NordicTrack rowing machines are one of the top choices when it comes to at home cardio machines.
One of the common issues customers have experienced is with the resistance not working on the machine.
If your NordicTrack rowing machine resistance not working, then let’s review the most proven troubleshooting steps you should follow before calling the manufacturer or a repair person.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
NordicTrack Rower Resistance Not Working – Troubleshooting Guides
There are many reasons why a NordicTrack rowing machine resistance may not be working. Common issues include power supply problems, resistance motor not getting enough power, or the resistance motor being broken.
The following troubleshooting guides will help you identify and fix your NordicTrack rower resistance problem.
1. Check the power source
If your NordicTrack rowing machine resistance stops working, the first thing to do is to check the machine’s power source.
The power source is the most likely reason for the resistance to stop working. It is what provides power to the resistance motor to respond and operate. If it isn’t working, the resistance won’t work either.
Check that the rower is plugged in properly and that there are no loose wires or other objects in contact with the power cord.
Also be certain you are using the appropriate voltage your NordicTrack rowing machine requires. If the cord has any fraying or damage, you should replace it with a new one.
2. Check The Resistance Motor Voltage
There is a small motor that operates the resistance motor. It is about the size of a roll of half dollars. You want to use a multimeter to see if the console is actually sending power to the resistance motor when you manually adjust the resistance on the console.
If the resistance motor receives no voltage from the console when you manually change the resistance, then your NordicTrack rower console is the problem.
But if the resistance motor gets power from the console but still doesn’t run, then the resistance motor needs to be replaced.
Next, turn off NordicTrack rower to check the wire harness connections between the console and the resistance motor.
Through the use of a multimeter, check the continuity between the wiring and the resistance motor.
If any wires are no longer working, replace them immediately.
3. Check The Magnet
When you change the resistance on your rowing machine, but there is no actual change in resistance, then you need to check the flywheel magnet.
After removing the wheel cover, look inside the unit and find the magnet, which is located near to the motor and flywheel.
There is a metal arm running upwards from the motor and is attached to the magnet housing.
If you adjust the resistance now, this arm should move up. This is supposed to make the magnet closer to the flywheel and increase its strength.
If the magnet gets stuck and doesn’t move upwards, then you need to take off the magnet assembly and make it adjustable.
Using an Allen Wrench, remove the two bolts that are holding the flywheel magnet into place.
Carefully remove the magnet assembly out of the magnet housing and put it aside.
Next, you need to adjust the magnet mount attached to the magnet assembly by loosing the two bolts.
Replace the magnet assembly and attach it into place.
Once it’s all back together, turn on NordicTrack rower and check to see if the resistance works again.
4. Replace The Resistance Motor
If the power cord is plugged in securely and the resistance still does not work, then most likely the resistance motor on your NordicTrack rower is defective and need to be replaced.
Replacing the resistance motor with a new one is a very easy task to accomplish. Refer to your NordicTrack specific model manual to get the exact steps to take in order to replace the motor.
Conclusion
After today’s article, you should be willing to know the reason why your NordicTrack rower resistance not working, and the necessary troubleshooting steps to take in order to safely and successfully resolve this issue.
If you have tried all the steps but the resistance is still not functioning, you should reach NordicTrack customer care at 866-538-6117.
The customer service team will help you diagnose the problem and offer solutions.
