ESC Not Beeping [Possible Reasons and Solutions Clarified] 

Your ESC not beeping might cause some unwanted issues within your gadgets. Since it’s a crucial part of your vehicle, no power reaching will mean no output! 

So, why is my ESC not beeping? 

Your ESC might not be beeping because of wiring, module, setup, and batteries. If the problem doesn’t lie there, check if you’re using the right cable. Otherwise, recalibrate it. There can be a short-circuit within your ESC thus needing fixing. Lastly check if your firmware is outdated, if so, then update it.

This was just the basic sketch of the whole issue. We’ve got the detailed version of this down below. So read along to know more!

Quick Fix  

Your ESC might not be beeping for various reasons. For instance, there could be problems with the wiring or the setup. Or simply your batteries might be drained. 

Let’s do some quick fixing before jumping to the bigger issues. 

Check Wiring

ESC no power to motor? Well, this might indicate a wiring issue. Check if you’ve plugged the ESC servo wires into the wrong slots. Or put it in the auxiliary output instead of the main output. If this is the case, correctly plug in the wire and your ESC should start beeping!

Also, check the sequence of your ESC wire and receiver. Here, perhaps you could directly supply your LiPo power to your RX. Doing this will fry your circuit board brutally if the cable pins don’t match. Hence, be careful when plugging in the wires. 

Check ESC Module

There can be faults within the module. In this case, you can either read the DTC or diagnose trouble code using a scanner.

To use a scanner attach it to the onboard diagnostic connector. Then hold the “read” switch on your scanner to see the error codes. Push the “erase” switch to clear the codes. Your ESC should start to beep now!

Check ESC Setup

Another thing you can do is check if your ESC setup is working or not. Insect if the programming is correctly set up, otherwise reset your ESC.

To reset, turn your transmitter on and stick your throttle stick up fully. Connect your battery and there’ll be a beep. Then disconnect the battery and lower your throttle. You’ve reset your ESC successfully and it should beep now!

Check ESC Compatibility 

Check if the ESC you’re using is compatible with your motor. Otherwise, it won’t be able to power the motor and you won’t hear it beeping.

For instance, your brushless ESC is only compatible with only brushless motors. Here the regulator needs to have its firmware modeled to operate brushless motors.

Check Battery

Is your ESC not powering up? Then you need to check your battery type. Check if your battery is charged or if you’re using the right type. The batteries should have 4 cells and be fully charged when you’re using them. 

Ideally, most ESC’s should recognize how many cells are attached. However, if you’ve configured your ESC firmware in some other way then the case might be different. This can result in no beeping at all. In this case, you have to reconfigure it according to the user manual. It should start working after that!

Moreover, check the body of the battery for any lumps. This might indicate overcharging, in that case, you need to replace them immediately!

3 Reasons Why Your ESC is Not Beeping and its Fix

Tried the quick fixes but nothing works? Well, we have 3 more solutions for you to try out which might just work.

Let’s go over them!

Reason 1: Wrong Cable Connection

A wrong connection between the battery cable can result in no power in your motor. Hence you’ll find your 4 in 1 ESC not beeping. This also can create problems of BLHeli not connecting to ESC #1. Try the following steps to fix this issue-

Fix: Recalibrate ESC

If you’ve got your cables wrongly connected, you’ll have to recalibrate them. Here’s a step-by-step instruction for you to follow!

Step 1: Use Smoke Stopper 

When you power your quad on, use a smoke stopper to prevent it from any damage. This will also restrict the current flow and prevent the “magic smoke”.  

Here are some smoke stopper recommendations for you. Have a look-

Hope you’ll find a quality smoke stopper to avert any damage in your new-build RC.

Step 2: Check the Battery Rating

After that check your battery rating by using a multimeter. If you’re using 4S LiPo then it would be (3.7×4) or 14.8V and (2100×4) or 8,400 mAh.

Charge your battery fully before the test. One way of knowing that is through calculating charging time based on battery voltage. 

After that put the metal detector onto the positive port of the battery. Match the ratings. If the battery ratings don’t match then fully discharge your batteries again. 

Next, you can balance the battery voltages with a balanced charger. Afterward, check the ratings again with your voltmeter. 

Step 3: Get the Right Cable Sequence

ESC’s have 3- branches of cables. One cable goes into the original battery of your quad. Another is the servo wire that connects to the receiver’s throttle channel. The third one is responsible for operating the motor. So you have to connect it sequence-wise for it to work!

Step 4: Use the Right Connectors

Use a 4mm bullet connector to connect your ESC wires to the battery and motor. It’ll be easier to solder your wires tight enough. Using a 4mm bullet will make the connection secure. Moreover, it’ll be easier to take it off if you want to disconnect them.

Step 5: Recalibrate ESC

By recalibrating your ESC you can instruct it when it should recognize the throttle input. 

So, how do you recalibrate ESC?

To recalibrate your ESC you have to connect one cable into the receiver’s throttle channel. Switch on the transmitter and pull the trigger all the way up. After that, bind the battery and you’ll hear 2 beeps. After that, pull the trigger all the way back. You’ll hear it beep about 5 times before it stables indicating calibration is completed.

Reason 2: Short Circuit in ESC with Multimeter

A faulty battery connection or reverse polarity can cause a short circuit, burning your ESC. This’ll cause your ESC to fail since the sensors won’t work. 

Fix: Detect the Short and Repair Damaged Wires

First, identify where the short is using a multimeter. If any damaged wire causes the short then insulate it. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Use Smoke Stopper 

A smoke stopper will indicate where the short circuit occurred by lighting its bulb. It’s not only useful while testing an RC model but also it’s good for flashing ESCs. It’ll prevent all the FET’s on the ESC from turning on simultaneously. 

Step 2: Check PDB & ESC

Generally, the battery and ESCs are connected to the PDB. This carries voltage from the battery and distributes it to all the ESCs. So damaged wirings can cause a free flow of current and cause a short circuit. Hence, check both the PDB and ESC for any damage.

Step 3: Test for Continuity of Electrical Surge

It’s simple to test an ESC for short or continuity with a multimeter. You’ll only have to follow 3 steps. 

First, inspect your ESC thoroughly. Next, put your multimeter in the continuity mood and test for short in your MOSFETs. If you get any beep tone while testing that indicates short or continuity. 

Step 4: Insulate the Damaged Wiring

To insulate the damaged wires use ducts made of PVC or steel. Wrap it around the damaged wire insulation and the wire will be safe to use. After covering the cables ensure they’re clean to prevent resistance in the current flow.  

Reason 3: ESC Firmware Update

Esc updates can sometimes reset the settings or setup. Thus using the default setup can end up with RC ESC not beeping. 

Your ESC parameters might change themselves to e.g. low voltage cutoff threshold. Hence maximum brake force percentage, things like this. Ultimately resulting in ESC failure. 

Fix: Reprogram ESC without Card

Try reprogramming your ESC and see if it solves the issue. Programming your ESC would be easier if you follow the steps correctly.

Step 1: Calibrate ESC

Now for this method as well you need to calibrate your ESC. You can use the same calibration technique you used in reason 1 for this.

After that, do the same while placing the trigger to the higher and lower throttle position. The ESC will save the setup by beeping twice. Retreat the throttle to the neutral direction. The ESC will then mechanically end the calibration cycle.  

Step 2: Choose Correct Baud Rate

Choose the default baud rate which is 115200. The higher the baud rate will be, the sooner the data transfer will be. Make sure your vehicle is also operating at the same rate. 

Step 3: Manually Reconfigure the Setting

Now you have to manually reconfigure your ESC to solve the beeping issue. You can easily program the ESC without a program card. So, how do you program ESC without a card?

To program your ESC without a card press the programming button near the on/off button. Power on your ESC. It’ll flicker for 5 seconds or so before stabilizing. After that follow your ESC manual’s programming table. Count the flashes and set up your required value.  

Hopefully, you’ll be able to solve your ESC not beeping issue. Simply follow all the fixes and their steps precisely.

If you feel like your current ESC is putting you through too much trouble, you can look at some better ESC’s. Here are some ESC that we recommend:

FAQs

How does ESC beeping work? 

Here’s how ESC beeping works! If you hear one short beep, it indicates brake. Similarly, two indicates battery type, three implies cutoff mode and four implies cutoff voltage. You can see your manufacturing manual to learn the other beep counts. 

Is it safe to drive with ESC OFF? 

Yes, it’s completely safe to drive with ESC off. Because ESC is an additional protection mechanism that protects you under hostile situations. But if you’re on a highway, you must use it!

How do I turn off the ESC light?

You can turn off the ESC light by pushing the “ESC Off” button for 5 seconds. Afterward, an “ESC Off” buzzer will come up on the odometer turning off the light. 

Conclusion

We’ve discussed every possible fix you can try if your ESC not beeping. Hoping this will help to resolve your issue. 

Another additional thing you can check is if your radio signals are mixed. Interference in the signal can also cause a beeping issue. If so, move into a place with less interference and frequencies!

This is all for today. Catch you later!