i'm sick of this.. need help

[FenderdudeRRT]

jeez Xmods are always gettin problems. Sometimes i think that all the stress and money isnt worth it..... but when they do work they're just soooo darn COOL!!!!

Mine has done the same thing since day one. not 5 feet but maybe 15 feet. It gets choppy response until it's right next to me, then gets choppy response again as it passes by. I can't even get up to top speed with the S2 12T motor. I'm thinking of making a really long pigtail coil antenna for the car.

I'm thinking it's the receiver. Your probably fried it if you touched the screwdriver to it when the car was on. I did that and then it just crapped out on me.

[newbitowner]

okay i just exchanged my Xmod for a new one because my old one fried and had numerous problems. including shortend range (about 5 feet)

I exchanged my first car for the same reason. I got got a "new" RSX and the rear wasn't assembled as well as my first car, a Skyline.

I thought about exhanging it agin, but it's only been 24hrs or so.

[spitty12]

If you have any battery wires or wires with power in them touch the antenna it will short out the receiver causing very short range. If you do the 5/6 cell mod make sure that no wires are exposed and cover anything exposed with shrink tubing or electrical tape.

Sorry to hear about your problem. I used to work for Rasdioshack and had quite a few returns. What is most likely your problem (which I have found in many of the cars) is cold solder joints in the TX control unit. This causes reduced range, stutter effect on RX unit in car, and a couple of other problems. Even with my electronics background cold solder joints can ruin the operation of anything. Just open up the TX unit, (remember to pull out the battery and turn it off) then use a 15W soldering iron, 60/40 solder and touch up the joints. Also beware of creating solder bridges. Will make the controller not work. When you are finish use a little automotive ball bearing grease on the throttle and accelerator (and the circuit board where it touches) to get rid of the squeaking.

Hope that helps
Codedat

To spot a cold solder joint just look at the solder points on the PCB. If the solder on the joints look white, or has a crusty look then it is a cold solder joint. It happens when there is not enough heat applied to the joint and the solder. (Basic soldering 101.) Good solder points have a silvery look to them. Oh yes I have taken apart quite a few TX units.

[bgniko]

so if i did touch some wires, which is likely, how can i fix. this range sucks........thanks

so if i did touch some wires, which is likely, how can i fix. this range sucks........thanks

You can try to touch up any solder joint just by reapplying heat and some new solder. If you have solder bridges remove them. For beginners to soldering use a low wattage iron will make it easier for you. Be sure not to heat it to much the circuit traces might come unglued.

If you are not sure I have some links for basic soldering

http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm

http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderpix.htm

BTW:
I may have discover a way to increase range but not sure yet. Need a little more time to test. Will post if I find something out

[bgniko]

thanks for the tips but i think i fried my reciever in the car. do i have to buy a new whatever i fried? or what..... i checked all my welds and there all good still shrt range it is very likey i touched some wire to cause a short. so just looking what to do now? thanks

If you buy a new one it's only about 8 bucks check out Cj's post on RS Parts.
Cj's Post on RS Parts

[spitty12]

These are like my 28 year old British car. So damn cool when they are working 100% but you gotta work on them all the time.