One wheel spins freely?

LongDistanceRoomba · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

Hello to all my fellow Roomba lovers.

We bought our little guy in the Spring of last year, and have used him without problems, performing the usual cleaning. He was first with us in DC, and since has moved to my home in KY. Since I still work in DC, I miss the little guy but visit him often. Now he is sick :-( and I need advice.

Recently, he hasn't been run as often as he should have been, and we had to purchase a new battery. That went well. I decided to correct the forgetfulness of the person that is supposed to run him, I would buy the scheduler. (We have a model 4160). Our "son" was sent on his mission one day last week without problems. Then the scheduler was added, and since, he seems to do the CD. He turns a half circle, stops, turns another half circle, stops backs up and then the status light comes on.

A call to customer support had us check the wheels. One turns with some resistance and the other free wheels with no resistance. They said we need to purchase another unit, they could exchange it for $99. Odd to me that it worked fine before the scheduler.... any thoughts?

I think I am going to have him brought up to DC for a visit this week so I can see for myself. Thanks in advance for your help! :)

Gordon · Posted: June 8, 2008, 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: One wheel spins freely?

LongDistanceRoomba wrote: ...One turns with some resistance and the other free wheels with no resistance. ... Odd to me that it worked fine before the scheduler.... any thoughts?... There is no connection between the presence of the Scheduler and the older model.

There is some sort of mechanical failure in that easy to spin wheel assembly. A broken O-ring drive-belt can result in no powered wheel-drive, and make the wheel easier to manually turn.

In any event, the wheel-assembly must either be removed and replaced, or dismantled to determine what parts are needed to fix it. While reading your message, I was not getting any vibes of you being a DIY, electro-mechanical savvy person. If you agree with that impression, I suggest you contact Chris at www.roombaexhange.com and discuss your Roomba's symptoms. He can either sell you the necessary replacement parts, or install them for you.

OTOH, if you want to attempt the work yourself, you can get acquainted with the task by looking into appropriate section of the tear-down Gallery which Chris makes available to visitors.

RoombaHolic · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 98 Location: Mountain Center, CA

LongDistanceRoomba wrote: . . .
A call to customer support had us check the wheels. One turns with some resistance and the other free wheels with no resistance. They said we need to purchase another unit, they could exchange it for $99. Odd to me that it worked fine before the scheduler.... any thoughts?

Since the unit is out of warranty, you could try and run the self diagnostics to see if that will help determine the problem with your Roomba.

Check here to see how to run the built in diagnostics: http://mysite.verizon.net/gsplews/Diagnositic-Tests_Proc.v.0.5.htm

And here to see how to tear the unit down to inspect and/or repair: http://mysite.verizon.net/gsplews/Dis-asm_Re-asm_files/accssng_interior_0604xx.htm

LongDistanceRoomba · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks for the help, and the clarification that the scheduler did not have anything to do with the problem.

I am mechanically inclined and DIY on lots of projects. I would definitely attempt this fix. I will let you know what I find and my progress.

Thanks again!

Broadband Lab Rat · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Alabama

LongDistanceRoomba wrote: Thanks for the help, and the clarification that the scheduler did not have anything to do with the problem.

I am mechanically inclined and DIY on lots of projects. I would definitely attempt this fix. I will let you know what I find and my progress.

Thanks again!

You can buy a pair of replacement drive belts here for $3.50 shipped ...

http://www.neatnewstuff.com/o_rings/

LongDistanceRoomba · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

My many thanks to all who posted and especially Gordon. I followed your links to the RoomaExchange site, and followed the teardown instructions. I found that the planetary gears had failed. $15 later, and a bit of time, my boy has made his maiden voyage around the kitchen and headed his low battery self back to the charger!

Thanks again for all your help, keep the site going!

Many happy Roombas!

Ray

dermbrian · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 14

That's awesome work.

I've opened mine up twice now. Once, to replace U2 and U4 which probably were fine. The second time was today when my little guy had trouble getting started once I put a new cell pack into the battery case and he was all herky-jerky when I tried to use him, so I cleaned out all the dust inside parts I could see with the top cover off. Nothing appeared damaged, but those wires and harnesses and plastic parts aren't meant for frequent disassembly, IMHO.

I am so thankful to this site for the amazing amount of knowledge shared and to the suppliers of parts. It's not just that money's tight that prevents me from buying a new one at this point. It's great to save something from the landfill and have a chance to actually fix something that's broken.

Brian