My 3401 went nuts for a few minutes

[DetailDrivenEugene]

I purchased a 3401 a few months ago from AG. I have used it on 5 or 6 cars. Last weekend, I was using it on a Nissan leaf with severe water spotting.


1. Went to turn speed down to one to spread product out, and it stuck on.

2. Trigger or speed control had no effect, it was just on.

3. I finally unplugged it, then plugged it back in......... Still stuck on.

4. I waited a couple of minutes, then plugged it back in. It was back to normal, and finished the car with no further issues.


Is this something anyone else has experienced? Should I have it looked at while it is still under warranty? I have become quite dependant on this tool, and really don't want to be without it, but I am concerned this may happen again at some point.

B

[Mike Phillips]

1. Went to turn speed down to one to spread product out, and it stuck on.

2. Trigger or speed control had no effect, it was just on.

3. I finally unplugged it, then plugged it back in......... Still stuck on.

4. I waited a couple of minutes, then plugged it back in. It was back to normal, and finished the car with no further issues.

I've never seen nor heard or experienced this with any Flex tool.

Should I have it looked at while it is still under warranty?

I'd see if you can duplicate the issue. Why? Because that's what they will try to do if you send it in for evaluation. They will turn the tool on and according to the NOTE you send them describing the problem they will try to duplicate the problem.

So see if you can duplicate it first. Could just be a fluke, you know a random occurrence.

I have become quite dependent on this tool, and really don't want to be without it, but I am concerned this may happen again at some point.

B

If you detail cars for money and depend on this tool then at some point in the future invest in a second Flex 3401. This way if something does go wrong with one Flex you have a back-up and you can power through the job.

In my 3-day classes and at the 3401 class I teach at Mobile Tech as well as my how-to book for the Flex 3401 I recommend this same idea, that is have 2 polishers.


Maybe someone else on this forum has experienced this and will chime in.

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Have had my 3401 for over a year now have put some serious hours on it without issues.

I would take Mikes advice and look into a 2nd polisher. Main reason I have a 3401, Griots G21, GG 3in, Makita rotary and Flex PE8 Kompakt rotary.

[DetailDrivenEugene]

Thanks for the responses. I do have my trusty rotary if the flex acts up again. The flex used with Wolfgang products has become my go to for most jobs these days. Hopefully it was just a random, isolated incident.

As soon as I get a couple of other equipment purchases out of the way, a backup flex is on the list.

[wing commander]

Could the trigger lock have been pressed in by accident? And in your excitement you did not release it correctly?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Was it plugged directly into a wall socket? Or was there a generator, invertor, etc used?

Reason I ask is that I was told by Bob E. that I could damage the speed control just as you described by plugging the machine into an convertor going from 220v to 110v. Luckily on base over here I have access to the normal 110v outlets. But not off base.

[DetailDrivenEugene]

Trigger lock was not engaged. I visually confirmed the trigger going up and down multiple times before checking to see if speed setting made any difference.

The flex was plugged into a heavy duty 25 foot, grounded extension cord that was plugged into a standard wall socket.

[HateSwirls]

We've put a lot of ours on our Flex 3401 without any issues.
At times we run it all day without giving it a break, I just trade it off to one of my techs and let them use it when I'm tired but the Flex never ever slows down.
Like any tool however they can cause problems, even the best of them.