Diagnosing no-resistance NordicTrack recumbent bike plus a cheap “fix”

[@MrSnotBubbles]

Wow! This actually worked for me. Thanks to you, we can continue to use our bike instead of trashing it.

[@tomhanson2611]

The disassembly information was very useful, thank you. The motor on my stationary bike also worked fine (blue and yellow wires) when I tested it with a bench 5V DC power supply but the feedback potentiometer (red, black, and white wires) in the motor assembly had failed. I monitored the feedback potentiometer output (white wire to black or red wire) as the motor moved and the signal was erratic and intermittent. It was necessary to replace the motor assembly. In my case, part number 241949.

[@xeostube]

It's conceivable that the potentiometer just needed to be cleaned, as what you describe sounds like a dirty wiper. Often can be hard to disassemble enough to clean AND still he able to put back together fully tho :-(

[@tomhanson2611]

@xeostube I believe that too. A good cleaning may have resolved this but, as you probably know, this motor assembly was not made to be serviced. I would have to disassemble the little gear box to get the potentiometer out (a lot of gears). The newer models, the one I received, looks like that would be easier to do based on how the potentiometer is installed. The older one was attached with an internal collar nut and not so easy and probably a 50/50 chance of resolving it. I'm back to good operation with the new motor assembly. OBTW, the motor is more like $70 now with inflation.

[@LawrenceSouthernIII]

Thanks for the tip. I was able to easily tap into wires near computer console and added 3 v battery box. 1.50$ investment to fix.

[@xeostube]

good point, you don't need to go as deep inside as I do here.

[@peterofoz]

How does the iron flywheel freewheel when not pedaling? Is there a kind of clutch that engages when you pedal and disengages when not? It has be something on the shaft connecting the drive pully to the flywheel.

[@xeostube]

@@peterofoz yes there's a clutch bearing. Another possible failure point; if this dies it's usually in freewheel position.

[@lindseyblanchette1113]

the resistance motor rotated in two different directions. how would you use the batteries differently to either up the resistance or down the resistance?

[@xeostube]

@@lindseyblanchette1113 the polarity of the battery selects the direction the motor turns. Ie which wire goes to plus and minus.

[@revent42]

Where do I plug in the power cord for my panel???

[@xeostube]

As you can see I don't actually have the panel so I don't really remember but I think it's at the bottom of the entire unit near the front

[@revent42]

@@xeostube I tried to log on to some kind of website that wanted to chart me $70.00 for a one year subscription to give you advice on how to diagnose your unit. 🙄🙄🙄

[@AbdelatifGOUISMI]

C'est possible la vidéo en français svp

[@loricone3184]

Hi, like a real bonehead I plugged in the wrong power cord and my machine will not power up. Any idea what I fried?

[@xeostube]

The console, most likely. Motor in this video only gets power when you try to change resistance.

[@BS-my2ky]

Nice! So the voltage is 3V between the teal and blue? What is the ground black wire is for?

[@xeostube]

There's also a potentiometer in the assembly for sensing where the motor is, presumably it's use as part of that circuit.

[@paulkazjack]

How long before the console broke then?

[@xeostube]

It was donated to me because of the broken console, so no idea

[@paulkazjack]

@@xeostube ok.

[@adrianv144]

Mine has too much 😳

[@xeostube]

Should be equally fixable with the same method unless it's dragging.