Mindboards

Okay, I was building a robot and a noticed one of my motors (an old one, from about 2006-07) had a little less torque than usual. I stalled when I tried to do a Clamp-N-Lift style mechanism. Furthermore, the motor started to smell burnt out! I immediatly removed the motor from the robot and began testing on it. When I put my ear up to the motor and let it stall, I noticed a whirring sound. I checked, and my two new motors (about 2008-09) didn't have the same noise. My question is: What is this? Is it serious? If my motor is broken, will Lego replace it?

There's a good chance Lego will replace it. Call them and see

- Xander

I don't know how long the warranty lasts on NXT motors, but you can call the LEGO MINDSTORMS Technical Support at 1-877-680-2800 within the US and Canada, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM-6:30PM EST. If you are outside of the US and Canada, you can email [email protected] for assistance.

Sounds like a "brush" burnt out. That is the most common failure in these type of motors that live a long life. Its just a very thin flat tinny piece that conducts the power to the armature. This is something I have been wondering my self since about 9 of 12 motors are about the same age. It will be sad day when i have to buy that many again. I figure they lasted this long and being treated very hard by me so, I'll not ask Lego for a replacement. Your milage may very and may very well be a Lego issue.

I have one motor now though that may have a rotation sensor issue. It would not stop rotating in my X2 projects but a spair does. It may just be a dirty plug, im to lazy to check it further for now, one day.

Lego it seems has been very good about replacing things, even of age. How old or long they do this ?hard to say. Most stuff eletric in nature if you get 30 days is about it. I have heard of Lego going well over a year before.

Doc: "My parts are getting as old as me"

doc222 wrote:Doc: "My parts are getting as old as me"

So you're a couple of years old? Or do you live in a wormhole?