# Z-Axis Motor failed test **URL:** \ **Category:** Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [February 29, 2020, 2:47pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516 "2020-02-29T14:47:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![M-Mo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@M-Mo](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/M-Mo)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 2:47pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/1 "2020-02-29T14:47:44Z")
Hi, I have my Maslow since June 2018 and last week the z-axis begin to not grab the zero position and when I hit return to center the z-axis change is position every time I do it. I hit the “Test motors” in the Ground Control and only the z-axis failed the test. Do I have to replace the motor or it can be another problem? And if I need to get a new one do I have to order it on Makermade site? Is the motor that is sold by Makermade is the same and fit on my kit? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/2 "2020-02-29T17:03:36Z")
I’m going to guess that there is a pretty high probability that with those symptoms you are just seeing a loose cable connecting to the z-axis. I would try unplugging and re-plugging that cable on both ends and see if the issue goes away. ---
**Author:** ![M-Mo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@M-Mo](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/M-Mo)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/3 "2020-02-29T17:47:49Z")
Ok thanks bar, I will try this. ---
**Author:** ![M-Mo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@M-Mo](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/M-Mo)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/4 "2020-03-02T16:13:33Z")
Hi bar, I try unplugging and re-plugging that cable and same problem. The motor make noise that I didn’t ear before. I opened the gear box and every thing seams working fine, I tried the test without the gear box and encoder cover open to watch and, same problème… ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/5 "2020-03-02T20:02:31Z")
> [@M-Mo](#): > > encoder cover open Can you send a picture with the cover off? ---
**Author:** ![M-Mo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@M-Mo](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/M-Mo)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:19pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/6 "2020-03-03T17:19:53Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/a/abb5999a1f8b5f05ab1c2a2e786aa9cd6aa9e23f.jpeg) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/f/fb62b37a41db5ba26aeb57453779a4eca2033ec3.jpeg) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/5/52d3b2d1083d6a0e86e86e5af430c5b13d635269.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/7 "2020-03-03T17:39:54Z")
That all looks pretty good. I don’t see anything visually wrong under there. ---
**Author:** ![M-Mo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@M-Mo](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/M-Mo)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/8 "2020-03-03T17:53:39Z")
I’know… I switched the z axis motor with the left one on the back of the board and make the motor test and this way is the left motor who failed the test. So I don’t think is the board. Do yo know a similar replacing part that is sold on amazon or I have to order it on makermade site? Thanks again bar. ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/9 "2020-03-03T21:40:03Z")
Happy to help, I’m sorry I haven’t told you anything conclusive. There isn’t really a drop in replacement available on amazon so makermade might be the best way to go. I haven’t really seen an encoder fail before when there wasn’t something physically wrong with it. ---
**Author:** ![M-Mo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@M-Mo](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/M-Mo)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 1:58am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/10 "2020-03-04T01:58:53Z")
Thanks bar, I will order a new one at Makermade. I’ll post an update when I replace it. ---
**Author:** ![Hidden\_Customs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc29f/32.png) [@Hidden\_Customs](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Hidden_Customs)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 12:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/11 "2020-03-08T12:31:23Z")
Hi, I bought a brand new kit from MakerMade CNC. Im here in South Africa. This weekend i finally got time setting everything up and from the get go my Z-axis didnt work at all. No movement and failing tests @bar @makermadecnc. Please help, ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/12 "2020-03-08T17:39:23Z")
What do you see on the tests if you swap the wire from the z-axis with the left motor? ---
**Author:** ![Ignasi](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/ignasi/32/17154_2.png) [@Ignasi](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Ignasi)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/13 "2020-09-29T14:53:19Z")
Hi there, I have found my self in the same situation and I read the trouble shooting. I would suggest to double check closely the cable connections as it is quite hard to spot a broken cable as seen on the picture. Hope it will help @M-Mo and @Hidden_Customs. ![IMG_3384](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/8/2/828e1e74b2c8837a68f776196cabdba6ea5db370.jpeg) ![IMG_3385](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/7/c/7cab2630691abaa8b6568f1ddfb39b461bdd5945.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Hidden\_Customs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc29f/32.png) [@Hidden\_Customs](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Hidden_Customs)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-failed-test/12516/14 "2020-09-29T15:48:14Z")
Hi thanks, @MakerMadeCNC shipped me a new motor after I did all the tests without any success. I appreciate the post though. I went ahead and made new cables as spares also when testing.