20 Most Recent Precor EFX 546i Elliptical Version 4 - Page 3 Questions & Answers

Inspect the ramp that the wheels travel on. If its pocked up or worn then it will cause the unit to feel like its grinding when in use.

The battery is usually located at the back of the machine towards the top -- there may be a circuit board on top of the battery. And the second link listed below is a technical bulletin for certain models to help prevent damage to the battery during installation. This link will take you to the 546i models and parts list. You can also find a parts diagram but you will need to match your serial numbers to the ones listed so you can pull up the correct diagram: Repair Parts for Precor EFX 546i Ellipticals SPORTSMITH net http://www.sportsmith.net/images/Pick_Docs%5Cp0645969101-BatteryInstallationWarning.pdf

The battery is usually located at the back of the machine towards the top -- there may be a circuit board on top of the battery. And the second link listed below is a technical bulletin for certain models to help prevent damage to the battery during installation. This link will take you to the 546i models and parts list. You can also find a parts diagram but you will need to match your serial numbers to the ones listed so you can pull up the correct diagram: Repair Parts for Precor EFX 546i Ellipticals SPORTSMITH net http://www.sportsmith.net/images/Pick_Docs%5Cp0645969101-BatteryInstallationWarning.pdf

hi There , Take off the covers and check the bolts .They do come loose.

It could be the input drive bearings going out. I would suggest removing the back side covers of the unit and inspecting the drive assembly when its in use. Watch for deviations in the the circular motion of the crank arms. If it moves side to side or drops in the rotation its time to have the input replaced.

Precor Error 05, Key Depressed at Power Up Probable Cause 1. A key is permanently depressed on the display. 2. An interface chip (IC) has failed in the upper PCA's keypad. 3. Liquid (cleaning solution or sweat) may be on the surface of a touch sensitive display. Corrective Action

1. Disconnect the keypad cable from the upper PCA. Reset power to the machine. If the Error 05 is eliminated, the keypad is the cause and should be replaced.
2. Disconnect the keypad cable from the upper PCA. Reset power to the machine. If the Error 05 still appears, the upper PCA* is the cause and should be replaced. *Upper PCA's most commonly do not come with software. Remove the software (chip) from the existing upper PCA prior to replacement and install into the new upper PCA.
3. Wipe away all liquid from the touch sensitive display. Reset power to the unit. If the Error 05 is eliminated, the liquid was the cause.

Precor Error Code 05

Precor Error 05, Key Depressed at Power Up Probable Cause 1. A key is permanently depressed on the display. 2. An interface chip (IC) has failed in the upper PCA's keypad. 3. Liquid (cleaning solution or sweat) may be on the surface of a touch sensitive display. Corrective Action

1. Disconnect the keypad cable from the upper PCA. Reset power to the machine. If the Error 05 is eliminated, the keypad is the cause and should be replaced.
2. Disconnect the keypad cable from the upper PCA. Reset power to the machine. If the Error 05 still appears, the upper PCA* is the cause and should be replaced. *Upper PCA's most commonly do not come with software. Remove the software (chip) from the existing upper PCA prior to replacement and install into the new upper PCA.
3. Wipe away all liquid from the touch sensitive display. Reset power to the unit. If the Error 05 is eliminated, the liquid was the cause.

Precor Error 40, No Lift Motion Detected Probable Cause 1. Blown lift fuse in lower PCA. 2. Lift motor is physically jammed and not able to move. 3. Bad lower PCA. 4. Bad lift capacitor. 5. Bad lift motor winding. 6. Bad interconnect cable between upper and lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Check the lift fuse from the lower PCA. Using an ohmmeter, the fuse should measure 1 ohm or less. If the reading is significantly high, replace the fuse. If the fuse is open, refer to steps 3 and 4 before continuing.
2. Disconnect the lift motor from the ramp (elliptical) or lift platform (treadmill). If the lift nut or lift tube is jammed against the motor housing, turn the lift tube or lift nut away from the motor housing. If the lift was jammed, refer to step 3 before continuing. Calibrate the lift motor per the proper procedure for the unit being serviced and reattach the lift motor to the ramp (elliptical) or lift platform (treadmill). NOTICE: You must find and repair the cause for the jammed lift. Only re-calibrating the lift motor will not solve the problem.
3. One of two modes can cause the lower PCA to fail. The lift switch could fail in an operated condition. If this happens the lift will move (either up or down) as soon as the unit powers up. The usual result is that the lift will be physically jammed as explained above, and probably also being cause for the lift fuse to blow. The lift switch could also fail in an open condition. If this happened, the lift would not operate in one direction. If either of these conditions occur the lower PCA needs replaced.
4. Most units have the lift capacitor mounted inside the lift motor, and others use external lift capacitors. This information applies to units with the external lift capacitors. If the lift capacitor is shorted the lift fuse blows. Check the capacitor for a short using an ohm meter. Disconnect the capacitor from the lift motor and test. A good capacitor reads in the millions of ohms. Replace the capacitor if the reading is significantly low. Capacitor can also fail in the open condition which would result with the lift motor trying to run but not having normal power. Test the capacitor by measuring AC voltage across it. A good capacitor will read AC peak voltage while an open capacitor reads AC RMS voltage.
5. When a lift motor winding is bad the lift will not operate in one or both directions depending upon the exact fault in the motor. Check the lift motor winding with an ohm meter. AC lift motors have a split winding (3 wires) and DC lift motors will have a single winding. Both windings must be checked on an AC lift motor. Normal winding readings could vary anywhere between 1 and 60 ohms, depending on the lift motor being tested. See the proper service manual for the motor being tested.
6. Test unit with a known good interconnect cable. Replace the interconnect cable if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 40

Using the following link, you can find information on troubleshooting the overlay and upper PCA, starting on page 23 of the service manual. http://www.sportsmith.net/images/product_support%5Cprecor%5CService%20Manuals%5CCommercial%20EFX%5CService%20Manual,%20C546i%20Self%20Powered%20EFX.pdf

Precor Error 40, No Lift Motion Detected Probable Cause 1. Blown lift fuse in lower PCA. 2. Lift motor is physically jammed and not able to move. 3. Bad lower PCA. 4. Bad lift capacitor. 5. Bad lift motor winding. 6. Bad interconnect cable between upper and lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Check the lift fuse from the lower PCA. Using an ohmmeter, the fuse should measure 1 ohm or less. If the reading is significantly high, replace the fuse. If the fuse is open, refer to steps 3 and 4 before continuing.
2. Disconnect the lift motor from the ramp (elliptical) or lift platform (treadmill). If the lift nut or lift tube is jammed against the motor housing, turn the lift tube or lift nut away from the motor housing. If the lift was jammed, refer to step 3 before continuing. Calibrate the lift motor per the proper procedure for the unit being serviced and reattach the lift motor to the ramp (elliptical) or lift platform (treadmill). NOTICE: You must find and repair the cause for the jammed lift. Only re-calibrating the lift motor will not solve the problem.
3. One of two modes can cause the lower PCA to fail. The lift switch could fail in an operated condition. If this happens the lift will move (either up or down) as soon as the unit powers up. The usual result is that the lift will be physically jammed as explained above, and probably also being cause for the lift fuse to blow. The lift switch could also fail in an open condition. If this happened, the lift would not operate in one direction. If either of these conditions occur the lower PCA needs replaced.
4. Most units have the lift capacitor mounted inside the lift motor, and others use external lift capacitors. This information applies to units with the external lift capacitors. If the lift capacitor is shorted the lift fuse blows. Check the capacitor for a short using an ohm meter. Disconnect the capacitor from the lift motor and test. A good capacitor reads in the millions of ohms. Replace the capacitor if the reading is significantly low. Capacitor can also fail in the open condition which would result with the lift motor trying to run but not having normal power. Test the capacitor by measuring AC voltage across it. A good capacitor will read AC peak voltage while an open capacitor reads AC RMS voltage.
5. When a lift motor winding is bad the lift will not operate in one or both directions depending upon the exact fault in the motor. Check the lift motor winding with an ohm meter. AC lift motors have a split winding (3 wires) and DC lift motors will have a single winding. Both windings must be checked on an AC lift motor. Normal winding readings could vary anywhere between 1 and 60 ohms, depending on the lift motor being tested. See the proper service manual for the motor being tested.
6. Test unit with a known good interconnect cable. Replace the interconnect cable if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 40

Precor Error 30, 31, 32 and 33, Communications Error Probable Cause 1. Bad interconnect cable between upper PCA and lower PCA. 2. Interconnect cable is mistakenly plugged into the CSAFE connector at the upper PCA. 3. Elliptical 5.17 equipped with old software version 1.01 in upper and lower PCA. 4. Upper and lower PCAs have mismatched software. 5. Another component plugged onto the PCA is overloading the +5VDC power supply. 6. Bad lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Test unit with a know good interconnect cable or test the interconnect cable for continuity. Replace interconnect cable if necessary.
2. Disconnect the interconnect cable from the CSAFE connector and attach to the proper position on the upper PCA.3.
3. Replace the upper and lower software of the 5.17 elliptical with the most current versions.4.
4. If one of the PCAs is found to have software version 1.01, replace it with the most current software version.
5. Disconnect all components from the upper and lower PCA leaving the data cable connecting between the upper and lower PCAs and the AC power going to the lower PCA. If the unit shows any error other than the error 3x, reconnect components one at a time. Reset power between each newly connected component until the error 3x reappears. Whichever component was last connected when the error 3x reappears, is the cause for the error. Replace the faulty component.
6. Test unit with a known good lower PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the upper PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 30 31 32 33

Precor Error 30, 31, 32 and 33, Communications Error Probable Cause 1. Bad interconnect cable between upper PCA and lower PCA. 2. Interconnect cable is mistakenly plugged into the CSAFE connector at the upper PCA. 3. Elliptical 5.17 equipped with old software version 1.01 in upper and lower PCA. 4. Upper and lower PCAs have mismatched software. 5. Another component plugged onto the PCA is overloading the +5VDC power supply. 6. Bad lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Test unit with a know good interconnect cable or test the interconnect cable for continuity. Replace interconnect cable if necessary.
2. Disconnect the interconnect cable from the CSAFE connector and attach to the proper position on the upper PCA.3.
3. Replace the upper and lower software of the 5.17 elliptical with the most current versions.4.
4. If one of the PCAs is found to have software version 1.01, replace it with the most current software version.
5. Disconnect all components from the upper and lower PCA leaving the data cable connecting between the upper and lower PCAs and the AC power going to the lower PCA. If the unit shows any error other than the error 3x, reconnect components one at a time. Reset power between each newly connected component until the error 3x reappears. Whichever component was last connected when the error 3x reappears, is the cause for the error. Replace the faulty component.
6. Test unit with a known good lower PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the upper PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 30 31 32 33

Precor Error 30, 31, 32 and 33, Communications Error Probable Cause 1. Bad interconnect cable between upper PCA and lower PCA. 2. Interconnect cable is mistakenly plugged into the CSAFE connector at the upper PCA. 3. Elliptical 5.17 equipped with old software version 1.01 in upper and lower PCA. 4. Upper and lower PCAs have mismatched software. 5. Another component plugged onto the PCA is overloading the +5VDC power supply. 6. Bad lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Test unit with a know good interconnect cable or test the interconnect cable for continuity. Replace interconnect cable if necessary.
2. Disconnect the interconnect cable from the CSAFE connector and attach to the proper position on the upper PCA.3.
3. Replace the upper and lower software of the 5.17 elliptical with the most current versions.4.
4. If one of the PCAs is found to have software version 1.01, replace it with the most current software version.
5. Disconnect all components from the upper and lower PCA leaving the data cable connecting between the upper and lower PCAs and the AC power going to the lower PCA. If the unit shows any error other than the error 3x, reconnect components one at a time. Reset power between each newly connected component until the error 3x reappears. Whichever component was last connected when the error 3x reappears, is the cause for the error. Replace the faulty component.
6. Test unit with a known good lower PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the upper PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 30 31 32 33

Procedure 7.19 - Replacing a Battery; can be found on page 67 of the service manual. http://www.sportsmith.net/images/product_support/precor/Service%20Manuals/Commercial%20EFX/Service%20Manual,%20C576i%20Self%20Powered%20EFX.pdf

Warning Notice for Battery Installation of certain Precor Ellipticals This notice provides details about the battery replacement procedure that should be considered by anyone performing this repair. Following is the warning about the battery installation for certain models of the Precor ellipticals.

Precor Elliptical Models Affected:

• EFX C524 with serial#s beginning I7, K7, LH, SW, SX
• EFX C546 with serial#s beginning NF,SZ, IK, IL, IU
• EFX C546I with serial#s beginning X8, XG, Z2
• EFX C556 with serial#s beginning NG, SY

When replacing the battery on your Precor elliptical it is important to make sure that the battery terminals are not allowed to make contact with the metal surface of the battery bracket. **Damage to the battery will occur**. Electrical tape can be wrapped around the battery terminals to prevent them from making contact with the metal surface of the battery bracket. Battery replacement on the EFX C524, EFX C546, EFX C546i and EFX C556 instructs you to remove the (4) screws that fasten the battery bracket to the frame. This allows you to turn the lower PCA and battery assembly away from the frame so you can slide the battery out of the battery bracket. It may be necessary to remove the nut that fastens the front retaining bracket or "L" bracket in order to slide the battery out of the battery bracket. Warning Notice for Battery Installation on Precor EFX Ellipticals

Repair Parts for Precor EFX 546i Ellipticals SPORTSMITH net Please use your model and serial number to narrow down your search. In the middle of our Web page you will find the service manual for your machine.

Precor Error 30, 31, 32 and 33, Communications Error Probable Cause 1. Bad interconnect cable between upper PCA and lower PCA. 2. Interconnect cable is mistakenly plugged into the CSAFE connector at the upper PCA. 3. Elliptical 5.17 equipped with old software version 1.01 in upper and lower PCA. 4. Upper and lower PCAs have mismatched software. 5. Another component plugged onto the PCA is overloading the +5VDC power supply. 6. Bad lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Test unit with a know good interconnect cable or test the interconnect cable for continuity. Replace interconnect cable if necessary.
2. Disconnect the interconnect cable from the CSAFE connector and attach to the proper position on the upper PCA.3.
3. Replace the upper and lower software of the 5.17 elliptical with the most current versions.4.
4. If one of the PCAs is found to have software version 1.01, replace it with the most current software version.
5. Disconnect all components from the upper and lower PCA leaving the data cable connecting between the upper and lower PCAs and the AC power going to the lower PCA. If the unit shows any error other than the error 3x, reconnect components one at a time. Reset power between each newly connected component until the error 3x reappears. Whichever component was last connected when the error 3x reappears, is the cause for the error. Replace the faulty component.
6. Test unit with a known good lower PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the upper PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 30 31 32 33

Precor Error 30, 31, 32 and 33, Communications Error Probable Cause 1. Bad interconnect cable between upper PCA and lower PCA. 2. Interconnect cable is mistakenly plugged into the CSAFE connector at the upper PCA. 3. Elliptical 5.17 equipped with old software version 1.01 in upper and lower PCA. 4. Upper and lower PCAs have mismatched software. 5. Another component plugged onto the PCA is overloading the +5VDC power supply. 6. Bad lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Test unit with a know good interconnect cable or test the interconnect cable for continuity. Replace interconnect cable if necessary.
2. Disconnect the interconnect cable from the CSAFE connector and attach to the proper position on the upper PCA.3.
3. Replace the upper and lower software of the 5.17 elliptical with the most current versions.4.
4. If one of the PCAs is found to have software version 1.01, replace it with the most current software version.
5. Disconnect all components from the upper and lower PCA leaving the data cable connecting between the upper and lower PCAs and the AC power going to the lower PCA. If the unit shows any error other than the error 3x, reconnect components one at a time. Reset power between each newly connected component until the error 3x reappears. Whichever component was last connected when the error 3x reappears, is the cause for the error. Replace the faulty component.
6. Test unit with a known good lower PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the upper PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 30 31 32 33

Precor Error 12, Watchdog (Lower PCA) Probable Cause 1. A failure in the lower PCA overloads the low voltage power supply and causes it to drop below the preset level. 2. A fault in the interconnect cable (upper PCA to lower PCA) causing the low voltage power supply of the lower PCA to be too low. 3. A failure in the upper PCA that overloads the lower PCA low voltage power supply causing it to be too low. Corrective Action

1. If the error message is continually displayed when the unit is powered up, the upper PCA needs replaced. External causes may make the error appear intermittently.
   1. If the AC input of the unit dips significantly during power up test sequences, the test could fail causing the error to appear.
   2. A treadmill connected to a non-dedicated AC circuit can experience this error intermittently.
2. Determine if the interconnect cable is the cause by substituting a know good cable in place of the current cable. For test purposes, the substitute cable needs to be connected directly between the upper and lower PCA's, without routing the cable internally.
3. Determine if the upper PCA is the cause by substituting a know good upper PCA for the existing upper PCA.

Precor Error Code 12 12 Watchdog Lower PCA

Precor Error 30, 31, 32 and 33, Communications Error Probable Cause 1. Bad interconnect cable between upper PCA and lower PCA. 2. Interconnect cable is mistakenly plugged into the CSAFE connector at the upper PCA. 3. Elliptical 5.17 equipped with old software version 1.01 in upper and lower PCA. 4. Upper and lower PCAs have mismatched software. 5. Another component plugged onto the PCA is overloading the +5VDC power supply. 6. Bad lower PCA. 7. Bad upper PCA. Corrective Action

1. Test unit with a know good interconnect cable or test the interconnect cable for continuity. Replace interconnect cable if necessary.
2. Disconnect the interconnect cable from the CSAFE connector and attach to the proper position on the upper PCA.3.
3. Replace the upper and lower software of the 5.17 elliptical with the most current versions.4.
4. If one of the PCAs is found to have software version 1.01, replace it with the most current software version.
5. Disconnect all components from the upper and lower PCA leaving the data cable connecting between the upper and lower PCAs and the AC power going to the lower PCA. If the unit shows any error other than the error 3x, reconnect components one at a time. Reset power between each newly connected component until the error 3x reappears. Whichever component was last connected when the error 3x reappears, is the cause for the error. Replace the faulty component.
6. Test unit with a known good lower PCA. Replace the lower PCA if necessary.
7. Test unit with a known good upper PCA. Replace the upper PCA if necessary.

Precor Error Code 30 31 32 33