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Sanwa M17 - Studdering Servos

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Old 04-14-2025 | 12:33 AM
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Default Sanwa M17 - Studdering Servos

Bought a used m17 and it causes all of my cars servos to studder intensely with left turn input.

I’ve had m17’s in the past and am familiar with binding and response modes.

I just tried another mt-5 tx on the same car, same rx and no studder.

Clean the steering pots? If that could be the problem, how do you perform this task?

I can’t imagine serpent America is doing any service on a TX that is well out of warranty?
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Old 04-14-2025 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by WALZ
Bought a used m17 and it causes all of my cars servos to studder intensely with left turn input.

I’ve had m17’s in the past and am familiar with binding and response modes.

I just tried another mt-5 tx on the same car, same rx and no studder.

Clean the steering pots? If that could be the problem, how do you perform this task?

I can’t imagine serpent America is doing any service on a TX that is well out of warranty?
Watch the screen when you turn left, does the bar graph showing position also stutter? If so, might need to replace the potentiometer.
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Old 04-14-2025 | 08:49 AM
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Double post

Last edited by WALZ; 04-14-2025 at 09:02 AM.
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Old 04-14-2025 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by gigaplex
Watch the screen when you turn left, does the bar graph showing position also stutter? If so, might need to replace the potentiometer.
thanks for the reply. Yes screen stutters. I took it apart. I am not finding parts outside of Europe. I’ll have to find someone more brave than me to solder on a circuit board I guess. Anybody reputable specialized in the stuff that I could send them the wheel Assembly?
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Old 04-14-2025 | 09:49 AM
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EMail Serpent America - I believe they will repair your steering board for around $60.

I cleaned the heck out of mine with CRC electronic spray cleaner and it has been working fine for about 6 months.

If it fails again, I bought a replacement pot from Mouser and I will find a local SMD skilled repair shop.
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Old 04-14-2025 | 10:13 AM
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Thanks so much for the insight! Serpent America did email back pretty quick. Can confirm, $60 and 1-2 week turn around time.

I’ll try that electronics cleaner first.
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Old 04-14-2025 | 03:52 PM
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New update, pulled steering potentiometer (and throttle for fun), blew it out with air in a can then some WD-40 and it’s working like a champ for the moment.
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Old 04-14-2025 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by WALZ
Thanks so much for the insight! Serpent America did email back pretty quick. Can confirm, $60 and 1-2 week turn around time.

I’ll try that electronics cleaner first.
Originally Posted by WALZ
New update, pulled steering potentiometer (and throttle for fun), blew it out with air in a can then some WD-40 and it’s working like a champ for the moment.
So no electronics Cleaner then, lol. WD-40 though??? I have had our MT44 serviced by Desoto, and they not only fixed the board but cleaned the radio and updated firmware.
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Old 04-15-2025 | 11:36 AM
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Sounds like a hardware issue with the steering pot, yeah. Cleaning might help if there’s dust or corrosion use contact cleaner (like DeoxIT) and gently spray into the pot while turning the wheel lock to lock.
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Old 04-15-2025 | 11:45 AM
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If that doesn’t help, you’re probably looking at a pot replacement. And yeah, Serpent America likely won’t service an out-of-warranty TX, but maybe try reaching out to Airtronics/Sanwa support directly or check RC forums for DIY replacements.
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Old 04-15-2025 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 1/8 IC Fan
So no electronics Cleaner then, lol. WD-40 though??? I have had our MT44 serviced by Desoto, and they not only fixed the board but cleaned the radio and updated firmware.
He likely means the WD-40 brand contact cleaner. I prefer it over the CRC as it's usually less expensive and has an integrated flip-out spray nozzle.

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Old 04-15-2025 | 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Ricrc
Sounds like a hardware issue with the steering pot, yeah. Cleaning might help if there’s dust or corrosion use contact cleaner (like DeoxIT) and gently spray into the pot while turning the wheel lock to lock.
Originally Posted by Ricrc
If that doesn’t help, you’re probably looking at a pot replacement. And yeah, Serpent America likely won’t service an out-of-warranty TX, but maybe try reaching out to Airtronics/Sanwa support directly or check RC forums for DIY replacements.
Literally 4 posts before yours, it says that Serpent replied to his email and said they would replace the pot for $60.

So yeah, Serpent likely will service an out of warranty TX.
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