# '05 GEM Died while in motion - Now Code 81, but speed still registers **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [January 15, 2021, 6:20am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622 "2021-01-15T06:20:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:20am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/1 "2021-01-15T06:20:51Z")
We have a 2005 GEM e4, rebuilt controller and ride-4-fun blue motor. My wife was out with the kiddos coming back home while crossing a major street, and the GEM died on her. She said everything had been running fine, but mid-way through crossing the motor stopped. Once we got the GEM to a safe location, I started troubleshooting. Tried a reset of the breaker for a few min, still no go. Turning the key on all 12V comes up fine, lights, dash, etc. Pressing the accelerator, I get the familiar “clunk” but no motion If I press the accelerator down for a bit, Error 81 will come up. I checked the wiring to the speed magnet and it seems to be fine, cleaned all contacts with a contact cleaner and reassembled…still no dice. When I had to push the GEM out of the road, I noticed the speed sensor did begin to register some motion, so I am assuming that means the magnet is good…but I would be happy to be proved wrong. No other error codes have been thrown to my knowledge. Any ideas as to what my next steps should be to test this out? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Derrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@Derrick](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Derrick)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/2 "2021-01-15T17:41:43Z")
If you pop off the speed sensor and the magnet looks good then there’s little chance that’s the problem. I had the same problem you did and when I replaced the speed sensor it fixed the problem. Look around on eBay and amazon for a cheap replacement instead of the expensive ones retailers are selling. I think I paid in the neighborhood of $15 for mine and it works fine. Also there is a way to test the speed sensor it I forget exactly how. ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/3 "2021-01-15T17:47:36Z")
Thanks @Derrick . I’ll take a look at the magnet today to see if I can find any damage. ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/4 "2021-01-15T18:08:04Z")
It will run without the speed sensor. Suspect the motor. Ohm it out. I believe that most motor issues will throw their own code. Ie. open armature. But not sure. If motor doesn’t even try to run, code 81 may be first to show. Try pushing the car while pressing pedal to see if it throws another code or motor sparks badly. ---
**Author:** ![LithiumGods](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/lithiumgods/32/672_2.png) [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/5 "2021-01-15T21:23:06Z")
sounds motor to me too. usually bad sensor/magnet will still run some. I think I have a sensor but don’t think it is your problem. ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/6 "2021-01-15T21:34:35Z")
I am leaning towards motor now too. I checked the magnet, it looks fine and all contacts were clean. When I pushed the cart a bit I tried pressing the accelerator again and it started lurching forward a bit and then stopping. The motor sounded like hell. I am not going to do that again as I don’t want it to possibly fry the controller. Is this still the preferred method for Ohming the motor? (I have never done it) I found in another thread from @Old_Houseboater 1. A1 TO A2 should show a few ohms 2. F1 TO F2 should show a few ohms 3. ALL THE ABOVE TO CASE should show nothing 4. F’s TO A’s should show nothing. 5. ANY DEAD SHORTS motor is toast. 6. All tests with motor disconnected from control. Odd that it was running fine, and then just completely crapped out while in motion. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/7 "2021-01-15T22:14:50Z")
Your right on your summary. How ever your armature reading could be right and you can still have problems. You are a hundred percent right parking it until you can get it repaired. Also because you didn’t continue to drive it you may not need commutator machining. Is It a GE or RFF motor? Email me if you need repair. [rodneyadiehl@aol.com](mailto:rodneyadiehl@aol.com) Rodney AKA Old Houseboater ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 4:44am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/8 "2021-01-16T04:44:23Z")
So, I think I did this right…and I don’t think it is a good sign. I welcome to be educated though if I am operating the meter incorrectly. 1. A1 TO A2 should show a few ohms Shows nothing 2. F1 TO F2 should show a few ohms Shows 0.00 3. ALL THE ABOVE TO CASE should show nothing When meter is set to ohms it bounces a bit, however, when I have it set to continuity, I get tone. **F1 to Case (tone and 004)** **F2 to Case (tone and 017)** ![F2 to Case](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/6/6743aa9baa2d6865c5468c5577b53fbf81bfb7a8.jpeg) **A2 to Case (tone and 872)** ![A2 to Case](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/7/72dcf111846dbaf8d2a830ff4c6ec8a0e46b22b4.jpeg) 1. F’s TO A’s should show nothing. **F1 to A2 shows 93.1** 2. ANY DEAD SHORTS motor is toast. I have a short (continuity) from all but A1 3. All tests with motor disconnected from control. Motor had all cables disconnected ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 5:26am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/9 "2021-01-16T05:26:45Z")
Keep track of how much money you’re throwing at this. A 3 phase ac motor has no brushes and 1 moving part. 😉 @MikeKC ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 5:45am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/10 "2021-01-16T05:45:32Z")
@Inwo ballpark to get to an AC setup is $1,500 minimum, right? This GEM is by no means a hot rodder, and is affectionately known as our hooptie 😆 It has a T3 Controller, GELs, and one of your J1772 setups to go into it 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 6:51am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/11 "2021-01-16T06:51:08Z")
Yes it is, and you already paid for the controller. I don’t know what a motor will set you back. There are some used ones floating around. Ideally the conversion would come before spending a dear amount on repairs. ---
**Author:** ![joeduca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@joeduca](https://community.electricforum.com/u/joeduca)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/12 "2021-01-16T15:22:40Z")
check your battery cable connections…if they are even a little loose you will experience the problems you are describing…I know it sounds simple, but they tend to rattle loose and can sometime be as simple as cleaning and tightening… ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/13 "2021-01-16T15:46:01Z")
Thanks @joeduca . I checked the connections and they all seem pretty tight and none of the cables are corroded. My bigger concern is the results I got from oming the motor out. I think it’s dead. ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 6:24am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/14 "2021-01-18T06:24:01Z")
Pulled the motor tonight…it smelled like the magic smoke has left it… I also really need to get this cleaned up, didn’t realize how nasty it got down there. ![PXL_20210118_060348663](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/b/b203430cdc00adedca91987e6a05d47d0fedaa21.jpeg) ! ![PXL_20210118_060341395](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/e/eab8673dc0272aa08ea519c95b151333788cdbbb.jpeg)! ![PXL_20210118_060354336](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/e/e1992418b0a3a953083a7e9dae39f01dcf08b6cb.jpeg) ! ![PXL_20210118_060430412](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/1/13ca7d0c7c73a749332c323793516e6184667c54.jpeg) ! ![PXL_20210118_060422708](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/b/bd1bd0b0e16cebd98826c4541b4fda218cbeb38c.jpeg) ! ![PXL_20210118_060416283](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/e/ee548f2006ba083c0f254d6f3371b24e4456193f.jpeg) ! ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/15 "2021-01-18T16:46:52Z")
Looks like you might need a new seal on there and check/change what is left of your oil too. What does the other end of the motor look like? (brushes, comm) Once you get the armature out of there it might be interesting to check all your readings again (mainly against case/ground) just to see what broke down. ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/16 "2021-01-18T17:26:14Z")
Yeah, I am definitely going to replace the seal, and I am fearing it is going to be dry inside there. I want to clean this up if I am going to be putting some cash into it. Right now I am planning on going down the AC conversion route (Thanks to @Inwo and @MikeKC !) ---
**Author:** ![MikeKC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MikeKC](https://community.electricforum.com/u/MikeKC)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/17 "2021-01-18T19:00:56Z")
Kit Includes: New Sevcon Gen4 AC Controller New AC 8Kw motor Controller Programming (per your specs) - re-tuning if needed PCB board to use factory GEM switches, wiring harnesses This includes all shipping including the motor, Controller and PCB. The motor will come Dave the rest from me. There might be a slight delay of a week or so on the PCB and harness as I need to build more we are sold out at the moment. I am sure Dave will ship the motor pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Gemstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6de8d8/32.png) [@Gemstar](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Gemstar)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/18 "2021-01-20T01:35:56Z")
Curious how old is your R 4F motor? I also have a 05 and have a blue motor being shipped to me from R4F? ---
**Author:** ![EOppegaard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/32/7550_2.png) [@EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/EOppegaard)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2021, 3:19am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/19 "2021-01-20T03:19:31Z")
We replaced our controller and our motor in September 2010 with components from Ride 4 Fun. If I had to do it again with a DC motor, I would go direct to D&D motor [Gem Motors Made In The USA, gem car motor, gem car motor upgrade, Ford Think motor upgrade, GEM motor, gem car parts](https://ddmotorsystems.com/NEVMotors.php) I emailed them a few times about technical questions and they were very helpful and quick to respond. Ride 4 Fun simply wanted me to buy another new motor. Turns out at the time, I just had a loose connection that D&D was able to diagnose over the phone for free. ---
**Author:** ![Gemstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6de8d8/32.png) [@Gemstar](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Gemstar)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622/20 "2021-01-20T14:32:46Z")
> > ![](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/eoppegaard/45/7550_2.png "EOppegaard") | [EOppegaard](https://community.electricforum.com/u/eoppegaard) Active Members > > January 20 | > > > > - | - | > > We replaced our controller and our motor in September 2010 with components from Ride 4 Fun. > > If I had to do it again with a DC motor, I would go direct to D&D motor [Gem Motors Made In The USA, gem car motor, gem car motor upgrade, Ford Think motor upgrade, GEM motor, gem car parts](https://ddmotorsystems.com/NEVMotors.php) > > I emailed them a few times about technical questions and they were very helpful and quick to respond. Ride 4 Fun simply wanted me to buy another new motor. Turns out at the time, I just had a loose connection that D&D was able to diagnose over the phone for free. > > * * * > > Wow, good to know, if you get a chance can you please shoot me over their contact info: I plan on keeping my Gem as long as I’m around. thank you [Next page](https://community.electricforum.com/t/05-gem-died-while-in-motion-now-code-81-but-speed-still-registers/20622.md?page=2)