Problem

my RC car has a problem, it has been sitting in the box for about 6-12 months (when the problem started).

it runs very twitchy, when i steer, it wont go full lock, but it will twitch back and forth and then go full lock, while twitching still.

when i go forward, it will kick the engine in at full power, on and off, no matter how lightly i press the accelerator.

reverse is the strangest, i will press it, and it will go forward at full throttle for about a second, then backwards at full throttle, then forwards again.

and it simply refuses to steer the wheels and move at the same time.

i put fresh batteries in the transmitter, and charged the main battery, but they made no difference.

it's a Tamiya QD (quick drive) that came ready to run. and it's electric.

any ideas?

Check your ESC. Lot of times little minor things with the ESC (neutral not set right,etc) can cause minor problems with other electronic parts. Its a quick and easy fix usually.

OK, but i have a couple of questions.

what is an ESC?
How would i check it?

i'm not too heavily into RC so i dont know much.

Electronic Speed Control
Refer to owners manual, each ESC is different.

You may also want to check the crystals in your radio and receiver. Make sure they're in completely. Also, if your crystals are loose you may want to mimimize the amount of play by placing a piece of tape over it. Your best bet would be to try a different set, if you have (or could borrow) one. Just make sure they're a correct set for your radio (AM 27mhz, I think).

OK, i read the book that came with it, no mention of an ESC.

then i opened the transmitter up, and didn't see any crystals.


so, does anybody know what i could do?


sorry for the stupid questions, at least this will help other newbs when they do a search.

I thought you might have had TL or TT, but I reread. The Tamiya QD's are more like toy grade RC's and are not built as well, and as complex as hobby grade RC's. I'm not sure if it can be fixed.

OK then, thanks mike.

Are there any wires cut or expossed.

OK, i read the book that came with it, no mention of an ESC.

then i opened the transmitter up, and didn't see any crystals.


so, does anybody know what i could do?


sorry for the stupid questions, at least this will help other newbs when they do a search.

You do not have to open the transmitter to get to the crystal. Look on your radio for a colored tag, usually with a number ( and frequency) on it. It may look something like this:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX0803**&P=7

esc adjustment is one of the many things i hated about electric cars. it seems like the vibration on the car cuz it to go out of spec sometimes. i only had novak esc for a short time and sold the car, but my futaba esc gave me a headache, plus my AM transmitter. now i have a gas car and FM transmitter, i just refuel and go.