Model C Troubleshooting
This section is designed to help you diagnose and fix problems with your indoor rower. New problems may arise that are not discussed in this troubleshooting section. We would appreciate any information you may have to help us deal with these situations.
To obtain indoor rower schematics and detailed instructions for repair and/or replacement of parts, please visit the manuals and schematics page. If you need further troubleshooting assistance, please call Concept2 toll free at 800.245.5676 (USA and Canada), or email rowing@concept2.com.
Click an issue below to view it.
Odd Noises
Symptom 1
Scraping noise from inside of front end beam.
Resolution 1
The shock cord or chain may be routed incorrectly, worn or may have jumped off pulley. See the 
Return Mechanism Schematic PDF for proper routing of the shock cord and chain. Contact Concept2 if replacement parts are needed.
Symptom 2
Creaking noise from footplate area.
Resolution 2
Two mating surfaces of monorail and front end are working against each other. Separate the monorail from the front end. Apply a light coat of thick lubricant (Vaseline or Chapstick) to front facing and bottom rear facing aluminum hooks located at front of monorail. Reassemble and row.
Seat/Monorail Problems
Symptom 1
Seat sticks on monorail.
Resolution 1
- The monorail may not be clean. Clean monorail. Wipe monorail with a cloth or non-abrasive scouring pad after use. You can use soap and water or any glass cleaner. Do not use mineral acids, bleach or coarse abrasives.
- Bottom rollers may be too tight. If so, adjust with a 9/16" or 14mm wrench.
Symptom 2
Black residue on monorail.
Resolution 2
The black flecks on your rail are normal. The flakes on the rail are a combination of dirt, perspiration, molydisulfide (a lubricant from the plastic rollers) and a very small amount of the nylon plastic that the rollers are made of. These four components are subjected to the mechanical action of the rollers and can dry and harden on the rail. You should clean the monorail. Wipe monorail with a cloth or non-abrasive scouring pad after use. You can use soap and water or any glass cleaner. Do not use mineral acids, bleach or coarse abrasives.
Symptom 3
Seat bumpy when rolling.
Resolution 3
The may be dirt on seat rollers or monorail, or worn out seat rollers. Clean rollers and monorail. Replace top seat rollers if worn out.
Symptom 4
Seat hits end of track while rowing.
Resolution 4
Usually caused by long legs! It is possible that you will hit the end of the monorail while just sitting, but not while actually rowing. We recommend that you try a test row before making adjustments.
If you hit the end of the monorail while rowing with the seat rollers in the standard position, you can extend the travel distance of the seat by 1 inch.
Use two 9/16" or 14mm wrenches to loosen the bolt holding the rear top seat roller in the seat carriage. Remove the roller and hardware on the rear of the seat. Place the roller and hardware in the next hole over in the same order in which you removed it. Tighten the nut.
If this doesn't extend the seat far enough for you, please contact us to purchase an extended length monorail.
Symptom 5
Seat wobbles from side to side on monorail.
Resolution 5
After extended use, the fit of the seat on the monorail may become loose due to wear on the rollers. You may move the bottom rollers to a tighter hole toward the front of the seat by following one of the following steps.
- The top roller must be removed and the seat slid up to front of monorail and off. Use two 9/16" or 14mm wrenches to do this. Use a 9'16" wrench and an Allen wrench to loosen and tighten the bottom rollers.
- The top of the rear leg must be removed from the monorail using a 7/16" wrench and an Allen wrench. The seat can then be slid off the rear of the monorail. Use a 9/16" wrench and an Allen wrench to loosen and tighten the bottom rollers.
Chain/Shock Cord Problems
Symptom 1
Chain skipping or running roughly.
Resolution 1
This could be caused by stiff links in the chain or a worn out sprocket. Clean and lubricate the chain. See the Chain Lubrication PDF (this procedure is the same for Model C, D and E Indoor Rowers). If this doesn't help, replace the sprocket. See the Sprocket Replacement PDF. If the chain continues to skip, the machine should not be rowed and you should contact Concept2 immediately.
Symptom 2
Not enough resistance in the flywheel regardless of damper setting.
Resolution 2
Check your technique first. You may not be generating enough power on the drive to feel resistance from the flywheel. This machine generates resistance through moving air. The more air the fan moves, either by turning faster or by having more air available because of a more open damper, the harder it will be to spin the fan and the harder the resistance will be. By increasing your work output on the drive, you will be increasing your resistance. This can be proven out by doing the following: Try rowing at a low stroke rate (16-20 spm) and concentrating on rowing each stroke separately with lots of power on the drive, pushing hard with the legs. Try rowing like this at a damper setting of 10 for a minute or two, then 5 for a minute or two, then 1.
Click here for more technique help.
or
The flywheel may be dusty and may need to be cleaned out. Refer to the Flywheel Opening and Cleaning document.
Symptom 3
Handle not retracting all the way and hanging loose.
Resolution 3
Shock cord is too loose due to normal stretching or cold temperatures. Adjust shock cord tension. See the Shock Cord Adjustment PDF (this procedure is the same for Model C, D and E Indoor Rowers). Replace the shock cord if it is frayed through the outer cover or if it is losing its elasticity. If the shock cord is cold, allow it to warm up.
Monitor Problems
Symptom 1
PM2 Monitor display fails to come on when you start to row.
Resolution 1
If you just changed the batteries, they may be in upside down. Try reversing the orientation of the batteries. See the PM2 Battery Removal and Replacement PDF. If you have not just changed the batteries, try pressing the ON/OFF button. If there is still no life in the display, you could try new batteries. If this doesn't help, contact Concept2. If pressing the ON/OFF button results in zeroes being displayed on the monitor, but those zeroes are retained even after you pull the rower handle, then there may be a problem with the monitor pickup.
or
The Performance Monitor pickup wire may not be securely plugged in on back of monitor. Make sure the plug is inserted completely.
Symptom 2
Faded or incomplete segments on the PM2 display.
Resolution 2
There is most likely a poor connection between LCD and circuit board. Perform this self-test: hold down the READY/OK button, then press the DISPLAY button. This self-test will cycle the monitor through all the segments. Press ON/OFF to end the test.
Additional Performance Monitor troubleshooting information is available for each PM model. To view troubleshooting information for your monitor, identify your monitor, then click Troubleshooting.
Heart Rate Related Problems
Symptom 1
Heart rate reading absent or totally erratic.
Resolution 1
Note: Occasionally the Heart Rate Monitor will pick up bad data for a number of reasons. When the PM2 recognizes bad data, the display will go blank rather than show the bad data. It will take 5 seconds or longer to reestablish and display accurate readings. Review the following causes and solutions:
- Poor contact between skin and electrodes. Wet the electrodes. The electrodes must be wet to pick up accurate heart rate readings.
or
Make sure the transmitter is centered with electrodes flat against your skin, as high under the pectoral muscles as is comfortable.
or
Wash your belt transmitter with mild soap and water, if you have not been doing so regularly. - Receiver too far away from transmitter. Make sure your receiver is within the proper range to receive transmission (1 meter/3 feet from your chest belt).
- Bad cable connections. Check the cable connection on the back of the PM2 where the receiver cable plugs in. Check the connection between the cable and the receiver.
- Outside interference. If you are exercising within range of strong electromagnetic signals the heart rate readings may elevate to abnormal levels. Common sources of electromagnetic signals are televisions, computers, cars, TV antennas, high voltage power lines and motor driven exercise equipment.
- Signals from more than one Belt Transmitter within the transmission range (1 meter/3 feet) may also cause incorrect readings. Check your surroundings and move away from the source of interference if possible.
Note:Two Indoor Rowers with heart rate hardware must be at least 4 feet (1.22 meters) apart to avoid interference.
Symptom 2
Entire monitor screen goes blank when Heart Rate cable is plugged in.
Resolution 2
This is caused when a short-circuit that occurs if the Heart Rate cable is plugged into the PM2 while the monitor is turned ON. To resolve, push the ON/OFF button once to turn the PM2 off, then push the ON/OFF button again to turn the PM2 back on again. We suggest that the Heart Rate cable be plugged into the monitor when the PM2 is turned off.
