Skull car losing power.

[Kal El]

My Anki Overdrive set is new (since December.)  I have the two stock cars, Ground Shock, and Skull.  I also have another car, Nuke.  They were all running fine for the first few days of racing.  But, I'm noticing that Skull is now lagging.  I have a very basic overpass (using the starter kit), and when the cars do a track scan, skull cannot make it up the slight incline for the overpass.  When actually racing (and skull has more speed to it), it does better, but sometimes it still can't make it up the incline.  Again, this is one of the stock over/under layouts.  And yes, this happens to Skull on a full charge.  And it happens no matter how much I clean the wheels with the wheel-cleaning pad.  And the track is clean.  (And, again, this only affects Skull.  The other two cars are fine.)  I should also mention that I'm not controlling Skull.  It is one of the computer-controlled cars.  What could be going on with it?  And, what I can I do about it?  Thanks!  --Kal

[Sharon Rylander (ANKI)]

That sounds like a classic case of a hair strand getting caught around the axle, based on the excellent trouble-shooting you've already done. However, if that doesn't appear to be the case, our Customer Care team will be able to help: support.anki.com.

Thanks for your post!

[Kal El]

Thanks Sharon.  I'll check out the wheels/axles to see if something is in there.  Can the wheels be popped off the axle for easier observation?  If so, how?

[Sharon Rylander (ANKI)]

Can the wheels be popped off the axle for easier observation? 

Unfortunately, no (choking hazard). We've found the best tool to be a pair of tweezers--hopefully that will work for you! 

 

[Kal El]

OK, I'll give it a try and report back.

[Kal El]

Well, nothing in the wheels or axles, so, I've initiated a return with ANKI support.  I will need to provide them proof of purchase, an ID # off the car, and a video showing how the car is failing.

[Akos Bartal]

Hi Kal,

I am facing the same issue but I have some workaround if I may advice. Before scanning I place the cars at different parts on the track (I usually put Skull after the bridges or bend curves). Scanning is faster and when a full scan is complete the cars will go a bit faster and Skull will be able to finish perfectly.

No real solution but works for us. :)

Cheers,

Akos

[Kal El]

Hi Akos!  Thanks for the advice.  I had been doing that too, and Skull just has problems at the beginning of that hill.  I even took video of it having these issues and sent it to ANKI.  My other cars have had zero problems hitting the same hill.  (And remember, it's the low hill part of the overpass for one of the basic track layouts.   Doesn't matter where I put Skull, I get the same results.  Akos, since you had the same issue, was it only with Skull like in my case?  (I have Skull, Ground Shock, and Nuke.  No problems with Ground Shock and Nuke.)

[Kal El]

So, because Skull kept failing, I contact ANKI support, provided them my proof-of-purchase info and a video of several instances of Skull failing (and the other two cars working fine.)  I just received today the replacement Skull car.  And guess what?  First time out, and fully charged, it couldn't make it up the hill during the scan several times.  My other cars were fine.  I'm starting to think this is something in software.  Maybe in the car?    This is happening with two Skulls.   Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Akos Bartal]

Hey Kal,

I have all 6 cars but only Skull has this issue. I believe you are right when you are suspecting a software problem.

[Kal El]

Glad to know it's not just me, Akos!  Sharon, can you pass this )including Akos's confirmation) along to tech support?  I'll be sending back my original Skull car (as you know, I've received the replacement), once we get the cleanup from the East Coast Blizzard out of the way.  Thanks!

[Sharon Rylander (ANKI)]

Thanks for the add'l info guys, we're checking into it. We just don't have any other tangible examples, so we'll be able to investigate much more quickly once we get the car in hand. ...but totally understand about the storms--stay safe & warm!!

[Hodg]

My son is also experiencing this issue with only the Skull car.  Has there been any resolution to this?

[J Tracey]

Just landed on this thread.  We have the same issue with our Skull car. Purchased Overdrive kit in Dec 2016 direct from Anki. Same issue with skull not being able to go up ramp incline and drives off track.  Purchased another car while I figure out how to resolve with Anki.

[Hodg]

They were good about giving me a replacement car but then we started having the same issue with other cars. What we now do is get pliers and pull the rear wheels off and clean the hair carpet,etc off the shaft. Then press it back on. We are careful not to damage the wheel.

[Hong Tai Lee]

Hodg, I'm really curious as to how you removed the wheels and put them back on.  We've tried our best to always vacuum, swiffer, and even built barriers around the track.  However, from just plain play with my wife her hair drops and out of a good 150 laps or so, a hair would get stuck.  Sadly, 1 in 5 hairs would get tangled into the rear axle and we'd have to literally just trim off the ends (or it breaks from attempts with tweezers and needles to pull it out).

I may be trying to be too careful, but I've got a plan:

1.) Take off top of Anki Overdrive Car

2.) Use pliers with soft touch teeth / grip to pull off rear wheels - clean accordingly or lube accordingly.

3.) Pop out motors then push rear wheels carefully back on to ensure we don't damage the motor shafts.

4.) Re-assemble

Does that sounds relatively close to how you're removing the rear wheels?  Looking forward to hearing back since I think we're collecting enough hair in it to start experiencing some performance issues.  Thanks!

Best Regards,

Hong Tai Lee

[Hodg]

Hong Tai Lee,
The wheels are just a press fit in the shaft. The best method is using the pliers to pry against the chassis of the car. I probably would not lubricate the wheel since it's a press fit and that may cause the wheel to spin on the shaft. Also, some lubricants can damage plastic.

Good luck.

[Hong Tai Lee]

Hi Hodg!

Thank you for taking the time to confirm this!  Yes! Thank you for the precautions and confirming that it's a press fit!  I was actually thinking of lubricating the gears inside, but yes, you are very correct about how plastic is very sensitive to particular lubricants and I just remembered how it could also disrupt the motor if I use the wrong type.  Will be avoiding lubricants!

Happy Overdriving!  

[Stephan Gwinner]

I have the same problems here with big bang.
Already changes big bang at the store, but same problem, go a few arounds... then big bang powers off.
I can start it again, drive a again a few rounds.
It‘s not a battery problem i can do again and again etc...

[Luca De Nardis]

Hi Hodg, 

I have a similar problem as the OP with a Skull car going quite slow: I cleaned up anything I could, removing the three screws and using compressed air, pliers and small pins to clean the axles, but while the front wheels clean up nicely, I could not clean the rear axles. So I am considering pulling them apart as you did, but I just want to be sure I understood you well before I try and break something ;)

So you were able to remove rear wheels from the axle just by pulling? I gave a timid try, but it looked quite solid...

Thanks,

Luca

[Hodg]

Hi Luca,
Yes, sounds like you need to pull harder. I used players to pry them off as described above.

[Luca De Nardis]

Hi Hodg,

thanks! I'll give it a try...
Bye,

Luca

[Jeremy Mabee]

Hello guys, I am having the same problem with the skull car. Everything was brand new today. I just opened the kit this afternoon. All the other cars work fine except the skull car. Every time I line up the cars on the starting line and scan the track, all of the cars accelerate as they approach the ramp and then successfully jump onto the next track. The skull car will not. I have been messing around with this car more than I've played with the kit lol. I contacted Anki and am still waiting to hear back. I took a lot of your guys advice and nothing seems to work. This is my favorite car too! Just my luck lol.