My Flex is acting funny..

StuDLei,
I have two FLEX 3401's and recently posted a thread about the problems I've been having with them - both crashing on the same day.
From my experience there is a lot of over speculation about the power issue with extension cords and home electric outlets. After taking my FLEX's to an authorized repair depot and having 2 long conversations with the Flex representative and Powerhouse (the main repair depot) about the problem it was finally determined that the weak links in tools are the cords, trigger switches and the speed control knob.
It turns out that both my cords were burned out and the triggers had failed. On one the speed dial quit too. I also had all these problems fixed on one unit over a year ago.
Don't worry too much thinking you're doing anything wrong. These are good tools but they do require routine maintenance. So far I have spent over $400.00 in repairs and I have owned my first flex(s) since 2008.
I recommend you call Powerhouse and talk with them about your issues. They are super cool and have helped me a ton. Is your FLEX still under warranty?
Inbox me if you want more specifics.
 
HiDefDetailer said:
From my experience there is a lot of over speculation about the power issue with extension cords and home electric outlets.
Click to expand...

When you troubleshoot you start with the basics and the easy stuff (like if the thing is dead is the circuit breaker tripped?), so checking to make sure the OP doesn't have an overloaded circuit or a flaky extension cord is a prudent first step.

HiDefDetailer said:
it was finally determined that the weak links in tools are the cords, trigger switches and the speed control knob.
Click to expand...

Yes, as with most power tools.
 
HiDefDetailer said:
StuDLei,
I have two FLEX 3401's and recently posted a thread about the problems I've been having with them - both crashing on the same day.
From my experience there is a lot of over speculation about the power issue with extension cords and home electric outlets. After taking my FLEX's to an authorized repair depot and having 2 long conversations with the Flex representative and Powerhouse (the main repair depot) about the problem it was finally determined that the weak links in tools are the cords, trigger switches and the speed control knob.
It turns out that both my cords were burned out and the triggers had failed. On one the speed dial quit too. I also had all these problems fixed on one unit over a year ago.
Don't worry too much thinking you're doing anything wrong. These are good tools but they do require routine maintenance. So far I have spent over $400.00 in repairs and I have owned my first flex(s) since 2008.
I recommend you call Powerhouse and talk with them about your issues. They are super cool and have helped me a ton. Is your FLEX still under warranty?
Inbox me if you want more specifics.
Click to expand...

Great post man, thanks for the reply... I'm actually in a hurry to get outside and get to work. I have about three panels left on my car and it's a race because there's only so much light left today and so much good weather left for the year.

My Flex isn't under warranty any more, no. I've had in since 2008, but I've only used it a few times.

I'll reply back with more later and I'll try to really pay attention to how it's acting today.
 
feslope said:
Any updates on this polisher?
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Sorry I never replied back. Things were hectic with school, moving into a new house and trying to get my car prepped for winter.

I'm in our new house now but I haven't used the Flex since being here. I'll probably use it in the spring. After I used it the last time (the last time I posted) I can't remember what symptoms it was having or how often. I'm thinking it's probably something to do with either the trigger or the speed dial. I DID get my car looking great and I'm trying to stay on top of things this winter.

You know, I put on at least two coats of opti-seal and at least one coat of ocw and it seems like there's still *some protection* on my car, but when I wash it at the do it yourself bay (just to get the salt/winter grime off) it doesn't bead anything like it used to. Has my sealant really already worn off? Does it not bead as well with the crappy (possibly overly recycled) water or because of cold temps (say high 30's)? Just curious here. I was really careful to make sure I had good even coverage and I used Carpro eraser beforehand.

I washed with ONR today in my garage (love that I can do this now) and the car came out great. Hit it with a little OQD too.
 
StuDLei said:
I'm currently staying at my mother-in-laws for the next month and since I've been here I've had some issues with my Flex 3401.

Let me explain...

I'll be using the Flex and everything will be fine, but then all of a sudden it will drop rpms. This is without me pressing down too hard or hitting the speed setting or anything like that. It's almost like it's not getting enough power. Sometimes it'll speed back up and other times it won't. It has never completely died, it's just almost as if it's not getting enough juice.

I'm not an electrian, but is it possible that the extension cord (hers) that I'm using isn't very good or something? Usually it slows down for a second and picks back up and sometimes goes back and forth between the two, but today, after detailing for about 15 minutes it started to slow down and stay that way.

I've had the machine for a few years, but I've only used it on maybe 10 seperate occassions. It's clean and well kept. It never did this anywhere else but at my mother-in-laws.

I haven't tried a new cord yet; I need to buy one. Any reccommendations? Is this the most likely problem? She lives in a five year old house, so it's not like it's plugged into anything shady or something.

Feed back please
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This is all happening because you are staying at your mother-in-law place, that's why!


:dblthumb2:
 
Glad your Flex held up for you to finish your winter prep detail. It sounds like the speed control module to me. Which if you don't use polisher that much it might not be worth the $70+ that a new module cost. When my trigger died on mine it would work normal and when I shut it off to inspect a panel, then go to start polishing again it wouldn't work. Thought it was power input fault but did it at two different houses on multiple circuits, and finally would not work at all. Talked to Powerhouse after looking at the parts schematic/list and Jim(think that the PH guy's name) and I decided it was probably the trigger, but maybe the cord or control module. He suggested to start at the cheapest part and go from there if I wasn't gonna ship it to them. I bought both the trigger and module, just in case, and it was only the trigger. Was gonna send the control module back but you have to pay shipping and restocking fee. So I figured I have it if it goes or I can sell it to someone.
Sorry for the lengthy post. Just wanted to share my experience and insight so future readers know.
As far as opti-seal, I have noticed the same thing. It seems to turn from beading to sheeting. I would try a test area with some polu-seal on a finishing pad to see if it rejuvenates the beading for any certain period of time. Or re-top it with some OW and wait for the beading to end. I have had mixed results with Opti-seal. On a clients black sapphire BMW it held up really well even with weeks in between washes. Maybe that's the trick. Just let it get nice and dirty before pressure washing it. Maybe opti-seal tends to perform better on certain brands/types of clear coat/paint.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online
 
ShaunD said:
Glad your Flex held up for you to finish your winter prep detail. It sounds like the speed control module to me. Which if you don't use polisher that much it might not be worth the $70+ that a new module cost. When my trigger died on mine it would work normal and when I shut it off to inspect a panel, then go to start polishing again it wouldn't work. Thought it was power input fault but did it at two different houses on multiple circuits, and finally would not work at all. Talked to Powerhouse after looking at the parts schematic/list and Jim(think that the PH guy's name) and I decided it was probably the trigger, but maybe the cord or control module. He suggested to start at the cheapest part and go from there if I wasn't gonna ship it to them. I bought both the trigger and module, just in case, and it was only the trigger. Was gonna send the control module back but you have to pay shipping and restocking fee. So I figured I have it if it goes or I can sell it to someone.
Sorry for the lengthy post. Just wanted to share my experience and insight so future readers know.
As far as opti-seal, I have noticed the same thing. It seems to turn from beading to sheeting. I would try a test area with some polu-seal on a finishing pad to see if it rejuvenates the beading for any certain period of time. Or re-top it with some OW and wait for the beading to end. I have had mixed results with Opti-seal. On a clients black sapphire BMW it held up really well even with weeks in between washes. Maybe that's the trick. Just let it get nice and dirty before pressure washing it. Maybe opti-seal tends to perform better on certain brands/types of clear coat/paint.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online
Click to expand...

Well, it rained today and it seems to be beading fairly decent. Remember that I had just washed it with ONR so it could be that.

I have been letting it get nice and dirty though.... only washed it three times this winter I think. I washed it once at a place I had never been to though.. and it was a mistake I think. I think the water was hard as hell because it left water spots on my car, just a little bit. Hopefully they'll come out with mernz sf in spring. They're really shallow and there's not many. You never know what they put it that soap at carwashes either. I don't go to the tunnels even if they're touch free because the soap they use is so acidic after two washes your lsp is gone. I wouldn't think the soap at DIY is nearly as strong because it doesn't clean worth a damn, but who knows. Only reason I go to DIYers is because if my car is super filthy I don't want to ONR it like that.

Can't wait to try the ONR with wax.
 
PS About the house being only 5 years old and not having "shady" wiring, from all the stories I hear about how cheaply they build houses today, it wouldn't suprise me at all that the wiring in a new house is "shady", i.e. that they have not enough circuits.[/QUOTE]

Sad but true. I worked in new homes, the amount if corners cut to save a buck is unreal....some stuff home inspector would look the other way.....

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
 
I'm having the same issues with mine. I am mobile and use my flex 24/7. This thing will run 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. So, no matter where I plug it into (meaning different houses throughout my route), it still acts up with fluctuating rpms. I am so busy that I can't afford to be without this thing, so perhaps it's time to buy a back-up... hmmm, second look at the Rupes.
 
Just did a test spot today at the new house. I've kept my paint pretty darn good looking but there are some water spots. They're all over but they're pretty faint. Anyways, I was anxious to use the Flex since I hadn't used it in so long and I used it with Mernz super finish. MAN that stuff is phenomenal. It works FOR EV ER, but it looks great when you're done. It was enough to take care of the water spots too, so if I ever feel like doing my whole car, I know that will be enough. Unless you wash or dry your car after it rains every time though, you're going to get these spots I think. So maybe it's not worth it... this is a daily driver btw. An 04 Black 350z if I haven't mentioned it. Looks great for being almost ten.

Now as for the Flex.... unfortunately it did the same thing today. It worked fine after a minute though. It's not worth it for me right now to send it in and get it fixed. I don't use it enough and it sounds expensive. So as long as I can still get the job done with it, I think I'm just going to keep it as is. Just for curiousitsy's sake though, if I shipped this to (Powerhouse?) what would it cost to get a new trigger? I think that's what it is...

Thanks for all the feedback.
 
While I'm here, is there a way to view all your posts on this forum? One of the sites I go to has a "my posts" button and wondered if there was anything similar here.
 
One thing nobody mentioned is that the Flex will automatically reduce speed if it gets too hot.

I'm having heat issues with my Flex myself (150+ degrees hot), and the person I spoke with at PowerHouse said they have had some Flex 3401 VRGs in that looked like there was very little or no grease inside. I'll tell you that mine sure sounds like there is no grease inside of it!

While I understand that the Flex is known to run hot, this is, in my opinion, too hot. When you instinctively jerk your hand away after accidentally touching the back of your hand against it, that's potentially dangerous as you could lose control.

I don't think that the Flex is a bad polisher by any means. I think what happened is that some may have just slipped by quality control. Thankfully the service center is right up the road from me!
 
erichaley said:
One thing nobody mentioned is that the Flex will automatically reduce speed if it gets too hot.

I'm having heat issues with my Flex myself (150+ degrees hot), and the person I spoke with at PowerHouse said they have had some Flex 3401 VRGs in that looked like there was very little or no grease inside. I'll tell you that mine sure sounds like there is no grease inside of it!

While I understand that the Flex is known to run hot, this is, in my opinion, too hot. When you instinctively jerk your hand away after accidentally touching the back of your hand against it, that's potentially dangerous as you could lose control.

I don't think that the Flex is a bad polisher by any means. I think what happened is that some may have just slipped by quality control. Thankfully the service center is right up the road from me!
Click to expand...

Wish that was the case for me.

Can you tell me what I should put grease on exactly? In the simplest form possible, lol. Seriously, I'm kind of an idiot when it comes to polisher nomenclature. Also, what kind of grease should I use?
 
The grease goes inside the polisher itself, and opening it up would void the warranty. So, unfortunately, I don't know the process, otherwise I'd be happy to help!
 
erichaley said:
The grease goes inside the polisher itself, and opening it up would void the warranty. So, unfortunately, I don't know the process, otherwise I'd be happy to help!
Click to expand...


Mine's way out of warranty, but I hear ya.

I thought you were talking about just taking of the head or whatever.
 
I believe you'd remove the four torx screws inside the shroud, but I'm not 100% sure. I also wouldn't know which grease you'd need to use. The service center may be able to tell you how if you call and explain your situation. Does it get really hot? Does it only happen after you've been using the Flex?
 
erichaley said:
I believe you'd remove the four torx screws inside the shroud, but I'm not 100% sure. I also wouldn't know which grease you'd need to use. The service center may be able to tell you how if you call and explain your situation. Does it get really hot? Does it only happen after you've been using the Flex?
Click to expand...

Yesterday it happened after using it for only a minute I think, if that. After another minute it was fine. It gets hot, but I don't think it's excessive. I might get a chance to use it again tomorrow.
 
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