User Manual

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T-MAXX 3.3 OWNERS MANUAL
The following section addresses some very basic engine and radio
questions you may have about your T-Maxx 3.3. Most questions arise
from simple user errors or minor adjustments that are easy to correct.
If you can’t find a solution for your T-Maxx 3.3 here, then visit our Web
site at www.Traxxas.com/support. There you will find a much more
extensive and detailed online troubleshooting area. In addition, you
may call Traxxas Customer Service at 1-888-TRAXXAS (outside the U.S.
call 972-265-8000).
Radio system does not work properly:
• If the power light on the transmitter does not come on, check for
proper battery installation and that the batteries are new and/or fully
charged. If the power light is blinking, then the transmitter batteries
are weak and should be replaced. See page 8 for more details.
• If the transmitter light is on but the radio is still not responding,
check for proper installation of the receiver batteries and that the
batteries are new and/or fully charged. Check to make sure the on/
off switch on the model is in the on position. Finally, if there is still
no response check the red and black wires that connect the battery
pack to the “batt” terminal on the receiver (you will have to remove
the receiver cover). Make sure the wires are not pinched or damaged
and that the plug is secure in the receiver. See page 8 for more
details.
Short radio range:
• If the radio range appears short, then first check to make sure the
transmitter antenna is fully vertical and that the antenna in the
T-Maxx 3.3 is in place and has not been cut or damaged. Next, make
sure the batteries are all fresh or fully charged. Finally, if you are still
experiencing short range, try a different location. Sometimes there
can be interference from various sources that can cause your radio
to malfunction.
Engine will not spin (EZ-Start will not turn the engine):
• If neither LED on the controller lights, the EZ-Start battery could
be discharged or improperly connected. Inspect and recharge if
necessary.
• If the glow plug LED lights and the motor LED does not, then the
EZ-Start controller is in protection mode. Allow the controller to cool
for at least three minutes. The circuitry should automatically reset.
• Check to make sure the wires are connected to the EZ-Start motor
in the T-Maxx 3.3. The red wire should connect to the positive motor
terminal, indicated by a red dot next to the terminal.
• The engine could be flooded. If too much fuel accumulates in the
combustion chamber at start up, the engine will hydraulically lock.
Follow the procedure on page 29 for clearing a flooded engine.
• Check for binding at the engine flywheel. If you are not able to
turn the engine by hand, the engine could be flooded, there could
be binding in the clutch system, or there could be internal engine
damage. (Note: It is normal for the engine to be extremely tight and
hard to turn when the piston reaches the top of the compression
stroke.)
Engine extremely sluggish, hard to start, and will not idle during
tank 1 of the break in:
• It is possible that the factory adjusted break-in settings on your
carburetor are too rich for your geographic location, atmospheric
conditions, or fuel brand. Extremes in temperature, humidity,
barometric pressure, and altitude can’t always be accounted for
with a single high-speed needle setting. The symptoms described
above can occur when the air density is very low such as in high
mountainous elevations, and extremely cold temperatures. Under
these conditions, lean the fuel mixture slightly, 1/8 turn, to see if
there is any improvement in starting and idling. Only lean the fuel
mixture just until the engine will run and idle reliably and then
proceed with the break in.
• The contents of different brands of fuel (other than Traxxas Top Fuel)
in combination with extreme atmospheric conditions can also make
the factory preset break-in settings too rich and cause the symptoms
described above. Again, try leaning the fuel mixture slightly, 1/8 turn,
to see if there is any improvement in starting and idling.
Engine spins but will not start:
• If the engine is spinning but will not start, first check to make sure
that both the motor and glow plug LEDs on the EZ-Start controller
light when the button is depressed. If the glow plug LED does not
light, make sure the blue glow plug wire is tightly connected and is
not damaged in any way. If the wire is good, then replace the glow
plug. It is normal for glow plugs to require periodic replacement.
Only use Traxxas heavy-duty long glow plugs (see your parts list).
• Check to make sure the fuel is getting to the carburetor. Remove the
fuel line where it connects to the carburetor to see if there is fuel in
it. If not, you may need to prime the engine. Reconnect the fuel line
and then refer to page 18 for instructions on priming the engine.
• Check your fuel mixture settings. It may be necessary to adjust the
fuel mixture if the outside temperature or barometric pressure has
changed significantly since the last time the engine was run (see Fine
Tuning the Carburetor on page 21). Turn the high-speed needle out
(rich/counterclockwise) 1/4 turn, hold the throttle trigger at about
1/2 throttle and try again to start the engine. Once started, retune
the engine for performance (see page 20).
• The engine could be worn. If the fit between the piston and sleeve
is loose, compression is reduced and the engine will be difficult to
start when it is warm, and may tend to stall when running and when
the throttle is closed suddenly to idle. Engine life depends on many
factors including fuel type, air filter maintenance, needle settings,
and how the engine was used. For example, if the engine was
allowed to ingest dirt from lack of air filter maintenance or running
through water, then the internal engine components could wear out
extremely fast.
• Glow plug may have failed. If using an EZ-Start, check to see if the
glow plug light is on during starting. If not, replace the glow plug. If
using a glow ignitor, remove and check the glow plug.
Engine performance sluggish:
• Engine performance depends mostly on the fuel mixture settings
and how they compensate for the current atmospheric conditions.
Before you suspect other failures with the engine, richen the high-
speed needle at least 1/4 turn and then retune the engine for
performance (see page 20).
• If the fuel mixture seems to be set correctly, make sure the fuel is
fresh. If the fuel is old, or was left uncapped for a long period, then
some of the important fuel components could have evaporated. Try
new, fresh, Traxxas Top Fuel.
• Try a new Traxxas glow plug. Sometimes a glow plug will work well
enough to start the engine but not be able to deliver the engine’s
full performance potential.
• Check to make sure there is no binding in the driveline that would
cause excessive loads on the engine.
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR T-MAXX 3.3