Easy Guide to Repair 6 and 12 Volt Electric Ride on Toys

by jveazey

328K801.7K

Intro: Easy Guide to Repair 6 and 12 Volt Electric Ride on Toys

How to repair most common electrical ride- on toys

STEP 1: Diagnose the Problem Equipment Needed

There are few common problems which can cause an electric ride-on toy to quit working. A volt meter will be needed but you won’t need an expensive meter. The circuit runs from the battery sometimes they have a fuse or diode connected to one of the battery terminals. If you can test at that point and have an electrical current then go the on/off switch ( not all ride ons have power switch). From there the voltage goes to the pedal then it’s passed on to the forward/reverse switch and motherboard.Then it’s passed to the motors.

STEP 2: Testing the Batteries and Connections.

Check 6 volt or 12 volt batteries 6 volt fully charged should read 6 plus volts 12 volt should read 12volts plus. You also want to check the terminals inside the connectors battery side and vehicle side. I had a customer who had a 12 volt John Deere back hole tractor, the battery and charger were both checked out good but he could not get the tractor to work. There was corrosion in one of the connectors preventing the battery from making contact. Sometimes a battery can give you a false good reading before moving on to switches and motors unplug the battery from the vehicle. Using the plug that the battery would connect to, insert a couple of small nails or screws into the plug. This is to give the charger something to connect to, it won’t damage anything. Check on the plug for pos. and negative then hook a regular battery charger 6 or 12 volt depending on the battery side. If you plug in a charger and it works it’s the battery that’s bad.( UPDATE ON BATTERY VOLTAGE DETERMINING CONDITION BY VOLTAGE READING. I HAVE COME ACROSS A 12 VOLT BATTERY WITH A READING OF 12 PLUS VOLTAGE THAT WAS BAD THIS IS THE FIRST BATTERY IN 10 YEARS THAT HAD A PLUS VOLTAGE VALUE, BUT WAS BAD) So double check to make sure you don’t have the same issues.

STEP 3: Testing Throttle or Foot Pedal Switch

On the throttle switch you can use the multi meter using the added chart in pic. The foot peddle switch you can disconnect and jump the connection on the switch I use a paper clip, if the motor starts turning once you jump the connection you know it’s the pedal switch. Two more switches on the vehicles are your forward/reverse and fast/slow switches. If your vehicle won’t run or only runs slow or only goes forward or reverse. These switches could be the problem.If you have a vehicle that only goes forward or reverse or high low. Under the switches you will see the wires connecting to each switch. If you have a high low speed switch undo the wires and turn the switch around and replug them in. If it was only working in high and you turn the switch then it only runs in low you know the switch is bad. All replacement parts are available online. If your vehicle won’t move once the battery has been charged and you check it for 6 plus or 12 plus volts. Reading just 6 or 12 can be a sign of a bad battery, it has to be over the voltage because the start up using load power to begin to move the vehicle.

STEP 4: Replacing the Battery Charger or Battery

The two main manufacturers of electric ride-on toys are Power Wheels and Peg Perego, make sure which one you have and the voltage (6/12 v )when ordering parts. The connections on these batteries are made to manufactures specs. But that doesn’t mean you have to use their batteries, you can undo the casing and remove the plug connections. Some times the clips are soldered on but not every time. You can take them apart and reuse the plugs, just identify the positive and negative cables. If you have to replace the terminals you can mark them yourself . When replacing the battery charger with the one in the picture you just have to make contact with the metal clips in the connector (pos. To pos. Neg to neg.) Also test your charger to make sure it’s putting out the correct voltage 6 volt or 12 volt and make sure it cutting off when it’s supposed too. I have one car brought in that the charger didn’t cut off, it burned up the battery,control board and melted one of the rear lenses on the vehicle. Once you see the green light or after charges all night test the charger with your volt meter.

STEP 5: Checking Controller and Motor

The easiest way to test the controller is once the batteries and switches have been determined to be good turn the throttle or press the pedal switch. If you hear a clicking sound the controller or motherboard is most likely bad. You can also test it with the voltmeter. Testing the motor is done by disconnecting it from the controller and hook up 6 or 12 volt charger to it and make sure it turns. The pic of the large motor is from Razor scooter or moped style the pic of the two smaller motors are found in most 4- wheeler type or the typical cars and trucks. The motors rarely go bad.

STEP 6: Drill Drainage Holes

The biggest problem after batteries going bad is shorted switches, The main problem is these ride ons are not waterproof, if they are washed or rained on they won’t drain properly. Even if you have a brand new ride on the biggest tip I can give is drill drain holes. Under pedal switch gear switch speed switch even the battery compartment. There are many new models coming out that have working lights wired radio and remote controls. You have to remember most of these vehicles are made in China. The more accessories the less juice you have for driving which also destroys the battery sooner, it has to be charged more often.

STEP 7: Changing the Battery and Vehicle Swicth

You can cut off the connectors one leads from the battery and connects to the vehicle connector. If you are going to use a universal charger instead of the one that came with the vehicle you can connect to the metal clips inside of the connector (pos to pos. neg. to neg. ) .If you are going to use a different battery then the manufacture reuse the battery connector or cut off the manufactures battery charger connector and replace with the universal metal clips which will connect on the new battery.

STEP 8: Newer Models

There are many newer models being put on the market and most are coming from China. The more accessories the less power you have for driving,the new ride ons have wired radios, working lights and remote controls. The batteries run down faster and sometimes the mother boards can’t handle the extra charges. .

STEP 9: Jeep Brought in As a Trade From a Repeat Customer

Repeat customer brought a Jeep that was having trouble, the car would take off as soon as the battery was connected. The problem was the foot peddle switch. It was a power Wheels model Jeep so the peddle switch worked off an internal spring it was stuck in the on pressed in position. There was no way to rebuild it so I just changed it with a new one. That solved the problem and along with a new paint job it will be listed locally for sale.

STEP 10: Check Double Check

Customer brought I an older John Deere Gator, she wanted fixed. Tested battery and it was bad, hooked up a test battery and put it in forward gear and it ran. Then shifted to reverse and no response, with this vehicle forward/reverse is all one switch. I was thinking I would have to replace the switch, but one I took the back panel covering the motors I found the real problem. A mouse moved in and built a large nest, her or her babies ate the motor wiring and sprayed the motor (always wear gloves and face mask, cloth mask types work). Replace the wiring and motor and battery, now it’s good as new. If I had only suspected the switch and had bought a new one it would have been a waste.

STEP 11: Battery and Fresh Paint

Had someone bring in a ride on that their kids out grew. Put a new battery and a paint job and it was ready to go.

STEP 12: Someone Brought in a Curbside Find

Took the body off to check for broken or cut wires and checked the motors (12 v) replaced one and a new battery. Painted and then put the truck back together.

STEP 13:

With a lot of extra parts on hand, had someone ask me to build a trailer for their grandkids.

STEP 14: Extending the Run Time

if you want to increase the run time for your child’s ride-on you can hook up two 6 volt or 12 volt batteries together. I do not recommend increasing the voltage but do recommend adding run time.

You can hook up two batteries parallel and it won’t increase the voltage. Putting two batteries side by side call one “A” and the other “B”. Connect one wire from red “A” to red “B” and connect one wire from black”A” to black “B”.Then run a separate wire from red “A” to the vehicle then run separate wire from black “B” to vehicle.

STEP 15: Bad Idea

Have a few people asking about upgrading their batteries to a higher voltage. When you increase the voltage there is a danger of electric fires . Had someone bring in a 6 volt that was upgraded to a 12 volt and they didn’t realize the pedal switch, on off switch and motors was all affected because they couldn’t handle the higher voltage

STEP 16: Repairing Forward Reverse Switch

You can buy replacement switches online for around $7-$10 each. But you can also repair the old ones while waiting on them to come in. Open the switch by removing the top button,empty the contents on your work table. Using spray lubricant to clean the housing and contacts, once you inspect the springs you can replace them. The springs are the cause of most switches to stop working. Cut your new spring 1/2

STEP 17:

Once again whichever battery powered ride-on you own, unless it’s kept inside . You need to drill drain holes, the pics are of a hover board that the moisture got to and ruined.

STEP 18:

STEP 19: Steering Not Working

Had a customer bring in a Power Wheels tank and the steering wasn’t working. There is a bad design where the steering motherboard was located, the manufacturer sent out new motherboards. After charging the motherboard the steering still didn’t work. I removed the gearbox that was attached to the steering rod and opened the casing to remove the two screws that was holding the motor in.I would suggest taking a pic before removing the gear cogs.I was able to give the motor a lubricant bath and was able to free it up. Re-installed the gearbox and it worked perfectly.

STEP 20:

STEP 21: “Fix It

Times being tough had someone bring me a curb find to see if I could “fix it” for them. Other then having no battery, gear case or motor it was in good shape. Since I have plenty of parts and him buying a battery and charger, I was able to “fix it” . After parts and some paint got it presentable for him. Mickey Mouse coup the original Rat Rod.

STEP 22: Explaining Basic Circuits

This is a simpler example of the wiring it goes from the battery to the power switch then to the foot peddle then back to the motor. If any link is broken the vehicle will not run. The more newer toys has more connections, but the toys work the same any break in the links cause the toy not to work. You will have to check more links then this example.

STEP 23:

6 volt quad not working

STEP 24: First Step Test the Battery and Charger

When testing the charger that shaped like a hollow tube, insert the positive inside and ground to outside. Both working but no response when stepping on foot peddle

STEP 25: Testing Fuse

Then I unplugged the thermal fuse and connected pos. wire directly to the battery, still no response

STEP 26: Test Foot Peddle Switch

I removed the switch by pushing the holding tabs from under the quad. Then unscrewed the foot peddle to release the switch. After testing the switch spring by pushing the peddle in to make sure the spring would push it back up. I then unplugged the two wire and noticed some corrosion, cleaned them with s small file and touched them together ( after turning the power switch on) the car started working. Connected the wires back to the switch and worked perfect.

1270 Comments

amyjobarker 2 months ago

I have a 12v ride on that goes and then stops. Then after a few seconds it will go again and then stop. New battery. Any idea where I should start to try and find the problem?

jveazey 2 months ago

When you get to the fuse bypass it and wire the connections directly if it start working you will know the fuse was bad. Also about the battery you will need to see if it registers 12 plus volts, and also make sure the charger is putting out 12 volts. It’s like an old set of Christmas lights if one section is bad or weak it will affect all the others.

jveazey 2 months ago

You need to start with a volt meter test the battery, and the charger . I am leaning towards a bad thermal fuse or an inline fuse. But it can be a number of other things also. Go to each connection and make sure they are secure, tight.

Casagrayson 2 months ago

Hi! I bought a 12V Hyper UTV1000 Jeep at auction. It was sold as working, but although it charges, makes an engine revving sound, and honks, it will not move forward or backward. The fuse box looks like some fuses might be missing. Do you think this could be my problem, or is it more likely a gear shifter or pedal issue?

Casagrayson 2 months ago

It's running! The problem was in the gear selector ... a loose connection, it appears. Hopefully that is all that is wrong and it isn't something I'll need to replace. I decided not to worry about the paint and just added some new stickers.

Thanks for your help!


jveazey 2 months ago

Any paint that says it will cover plastic.

jveazey 2 months ago

Ok what you’re looking at is probably the motherboard, you can see capacitors inside and if it got wet. That could be your problem, but I would start by going thru your switches and connections. I just finished working on a 6 v Spider-Man Supercar, the battery was bad and the new one came in today so I installed it. New battery car still wouldn’t move. Had noticed it had an in line fuse but also a thermal fuse, not sure why they had both. I could tell the inline fuse was good by looking at it. Remove the thermal fuse and just ran it straight with the inline fuse Turned it on and it immediately started working.


Casagrayson 2 months ago

Thanks so much! I will try everything you suggested!!

Casagrayson 2 months ago

Thanks for the reply! No ... that plate was missing. There is a switch, so I'll check it first then move to the foot pedal.

If I can get it up and running, I might want to repaint as it has a lot of sun damage. What kind of paint do you use?

jveazey 2 months ago

Was there a plate covering that section? Ok so the charger puts out the correct voltage and the battery reads 12 v ? Trace the wiring to the on/off switch and make sure it’s getting voltage, if it doesn’t have a switch then the foot pedal will work as it so check there. Then go to the forward/reverse switch make sure sure you’re getting voltages to each section.

unfortunately the reviews on this model has mixed reviews.User reviews summary

Bought this for my son’s birthday and it was broken....

ran for 15 minutes then died..It was cracked in two places and wont even turn on....More

Lacks durability

 Slayla

3 years ago

Great!

There’s a lot of negative reviews and i’m not sure why. I haven’t had any of the problems others have had. The battery on a full charge will literally last ...More

Reviewed on walmart.com

Diana

3 years ago

Bought this car in November 2018. Was very happy with the purchase my child loved it. Then this year it broke down. It wasn't charging anymore.

Kristi 3 years ago


READ THIS REVIEW!

BEWARE! I read all of the reviews before purchasing and like most, I thought that it wouldn't happen to me. Battery lasted maybe a month? Reviewed on walmart.com

Morgan

1

Dissapointed

I followed the directions step by step. kids road it around the yard for 30 min until it started smoking. Other issues 

KellyW128 3 months ago

Please help. Bought and this is all it does video linked. It’s the huffy Minnie Mouse car

jveazey 2 months ago

Ok finally was able to open the file. Did you buy it recently new or used ? Sounds like a wiring or switch issue. If new did you have to put it together or was it completely assembled ? Let me know and if you don’t see a reply in more then a day email me at Jcv851@gmail.com

jveazey 2 months ago

The clip doesn’t open for me, you can try sending it to my email. Jcv851@gmail.com

equinnjr 4 months ago

I got a Hyper 1000 Jeep for my grandson that needs new decals. Got any idea where to find them? Thanks

oledan 4 months ago

Have an old Peg perego 12v tractor. Battery checks as having 11v. When switch is pressed wheels will just barely turn, high and low speed. I even connected 12 v car battery just to check and was same. Any idea on what's causing this? Or have both motors gone bad at same time??

jveazey 4 months ago

Hi if your battery is only showing 11 volts then you need a new battery.

oledan 4 months ago

Ok, I wasn't sure if 11V was low enough to make motors turn that slt.
But I wonder why it wouldn't run when I connect to my full size tractor battery. It read 12 V and it cranks a diesel tractor?

jveazey 4 months ago

Does it have one motor or two ? One motor can go bad I wouldn’t think two would.
if you unplug the motor and connect to the wires coming from the car and see if you’re getting 12 volts there. If you have a 12 volt charger you can hook it up directly to the wires where the battery was connected. If you don’t get 12 volts at the wheel motors you will have to test each stage.The power goes 12 v from the battery to the on/off switch if no on/off switch the pedal will act as the on/off. From there it goes to the forward/reverse switch and then on to the motors. Starting at the battery (12v) then to each connecting switches, if you find where it loses 12v then that’s the weak point. You start each point where the power comes in and then at the connection where the power goes from each switch.
More Comments