Festool ETS EC 150/3 dead with barely any usage

[DIY_Kid]

Two weeks ago it wouldn't turn on immediately when plugged into wall socket, strangely I had to leave it plugged into wall around 3-5mins before it would switch on (after that it would instant turn on everytime).

Now it won't turn on at all. No life at all. I tried a different Festool cord without luck.

It's not been used much since I bought it new, probably 3 hours combined ON time in 3 years, nearly always for sanding dry plasterboard filler before painting my home, connected to my Festool Midi extractor.

Any ideas? I'm very upset given I spent £360+ on it. I thought the brushless motor would last me 10 years of occasional DIY use. I'm now certain I won't be buying such expensive Festool products again  [crying]

 

[veric13]

Did you try another outlet?  Sounds like it might be that.

 

[mrboult]

The sander has a function that stops it powering on without extraction connected. . . I don’t know how it knows it works and I forget what Combo off button presses activates/deactivates it.

Anyway, maybe it’s set to on? Maybe it can’t detect your vac because the sensor (?) is clogged ?

 

[peter halle]

Have you disconnected your plug it cord and looked to see if there is an dark discoloration inside either the tool or the cord itself?

Peter

 

[xedos]

It's almost certainly the electronic control board. There have been cases reported here of similar trouble. One of mine failed within 30 min. of taking it out of the systainer.

Good news is the three year warranty will take care of you.

 

[DIY_Kid]

Unfortunately I think I've passed the 3 years but I will soon find out exact date I purchased it.

Thanks for all suggestions so far from members but I've tried them all. I have another Festool cord for my TS55, I tried it on the sander without luck. I've tried everything dozens of times. I made sure that dust hose sensor on it was off a few days ago when it was still partially functioning. Now I can't get any life from the machine to even turn it on or off.

 

[DIY_Kid]

Have it confirmed 3 year warranty is expired, in April of this year, after I logged into my Festool account to check  :-\

Thanks for all help and advice, think it's definitely the electronic control board as xedos says.

I shall list it on eBay as spares / faulty to cover some of the cost of new Makita sander.

 

[eeeesh]

How did you pay for it?  Does your credit card add an extra year of warranty like a lot of them do?

 

[FestitaMakool]

Have it confirmed 3 year warranty is expired, in April of this year, after I logged into my Festool account to check  :-\

Thanks for all help and advice, think it's definitely the electronic control board as xedos says.

I shall list it on eBay as spares / faulty to cover some of the cost of new Makita sander.

I would send it to your dealer or Festool service facility, explaining (maybe even in a letter/email) that you are a domestic user, and that your tool died way before expected service life. If you have used it so little as you describe, the service technician will probably easily verify the low hours, compared to ie a unit who sees daily use, professionally. This should give Festool a god reason to hopefully repair it on goodwill. But, you will get none if you don’t give it a try. As one who has worked with tech products for years, also responsible for claims, I would say you have a good chance.

Good luck! [smile]

 

[xedos]

I'd send it in for the repair , even if you end up out f pocket for it. 

The electronic is $115 if I recall correctly. Plus a few bucks labor and you're out for well under $200.  You can't buy a comparable sander for that.

But hey, I get ditching it.  Spotty track record for the $$$, and the folks on ebay might just get in a frenzy to have it - leaving you with a new sander for $0.  You might even find an older Porter Cable brushless sander you like as well that gives less trouble.

 

[mrboult]

Have it confirmed 3 year warranty is expired, in April of this year, after I logged into my Festool account to check  :-\

Thanks for all help and advice, think it's definitely the electronic control board as xedos says.

I shall list it on eBay as spares / faulty to cover some of the cost of new Makita sander.

I would send it to your dealer or Festool service facility, explaining (maybe even in a letter/email) that you are a domestic user, and that your tool died way before expected service life. If you have used it so little as you describe, the service technician will probably easily verify the low hours, compared to ie a unit who sees daily use, professionally. This should give Festool a god reason to hopefully repair it on goodwill. But, you will get none if you don’t give it a try. As one who has worked with tech products for years, also responsible for claims, I would say you have a good chance.

Good luck! [smile]

+1

Also the sander has NFC built in, and I remember reading that we were supposed to be able (one day) to monitor and adjust it on a phone app (don't think that ever happened yet. . ) Anyway, it's a strong suggestion that Festool might well be able to see the sanders entire use history once they have it in their hands, and if they can see it's barely been used , I would think/hope they might be flexible on the repair cost to some extent. .