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Problem with my Makita 18V cordless blower

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txlonghorn1989

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I've got a Makita 18V cordless blower. I love this thing. I've had it probably at least two years and I use it all the time. I noticed last week that periodically when I hit the trigger button it doesn't go to full power. However, if I just keep the trigger depressed it will kick up to full power. This is occurring with more frequency. Is the trigger going bad or what? This can happen anytime I press the trigger. Anyone have this happen and have an idea what the problem is? Is it fixable? Appreciate any help you folks can offer.

Thanks!
 

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txlonghorn1989

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Okay...that got no interest. I guess GJ isn't the place to ask THESE kind of questions about throwaway tools.
 
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Rabid Badger

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Is it variable speed? If so is the speed controlled by the trigger or something else?
 
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txlonghorn1989

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blackhawk-tech said:
Is the tool a brushless electrical engine? If not the "brushes" could be worn and need replacement.
Click to expand...

b-tech, it is not brushless.

Rabid Badger said:
Is it variable speed? If so is the speed controlled by the trigger or something else?
Click to expand...

RB, Yes it's variable speed but there's a setting 1 (low), 2 (med) & 3 (high) which determines the max velocity. But you can vary up to that max setting by pulling more or less on the trigger. I'm thinking the problem may be there. Fyi, I always used the blower with it on the highest setting.

Bighead38 said:
If you bought it new it should still be under warranty.

Contact Makita

https://www.makitatools.com/company...launches-upgraded-3-year-lithium-ion-warranty

Garage journal is the place to ask but it’s a holiday weekend so posting is slow. Makita is definitely not a throwaway tool.
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B38, You're right about it being a holiday weekend. I forgot. I'll have to see if I could determine when I bought it. That would be absolutely amazing if it was still under warranty but I could be wrong how long ago I bought it. I also don't recall ever registering it. Not even sure where I did buy it. Thinking about it I'm not sure how I'd even start to figure out where & when I purchased it.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Gonna see if I can find any videos about taking the thing apart and debugging what's wrong.

Mike
 
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Jbullfrog

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I carry one in the cab of our combine, along with a 12v charger. I have had mine change the speed range. Has it ever been wet? Sounds like a corroded switch possibly.
 
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Rabid Badger

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It sounds to me like the trigger switch has some dirty contacts. Try taking the battery out and cycling the switch rapidly a few dozen times. Or, if you're more familiar with electronics, try taking the switch apart and cleaning the contacts directly.
 
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txlonghorn1989

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Well, Makita fixed my almost 3-year old blower under warranty. Only had to pay to get it to them at the factory service center. They replaced the switch and the terminal. Works like new! Thanks to everyone who offered advice but BIG THANKS to Bighead38 for the heads up that Makita cordless tools and thus my blower had a 3-year (not 1-year) warranty! Even without a receipt they fixed it. Although they said that if the tool looked abused without a receipt repairing it under warranty was unlikely. Lucky for me mine looked great despite being used almost every day plus the manufacture code was 2016 which put it inside of 3 years. I also still had the Makita box it originally came in which I used to ship it to them. The blower came back in the original box as well. Kudos to Makita's Service folks. This is 2 out of 2 times I've had nothing but OUTSTANDING SERVICE from MAKITA!

Thanks again Bighead38!
 
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GRB

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Yes, that is a nice little blower. I have two and use them for many things I would have used an air hose to blow out.

Also, the big brushless 2x18v is amazing for yard work and blowing out the parking lot at work. I've been actually turning it down from speed 6 to speed 5. It's that powerful. Makita promo for the blower, 4 5ah batteries and a dual battery charger for about $309.
 
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txlonghorn1989

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Looks like Jbullfrog removed his comment. To answer that question, never had my blower wet or left out in the elements. Spent it's life in my shop. I think something just started to wear out.
 
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Mandres

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txlonghorn1989 said:
Looks like Jbullfrog removed his comment. To answer that question, never had my blower wet or left out in the elements. Spent it's life in my shop. I think something just started to wear out.
Click to expand...

My guess is either the trigger switch (usually the first thing to wear out) or the variable speed control. I would crack it open and look for anything obvious - loose wires/dirty connections/signs of overheating and go from there.
 
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txlonghorn1989

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Mandres said:
My guess is either the trigger switch (usually the first thing to wear out) or the variable speed control. I would crack it open and look for anything obvious - loose wires/dirty connections/signs of overheating and go from there.
Click to expand...

Makita already fixed it under warranty. Opening it would have voided that warranty.
 
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