Car lift problem

mike48130 · Feb 25, 2020

leveled said:
No they tested it, and said it is fine. I was thinking of retesting it.

They are usually cheap.

It just sounds like the motor doesn't have enough power to start up with the hydraulic load. If you were closer I have a spare motor sitting in my garage.

leveled · Feb 25, 2020

mike48130 said:
They are usually cheap.

It just sounds like the motor doesn't have enough power to start up with the hydraulic load. If you were closer I have a spare motor sitting in my garage.

I tested the capacitor and it test out to be correct. i did also try in the beginning with a different capacitor that i had bought on amazon, and it did not work, although it was dented when i got it.

I sent it back.... that is when i decided to take the motor in. Thanks for the offer on the motor, this group is great i have been a member since 2008.

BertZegers · Feb 25, 2020

leveled said:
I have a issue with my car lift. It will not raise or start up, with a load on the it. I have checked voltage 220 plus... and the capacitors on the electric motor . I had no power at the start capacitor on start up, so I assumed the contacts going to the start switch or the centrifugal switch were bad. I took the motor in for service and they told me the internal switch was bad. I had them repair it for about 115 bucks.

I have now reinstalled the motor on the pump and still have the same problem, I check voltage again and it seems to be correct, I even bypassed the electromagnetic switch by using the breaker as a temporary switch. The lift will operate if is lowered completely to the ground or if i use the lowering handle as a temporary pressure buffer.

I am at a stand still waiting on a service tech for the manufacture of the 4 post lift, I feel it may be a restriction in the pump of some sort. I have already followed up with the electric motor shop and they have said it must be on my end.

Anyone have a idea what it could be?

Thank you

Compare voltage with the motor off, and with the motor powered. There should be no more than a few volts difference.
Can you measure the amperage if the motor is started? A motor that is powered but is blocked should take up to 8 times the FLA (normal full load amperage which you find on the name plate ).
If voltage drops on the motor leads, than you have a problem in the "feed".
If the amperage goes up, up to 8 times FLA and the motor will not start running, than the problem is mechanical or hydraulic.

A simple test: If the motor has cooling fins on the end, try if you can turn them with a screw driver through the openings. If you cannot, than the motor cannot start to run.

ovrszd · Feb 25, 2020

Good stuff Bert.

And maybe uncouple the pump from the motor and see if it will start??

leveled · Feb 25, 2020

BertZegers said:
Compare voltage with the motor off, and with the motor powered. There should be no more than a few volts difference.
Can you measure the amperage if the motor is started? A motor that is powered but is blocked should take up to 8 times the FLA (normal full load amperage which you find on the name plate ).
If voltage drops on the motor leads, than you have a problem in the "feed".
If the amperage goes up, up to 8 times FLA and the motor will not start running, than the problem is mechanical or hydraulic.

A simple test: If the motor has cooling fins on the end, try if you can turn them with a screw driver through the openings. If you cannot, than the motor cannot start to run.

Volts
Off 240 Volts
Running but stuck 223 Volts

Amps
12 (when running) one lead (lift works for ground position)
60 (when stuck each) one lead

leveled · Feb 25, 2020

ovrszd said:
Good stuff Bert.

And maybe uncouple the pump from the motor and see if it will start??

I am waiting on the manufacture to respond, its been 1.5 days they said 24 to 48 hours. Hopefully they can give me a parts diagram of the pump, then I will take it apart again. Its a pain to pull the reservoir off since it has no drain plug.

Rebeldad1 · Feb 25, 2020

have you called bendpac? they deal with these daily.

ovrszd · Feb 25, 2020

leveled said:
I am waiting on the manufacture to respond, its been 1.5 days they said 24 to 48 hours. Hopefully they can give me a parts diagram of the pump, then I will take it apart again. Its a pain to pull the reservoir off since it has no drain plug.

Yep. Had mine apart a few years ago.

BertZegers · Feb 25, 2020

leveled said:
Volts
Off 240 Volts
Running but stuck 223 Volts

Amps
12 when running each lead (lift works for ground position)
60 when stuck each lead

The motor seems OK. Do not try to run the motor for more then 2 seconds if it will not start. There is no thermal shut off.
60Amps by 230Volts generates more than 10.000 Watts in heat in a blocked motor! ( 30.000 BTU per hr.)

If the motor runs OK when you hold the hydraulic lever in the "lower" position, than the pump should be OK. Check the hose to the cylinder for pinched or kinks, check steel cables, sheaves, and other mechanical. It looks to me that something is preventing the oil to flow to the cylinder or something prevents the cylinder from extending.