Precor treadmill has Error 42 - Precor 9.31 Treadmill

Precor Error Code 42 Error Code: 42 Manufacturer: Precor
Model: All Models
Error Description: Error 42, Lift Position Value Out of Range. Error 42 is displayed when the lift position reported by the lift position potentiometer is found to be outside its set limits.
If an Error 42 has occurred, it is important to know the physical position of the lift when the error occurred. It is possible the lift is physically out of range or jammed. In this case, the Error 42 is a secondary symptom and the issue should be approached as an Error 40. Possible Reason:

1. Bad or intermittent connection in the lift motor controller.
2. The lift motor requires calibration.
3. The lift motor potentiometer is bad.
4. The lower PCA to upper PCA cable is bad.
5. The lower PCA is bad.
6. The upper PCA is bad.

1. Intermittent connections can be difficult to locate. If the Error 42 condition is intermittent, a connection issue is probably the cause. This is definitely true if the Error 42 occurred while the lift was within its normal physical range. Inspect the lift potentiometer connector and repair connection if necessary. If the intermittent connection cannot be found or corrected, replace the lift motor. A lift calibration number of 0 or 255 indicates an open or shorted potentiometer connection. This means the problem could be anywhere between the lift motor and the upper PCA. Typically it can be identified and tracked using an ohmmeter.
2. Using the appropriate service manual for the unit being tested, refer to the lift calibration procedure. If the information in the service manual doesn't match the lift position/physical lift position of the unit, recalibrate the lift motor. [Something caused the lift motor to be out of calibration. Investigate for cause and correct. Simply recalibrating the lift motor will not solve the problem.]
3. If the lift calibration number is not 0 or 255 and does not change when the lift motor turns, replace the lift motor.
4. Check continuity of the interconnect cable or swap with a known good interconnect cable to verify if cable is bad.
5. Swap the lower PCA with a known good lower PCA to verify if the lower PCA is bad.
6. Swap the upper PCA with a know good upper PCA to verify if the upper PCA is bad.

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.