need help

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Jamerson Lamb

Member
Messages
26
Location
Va
Just got a savage got it used it worked fine when i went to get came home put new batt in it and now that i did that the gas and steering jump back and forth. i tried a different receiver and transmitter and is still doing the same thing can any one help me out please
 
did you turn on the transmitter and then the vehicle ?? your post lacks alot of needed info is it 2.4 or one of the older 27 or 75 band setups for the radio ?
 
you say set of batteries... you must still be using dry cell types....check they are inserted correctly and all making contact.....I would get a hump style rechargeable batter for the truck, relatively cheep and with a charger about 20 bux or so... plus side the system will work better and last longer......
 
yeah i just got the truck but they all seem to have good contact. it will start to act right when i move my hand over the remote. I'm just lost
 
814134d1317334295-hpi-vorza-radio-tf3-w-receiver-tf-3-radio.jpg


Should say somewhere on the TX as to what it is.... does it look like the one above ???
 
as far as I know the older tf3 is a 75 band radio and not compatible with a 2.4 receiver at all.....
 
have you had any other rc cars/trucks before. some basic experience on your part is needed here
 
this is my first nitro I'm a mechanic so i can do all the testing and stuff i need I'm just lost on these bc iv changed out all of my electric stuff wit parts that i kno are good from my xl to see if it would fix so i know what part to buy but everything i have done doesnt seem to help the only thing i haven't changed was the boxes for the steering and gas but i doubt that both of those are bad ( i guess its possible ) but i don't think they would both go bad at the same exact time
 
doubtful.... I say reinstall the receiver that was in it when you got it and then start checking connections on everything, servos, antenna on TX and RX and all battery connections, if you have a savage xl then you must have some experience, you say this is your first nitro but all the same TX and RX stuff is the same..... it is time to start over and just check check check.....
 
man i have checked i have even taken the stuff out of my traxxas jato to see and didnt help. I'm just lost and mad so its possible that i over looked something. was just hoping that someone else had the same issue i have and fixed
 
sorry without having the thing in front of me is terribly difficult to help diagnose no less effect a repair on these things at times....in my 30 odd years in the hobby I have probably seen most all that can happen but it will just take some sherlock holmes investigation on your part....

Like some of the 1/1 auto manufacturers say "replace with known good part" :lmao:
 
Jamerson Lamb....just take a breather and not worry. Worse case is to replace the servos with new ones.
As Jam mentioned, check everything that could possibly lead to this issue. Some ideas are;

- If your using an AM/FM radio (the ones with extendable antenna) then make sure the antenna on the Tx is fully extended even for testing.
- Make sure both TX and Rx are compatible....even we regulars can forget what Rx goes with what Tx!
- Make sure both Tx and RX have fresh new batteries in them. If your using AA batteries in the truck for the Rx...they may not be giving enough power.
- Rebind the Rx to the Tx
- Make sure the servo connectors going into the Rx are in the right channels and the right way.
- Check servo wires, battery wires for kinks or rips. Any wires pinched when the electronics box is closed?
- Check with one servo plugged in at a time...if that works...try the other...if that works as well...try both. If they don't then its probably power supply insufficient.
- Last resort...change the servos to new ones.

Some things you can help us with are...
- Pics
- What batteries you are using on the tx and rx
- The radio system you will be using on the truck
- what servos you have there since you bought it used?

Servos can be a pain...and they will do these things from time to time. Some weeks ago, I cleaned out my Savage and checked everything...servos worked fine.
One day brought it down for a run...filled the tank...turned everything on...Throttle servo stopped working! Just like that...they will crap on you! It's the hobby and it's nature, especially with cars, trucks, buggies and even Heli's...they all have lots of moving parts that can contribute to so many endless issues, which calls for extra expenditure financially and physically, time and time again.

Hang in there and you will rectify it for sure!
 
i have done everything you have stated besides change batt. haven't messed with it today but i think I'm gonna take it to the hobby store
 
Well if you take in for repair , at that point you are letting them fix it and all your time diagnosing and frustration will be over, but then on the other hand so is your knowledge of the systems involved...... so in essence you are not getting the satisfaction of getting it fixed yourself.....

In my 30 or more years in the hobby I have never taken one to the hobby shop and paid them to fix it, I have taken one in and gotten a bit of help but I have always been the one to do the work and in the end have the satisfaction of fixing it myself....
 
I've never sent my RC's to the shop for set up or repairs....not to put you down Jamerson, but with some tinkering it is possible. Worse is if a shop you visit decides to charge an arm and a leg for a simple repair. Add that if you didn't but from them in the first place...sheesh!

Did you try another servo? Grab any servo if you have a spare one somewhere, unplug the truck servos and plug the spare test servo into the Rx. No need to mount it into the truck. Power up and see if that servo works as it should. Test both channels on the Rx with the test servo as well. If it works well couple of things can come to mind.

- The servos on the truck are junk and need to be replaced.
- There may be binding somewhere. Check if the steering connections from the wheel to the ackerman plate all move smoothly. The connecting rod as well and the balls in them. Check the throttle rods and springs as well as for smooth travel.
 
got the problem fixed guys thanks for all the help it was the servos. just my luck i guess that both went bad at the same time not sure just went and got 2 new ones. now my next question is it seems to be slipping going into second sometimes it goes right in the other times it revs up then kind of pops into second (when it pops it seems to be spinning alot more) would that be bc of to much wheel speed and it wont let it go into second or clutch or trans issue
 
Great job Jamerson!! It happens with servos. When they wanna go,..they will go.
As for the tuning, I'd start with the factory defaults. Which Savage do you have? Do a search on Google or even the HPI website, or check this Forum for the post that has the manuals. They will have the factory settings which you can use. Start from there. When tuning, it's vital to take your time and don't rush it wanting speed quickly.
Adjust in 1/8 small increments on the needles...drive around abit and tune again. Tuning won't have a difference just sitting there.
Also read up on the slipper clutch setting in the manual. You may as well remove the Spur gear and have a look at the slipper pad to see if it's still good or needs replacing.
Personally, when I get a used truck/buggy, I strip everything apart, clean, regrease and re assemble. This way I can check everything from plastic parts to screws for damage, warp, strips, etc and replace if needed. I then set the engine back to defaults and tune as if I just finished a break in period, running the engine slowly without anything over the top. God knows where and what the engine has been through in the past!! I also seal the engine with High Temp RTV especially good if it's a used engine. In the end the truck feels like new and it's as if I built it up knowing what works and what may cause issues. A new glow plug as well and even replace all the hoses. It takes awhile to do this but it reduces the troubleshooting process when something doesn't work well. Diagnostics are easier.

Keep the post coming in and let us know what youve tried. As long as your running rich and temps are reasonable you can't do any harm to the engine. A temp meter is a good thing to have...tho you should tune to performance and sound more than temps. Running on bumpy ground makes it harder to hear or ascertain a good tune. Find a flat surface....a car park works well.
 
thanks on the info it is freezing cold out now and snowing but i will get back to it as soon as the snow goes away. i think the tune is close but then it started to act up but the temp outside did change about 10-15 degrees from when i was playing wit to it started to act up
 
4.6 is a good engine! With the cold...yeah hard to get a tune. But I can't give any advice here as I live on the equator...lol!
Tuning for winter will be different then summer days. But it's a great time to do some tear down and clean up.

Keep us in touch! Post some pics so others can have a good look and offer more suggestions on how you can improve it.
 

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