Scooba dead on arrival - check tank fault

Ade_J · Post by **Ade_J** » September 26th, 2006, 7:42 am

I've finally got my hands on a Scooba (not so easy in the UK), put it together, charged it, filled it - and was all ready to test it on the kitchen floor, but when you press the clean button it will whir for about 10 seconds as though trying to pump and then the 'check tank' light comes on.

I'm using the clorox supplied, have rinsed both tanks thoroughly, made sure the battery is seated, filter clean, valve clean etc and tried with plain water as well - all to no avail..

Any suggestions for anything else to check or try before I send this back and start another 6 month ebay hunt..?

THX-1138 · Post by **THX-1138** » September 26th, 2006, 7:59 am

Welcome to RoombaReview.com Ade_J

Did you run the Scooba diagnostics on your unit? If so, could you provide where it passed and/or failed?

If you have not, check out the following sticky thread with the title:

READ FIRST! Roomba & Scooba FAQs and troubleshooting

Let us know what are your results. Keep us updated.

Msav · Post by **Msav** » September 26th, 2006, 8:17 am

As per irobot support. Strike the robot right above the charge port when it is doing its whirling sound. or find a straw and try and pour some of the solution throught the black little nipple under the tank. The pump is not priming. could just mean that you have an air lock in the tubing. Could be a bad pump but try these things first to make sure.

Mark

mmdpg · Post by **mmdpg** » September 26th, 2006, 9:35 am

This happens almost every time I start my Scooba. If you pop the tank latch then re-set the tank then hit the start button again it usually will get the pump to prime. You may need to re-set the tank a couple of times to get it to work. I also make sure once it starts that it really is putting down solution by wiping my hand across the floor and making sure it is wet.

Ade_J · Post by **Ade_J** » September 26th, 2006, 9:46 am

Thanks for the help guys.

I had tried blowing solution through a couple of times till I was red in the face and also tapping it to prime the pump with no joy. It failed tests 12 (i'm stuck) and 13 (check brush) not surprisingly but after playing with the valve spring with a sharp knife it's now buzzing round the floor leaving a snail trail so fingers crossed..

I have however now discovered that the clean tank leaks quite badly out of the rear seam if you hold it vertical as instructed - so I'm just not holding it vertical for now..!

THX-1138 · Post by **THX-1138** » September 26th, 2006, 11:08 am

Ade_J,

Great to know that your Scooba shows a sign of LIFE! I strongly suggest that you either re-seal the tank (many glues and sealers are available) and/or purchase a replacement tank if the leaking continues. Seems that the previous owner dropped the tank more than once.

Msav · Post by **Msav** » September 26th, 2006, 11:12 am

My first scooba was missing the little black rubber peice inside the tank in the upper right hand corner(looing at it upside down) was a manufacturing defect. took it back to the store and got a new one.

Mark

Ade_J · Post by **Ade_J** » September 26th, 2006, 11:29 am

Yeah that's easier said than done in the UK - this was a brand new one but imported in..

puppymom · Post by **puppymom** » September 27th, 2006, 9:11 pm

Mine did this too. Followed the steps in the user manual. The one that worked was putting water in the clean and dirty tanks, shaking and draining. Has worked beautifully since. Good luck!

radiohead64 · Post by **radiohead64** » September 28th, 2006, 5:32 am

Hi Ade_J can you tell me what kind of plug or adator you used to charge it as I've bought on on ebay and can't get it to take a charge. thanks

Ade_J · Post by **Ade_J** » September 29th, 2006, 5:56 am

It's a Coby CA-55R step down converter that came with it - however be warned that this thing got so hot the casing has melted and the coil is now exposed so it will be going back!!

radiohead64 · Post by **radiohead64** » September 29th, 2006, 9:14 am

Hi, I've got a 100w converter and everytime I try to charge it the green light pulses for a bit then goes out and the power button stayed out when pressed. I then just use an adaptor as there obviously wasn't anything going in the battery and the same thing happens, green light pulses for a bit then goes off, but at least the power button lights up red when pushed, so I assume that something getting through to the battery that way. Don't know if it's a scooba problem or battery problem.

I've contacted irobot and they suggested contact domotec the uk distributor, but havn't had a reply from them yet.

radiohead64 · Post by **radiohead64** » September 29th, 2006, 10:55 am

Okay, now I've blown it, literally. It was suggested to me that maybe it was still charging even though the green pulsing light went out on the scooba, so I left it on for 20 mins and heard a noise and the green light on the power supply unit has went out, so now there are no lights at all on either. When I push the power button it show red and plays 4 notes? any suggestions would be welcome.