Common Power Tool Faults
_{Quick guidance on what symptoms usually mean — and when it’s not worth spending money.}

How to use this page:
• Find your symptom
• Do the 2–3 quick checks
• If it still looks dodgy → get a yes/no verdict for your exact model

Powers on but no torque
Quick checks:
• Known-good battery
• Test under load (screw/cut)
• Clicking/free-spinning under load
Next step
• Still no torque under load → likely internal drive/gearbox → start assessment before spending
• Works fine with another battery → battery issue

Cuts out under load
Quick checks
• Known-good battery + clean terminals
• Short bursts: does it worsen with heat?
• Burning smell?
Next step
• Cuts out across batteries → tool-side fault (trigger/motor) → assessment
• Only cuts out on one battery → battery sag/fault

Burning smell / smoke
Quick checks
• Stop + cool
• Smell only under load?
• Heavy sparking?
Next step
• Burning smell + sparking/power drop → stop using → assessment (motor likely)
• No smell after cooling + runs normal → monitor, but avoid heavy load

Heavy sparking through vents
Quick checks
• Light sparkle vs fireworks
• Power drop + smell?
• If accessible: brush length
Next step
• Fireworks + power drop/smell → likely motor/armature → assessment
• Light sparking + normal power → may be brushes (assessment if unsure)

Battery won’t charge
Quick checks
• Clean contacts
• Different charger / different battery
• Note charger lights
Next step
• Charger fails on multiple batteries → charger fault likely
• Battery fails on multiple chargers → battery pack fault likely

Trigger intermittent
Quick checks
• Wiggle/tap test
• Speed surging?
• Corded: swap socket/lead
Next step
• Cuts in/out with wiggle/tap → trigger/switch/wiring → assessment
• Only happens on one socket/lead → power supply issue

Grinding noise / vibrationQuick checks
• Stop, don’t keep running
• Wobble at chuck/bit?
• Noise changes with speed?
Next step
• Grinding persists → bearings/gearbox → assessment before parts
• Only happens with one accessory → accessory/chuck issue

Completely dead
Quick checks
• Known-good battery
• Clean contacts
• Corded: plug fuse/lead
Next step
• Dead with known-good battery/power → internal fault → assessment
• Works with known-good battery → battery fault

• Start Assessment