Trilobite problems- error 4 and drive wheel gearbox

[C3P0]

Hi, new here and just became the proud owner of a sad little trilobite that has a few issues!
Firstly it moves a bit then flags up error 4. I've read a bit and it seems to be a power problem?
I took it apart to investigate the problem and found one real issue- one of the drive wheel gearboxes jams at one position of the wheels rotation. So I'm thinking that this jamming maybe causing the error.
Trouble is, the gearbox looks to be completely unserviceable
There are screws holding it together but they are behind the wheel. The wheel appears to be bonded to the drive shaft that comes out of the gearbox. The wheel has a brass hub to which it is riveted but even drilling the rivets would not free the wheel. I can't heat the hub much as the wheel looks like ABS and would melt (as would probably the gearbox housing and maybe gears inside) So my question is if anyone knows if it's possible to remove the wheel to service the gearbox, and/or (given that most likely a gear tooth has broken and jammed the mechanism) if it's possible to get a replacement gearbox/wheel unit anywhere?
I'd really like to get this little thing going- its obvious that Electrolux put a great deal of love and r&d into it and it's quite beautiful really- just a shame it's not working!
Mark

[eqwalker]

Mark,
I also had the error 4 on one of my Trilobites and actually disassembled it to see if there was an issue. None of my wheels were stuck or jammed. I could not find anything obviously wrong with it other than a lot of dust in the innards of it that the filter just doesn't prevent. It would just start up and make a turn and then quit. It sounded like it wasn't getting enough battery power so I took the batteries out of one of my other Trilobites and tried it but it did the same thing. I just wound up calling Electrolux and they had me send it in to their repair shop in Texas and they repaired it and sent it back to me. They did not list what they had to repair, but they also did not charge me for it either and it definitely wasn't under warranty. I applaud them and give them high marks for that. I guess they don't get that many Trilobites to work on.

[C3P0]

Hi Eqwalker,
that's amazing service from Electrolux US! How long ago did they fix it for you? I didn't think of ringing Electrolux as I'm not the first owner, but I will try that- I'm in England though.
When I first received the Trilobite I was getting the error 4 all the time and an occasional bumper error and also an occasional charging error. Since I first took it apart and put it back together all I got was the bumper error and charging errors. I checked the battery packs and one was charged (21V) but the other not at all (~3V!) So I swapped the connectors over and put it back on charge. A few battery errors later and an overnight charge and the charging finally completed. I checked the pack voltages again and sure enough they both read around 21V! So maybe there's a fault with one of the charging channels.
Anyway I no longer get the error 4 but my trilobite still doesn't work- though it feels like it's getting much closer- I made good progress today and the rest of the story is on the bumper error thread...
Mark

[eqwalker]

I guess it has been about 4 months ago when I had them repair it. Glad to hear you are getting closer to getting it to work.

[C3P0]

Thanks to the UK Trilobite specialist I now have a brand new gearbox/motor unit for my ZA1 (for a very reasonable price) and it is moving again In fact I was able to get quite a few good long cleaning cycles around my home and was very impressed (shocked!) by the amount of dirt it found
But it always failed with the fan motor doing strange things- speeding up and slowing down until eventually failing with an "error 4- service" message. Several times I was able to get it going again by lifting the bumper and re-seating the fan motor connector, but eventually it failed completely and the fan no longer spins at all.
I rang the specialist and he told me that it was common for the fan connector to get corroded and cause such an issue. He also confirmed that the error 4 is indeed a fan error- specifically that "a signal was sent to the fan but it did not respond" (paraphrasing). He also said that he had never seen a fan fail- it is a very high quality Papst unit.
So I took the fan out and tried everything I could to revive it... but it is dead as a dodo
I believe that it is the fan as I get zero continuity between the 2 thicker power wires. It's not the connector. It could still be something failed on the motherboard but I would expect to get some resistance reading on those wires but nothing. He's sending me a replacement fan to try so fingers crossed.

Another thing I noticed with some concern was that the actual fan blade casting was quite badly cracked like it could fly apart at any moment



Mark

[C3P0]

Just a quick update on my Trilobite error 4 message- I just fitted a brand new suction fan and now have a fully working trilobite (I think they should have called it the Trilobot though)
So for me the error 4 was a fan motor fault. The new one is much quieter than the old one (when it did work) so I'm extra happy!
Mark

PS I learnt a nice little tip from the UK service chap to make re-assembly of your Trilobite much easier. The drive wheel units suspension can be locked in the compressed position by pressing the spring loaded turrets down fully and turning them. This really helps when fitting the top body to the chassis and the wheels can be popped back into action by pressing the wheels fully up once the screws are back in place.

[Parker]

Congratulations on getting your Trilobite to work again. It sounds like you put a fair bit of effort in and I hope he'll keep your place clean in return.

Thanks for the tip about the springs, I found it quite a challenge to re-assemble and knowing this should make it easier in the future.

Cheers,
Parker

[C3P0]

Thanks Parker,
yes it's been a bit of a struggle- I bought it knowing it had the error 4 thing but it turned out to have bad bumper switches, a dead drive wheel AND a dodgy fan! Fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong for a while. At least the batteries seem quite good- I get about 40 mins cleaning on a charge which I think is pretty good.
I'm very pleased it's working now- I'm loving it and my flat has never been cleaner
Mark

[Greg Poland]

Hi All,
I just won with Error 4
Problem was Trilobite start working but in few moments start working as searching docking station.
I sent it to service in Poland and they suggested to change bateries (only 600 USD )
I said thanks and repaired acumulators with new accus welded together.
I used sensors and connectors of old bateries. now I have 3000 mAh (not 2200 mAh).
Then Trilo's fan worked faster and slower and in few minutes error 4 appered.
I supposed it is any problem with pressure measurement. I wanted even oreder new sensor.
First I cleaned rubber pipes and pressure sensor.
One pipe was too wide to connect, so I cut bad end and connect.
and success - Trilo works as new
Best regards, maybe my experience helps somebody.
Greg

[Parker]

Thanks for sharing the info Greg and congrats on getting your Trilobite up and running again.

How much did your new home-made batteries cost you in the end?

Parker

[Greg Poland]

Hi,

My batteries are not really home-made.
I ordered them in company which repairs batteries of different devices.
Set of 2 batteries was about 125 USD.

[piokrza]

Hi Greg, could you share with the pic of the pressure sensor? Is it just the one used to check when the dustbin is full? Thx in advance!

[meanmarv]

Anyone ever get a Error 18? I'm also looking for a way to obtain S1 or S2 tactile switches for my circuit board.

[vespaman]

Anyone ever get a Error 18? I'm also looking for a way to obtain S1 or S2 tactile switches for my circuit board.

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