4. ESC

Does the ESC light up?
Try recalibrating the ESC.

Earl "Narly1" Anderson