What part do I need to fix my roomba?

mrdaniel76 · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I need to know what part I need in order to fix my Roomba Scheduler w/Intellibin.

The brushes no longer turn when the roomba is in use. You can see/hear that they are trying really hard to run and every now and then they give a 1/4 turn - like something is holding them.

I ran through the diagnostic procedure #11 and the brushes turn but the minimum effort makes them stop. Very similar to when in use and the brush is in contact with carpet.

I made a quick video that shows the problem when running in diagnostic mode so it may help you determine the problem.

What do you think the problem is and which part should I get to fix it?

Thanks a lot!

fancyfreewv · Posted: June 14, 2008, 8:48 pm Post subject:

It sounds like the gears are dirty or the motor is sluggish. Have you tried running it without the brushes and bin it?

If you have not opened it and cleaned out the gearbox and around the motor shaft that could be all that's wrong. At least it's a place to start.

bakablah · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 17

it sounds like the brush cogs are dead, replace them and give the inside a clean and you shall be fine.

mrdaniel76 · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Nancy.... It runs without the brushes, it even run with the brushes but the minor contact makes them stop. Not sure if you had a chance to look at my video but it shows that. I opened it as far as you see in the video and cleaned everything. I am not sure if I need take a part further. Any idea?

bakablah....Where do I find these brush cogs you are talking about?

I looked in the roomba exchange website and they don't list it like that:
http://www.roombaexchange.com/products.php?cat=12

Thanks!

fancyfreewv · Posted: June 15, 2008, 7:14 am Post subject:

Watching the video it seems to me (I'm no mechanic on the 4xxx series for sure) that the motor is running but possibly the gear at the end of the motor shaft has a problem. You might want to look at this pic of a 5xx gearbox and read the forum thread text about it. This is an extreme example of one that's never been taken apart.

http://www.roombareview.com/chat/viewtopic.php?t=9465

Cleaning the gearbox might help this or you may have worn gears inside there. http://www.roombareview.com/chat/viewtopic.php?t=3029&start=0

I have a procedure for the 5xx series on the wiki but you'll have to search for a better version to take apart your 4xxx. Inside the box, much the same issue will be found and dirt can be cleaned out.

www.roombareview.com/wiki/cleaning

At the bottom of that page is a guy with a 570 who didn't clean it. His claims of a few days are bogus unless he lives in a pigstye.

With the 5xx series, Vic7767 has done a very nice ball bearing mod to keep the dirt and hair out of this area. In the 4xxx series, most people shimmed the gears with thin metal to avoid it.

ProTech Robotics · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1289 Location: Florida USA

mrdaniel76, based on the video the brush motor gearbox has failed. In the video the motor is running but the shaft that exits the gearbox is stalled. Without opening the gearbox to locate which if the 3 gears has failed then the part that is needed is the Brush Motor Gearbox assembly http://www.roombaexchange.com/proddetail.php?prod=29450
If you extract the motor and open the gearbox you may find that one or both of the Spur gears has failed http://www.roombaexchange.com/proddetail.php?prod=23895

The shafts that hold the gears can also be heated and shift alignment when a gear fails so it is best to replace the whole assembly.

mrdaniel76 · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Thanks everyone. I opened the brush motor gearbox and found out that one spur gear and the drive gear are damaged.

I am ordering them from roombaexchange and hopefully will get my roomba back on track. :D