Fanatec CSR Elite Issue (More like Forza Killed My Wheel!)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Crispy
  • 98 comments
  • 19,570 views
Crispy
It seems this isn't a CSR Elite problem, and more of a Forza Problem. See what happens is (Go test it yourself) when you go into the menu, feel how tight the FFB motors are. Apparently, my wheel was at a 90 Degree angle, so when I paused it, it caused the FFB motors to lock up, get really hot, and burn something out. Hopefully that's covered under warranty.
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You would think that before it got too hot the safety would kick in though, in other words the wheel would get shut down. Wasn't this safety net also in the old Porsche wheels?
Must be the beta firmware having a small hickup as well.

Glad things are getting sorted for you guys though. :)
 
Crispy
It seems this isn't a CSR Elite problem, and more of a Forza Problem. See what happens is (Go test it yourself) when you go into the menu, feel how tight the FFB motors are. Apparently, my wheel was at a 90 Degree angle, so when I paused it, it caused the FFB motors to lock up, get really hot, and burn something out. Hopefully that's covered under warranty.
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Well it is good you noticed this as a possibility. That way Fanatec can try and replicate the situation. I am also glad you posted this. I will try and stay aware if I go to menu in Forza and I will look to see if the motors are locking up or trying to fight against each other. By the way what firmware are you using? If it is 721b. I may wait till a later fw become available. However I understand that 721b corrects many other issues found. I feel like it is a damned if you do damned if you dont.

Blade
 
@ Blade Runner
I noticed it get more firm in the Forza Menu also. I always disconnect my wheel in the menu and use the controller to navigate everything. I always power it off then power it back on so that the fan can spin up if need be. I'm hoping that the logic for thermal control is available when it isn't in a "connected" state.
 
LogiForce
You would think that before it got too hot the safety would kick in though, in other words the wheel would get shut down. Wasn't this safety net also in the old Porsche wheels?
Must be the beta firmware having a small hickup as well.

Glad things are getting sorted for you guys though. :)
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I would be interested to see if this happened to everyone using the 721b firmware. i havent upgraded mine yet (715) and i'm worried because it works fine for me one forza, maybe i will wait for the next firmware upgrade...
 
ilonioum
Crispy, I was playing GT5 when the wheel died and it was sudden.

I have received a reply from Fanatec and they will be sending me a replacement wheel. Great support, I'm very satisfied with everything now.

I suggest you contact them as well.
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Your clip on simology is great. You made me laugh, very much. Your wheel died, but dispite that situation you are thanking Thomas for great wheel :bowdown:


Nice from them to send you new wheel, but thats why you have guarantee
 
Leemon
Your clip on simology is great. You made me laugh, very much. Your wheel died, but dispite that situation you are thanking Thomas for great wheel :bowdown:


Nice from them to send you new wheel, but thats why you have guarantee
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Well since there is no major issue with all CSR Elite wheels and since I have already received the replacement wheel (yes, it only took them 2 days to analyze my request and have the wheel shipped and delivered) there is no reason for me not to be happy. The video is not there anymore btw.

This wheel delivers more than any other wheel out there for a very reasonable price. I'm happy with both the wheel and Fanatec ;) for your information I have send them back the faulty wheel and they have refunded the shipment cost within 15 minutes.

And last but not the least - Thomas is a very good man and a very good CEO and he deserves to be thanked.

Glad you guys visit simology :)
 
One suggestion to everyone using CSR Elite wheels - NEVER leave the wheel ON when you are not using it.
 
ilonioum
Well since there is no major issue with all CSR Elite wheels and since I have already received the replacement wheel (yes, it only took them 2 days to analyze my request and have the wheel shipped and delivered) there is no reason for me not to be happy. The video is not there anymore btw.

This wheel delivers more than any other wheel out there for a very reasonable price. I'm happy with both the wheel and Fanatec ;) for your information I have send them back the faulty wheel and they have refunded the shipment cost within 15 minutes.

And last but not the least - Thomas is a very good man and a very good CEO and he deserves to be thanked.

Glad you guys visit simology :)
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Yes he does. He's helped me, as well as many others on this, and other, forums. Thank you Thomas for everything you do for us! We really appreciate it! :cheers:

I just sent the request yesterday, do you have to send the wheel in first or do they send you the replacement wheel, and after that you send the dead one?
 
I think, Crispy, that your wheel is fried.

Clisp and Clunchy!!

(see what I did there? :tup)
 
They have sent me the wheel yesterday and asked me to send the damaged one back as soon as I can by the cheapest way as they compensate that as well.

So they send you a new wheel prior getting the damaged one.
 
ilonioum
Well since there is no major issue with all CSR Elite wheels and since I have already received the replacement wheel (yes, it only took them 2 days to analyze my request and have the wheel shipped and delivered) there is no reason for me not to be happy. The video is not there anymore btw.

This wheel delivers more than any other wheel out there for a very reasonable price. I'm happy with both the wheel and Fanatec ;) for your information I have send them back the faulty wheel and they have refunded the shipment cost within 15 minutes.

And last but not the least - Thomas is a very good man and a very good CEO and he deserves to be thanked.

Glad you guys visit simology :)
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I am not saying that Thomas is not a good man or CEO, or that CSR-E is not good wheel. But it is hilarious to see death wheel and you are thanking him for death wheel :)

BTW why did you removed the clip? If you didnt recieve replacement wheel you would not remove it? Why to remove it, it could help some other guys if they will have the sam issue!
 
tlowr4
I think, Crispy, that your wheel is fried.

Clisp and Clunchy!!

(see what I did there? :tup)
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I see what you did there, jokester! :p

ilonioum
They have sent me the wheel yesterday and asked me to send the damaged one back as soon as I can by the cheapest way as they compensate that as well.

So they send you a new wheel prior getting the damaged one.
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Okay, thanks so much! 👍
 
Leemon
I am not saying that Thomas is not a good man or CEO, or that CSR-E is not good wheel. But it is hilarious to see death wheel and you are thanking him for death wheel :)

BTW why did you removed the clip? If you didnt recieve replacement wheel you would not remove it? Why to remove it, it could help some other guys if they will have the sam issue!
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I did not thank him for the dead wheel, just wanted to thank the guy for a good product even though it failed, all newly invented things can fail so this is no criteria for me to judge whether the product performs well or not. It got replaced within 2 days so there was no loss from my side whatsoever just some more experience.

I have removed the video because some of the guys decided they will not buy the wheel because I had the problem. As I stated both at simology forums and here - I have no intentions to harm the CSR Elite reputation and the fact that my wheel died does not mean this will happen to everybody.

We have shared enough info with Crispy for the guys to judge whether their wheel is dead or not :)

And as I said previously, just be careful with the wheel, do not leave it ON if you are not using it as the dual motor system has much more torque and can accidentally get overheated and damaged if left unattended.
 
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Crispy
Yes he does. He's helped me, as well as many others on this, and other, forums. Thank you Thomas for everything you do for us! We really appreciate it! :cheers:

I just sent the request yesterday, do you have to send the wheel in first or do they send you the replacement wheel, and after that you send the dead one?
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I wish he would have commented on this thread today, let us know he's working on a new firmware to correct this potentially costly bug.
 
I don't think it can be corrected by firmware. I think it's something to do with the game. (Forza) I think ilonioum's case is different from the couple I've seen. The one's I've seen have been caused through Forza 4's Menu. ilonioum's happened in GT5, maybe that might be fixed by firmware.

Fanatec are trying to replicate the problem so they could make a firmware update. Last I heard was that they were still trying to get it to happen.
 
Seems my wheel has died in the same way. Played 20 mins of FM4, finished a race, back to main menu, when downstairs to make a coffee, on the way back up noticed a burning smell, panicked thinking a light in my daughters room had caught fire, thankfully not. Walked into my gaming room to smell strong electronic burning smell and --- displayed on wheel. Turned it off and back on, centred ok but would not go into any mode. Turned it back off and back on a few times, it eventually went into xbox mode, tried it again wouldn't go back into xbox mode. Tested some more and it will every now and again go into xbox mode but won't go into pc or PS3 mode. Anyone give me fanatec support email address please?
 
PzR Slim
Seems my wheel has died in the same way. Played 20 mins of FM4, finished a race, back to main menu, when downstairs to make a coffee, on the way back up noticed a burning smell, panicked thinking a light in my daughters room had caught fire, thankfully not. Walked into my gaming room to smell strong electronic burning smell and --- displayed on wheel. Turned it off and back on, centred ok but would not go into any mode. Turned it back off and back on a few times, it eventually went into xbox mode, tried it again wouldn't go back into xbox mode. Tested some more and it will every now and again go into xbox mode but won't go into pc or PS3 mode. Anyone give me fanatec support email address please?
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e-support@fanatec.com

👍
 
PzR Slim
....Tested some more and it will every now and again go into xbox mode but won't go into pc or PS3 mode. Anyone give me fanatec support email address please?
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Having the same problem with mine, will not go into PC or PS3 mode. I've e-mailed Fanatec support (with a video and all information) and have not heard anything from them.

How long does it usually take to get a reply from support?
 
So what's the deal should we just not play FM4 then? :scared:

turn off my wheel when I go to the menus? What if I forget :scared:

I cant go out like Crispy. :nervous:

Granted, I got my T500rs as backup. But still, who wants their new wheel to go up in flames


Btw, let's be clear, what FFB you running? I've got my ffb turned down to 60 on the wheel itself. I can turn it way down in fm4 too if that will help. Hell, I could turn it all the way off in fm4 if need be
 
@crispy
This has to be firmware. I've left my PWTS on for a long while and never had an issue. Fanatec will fix this for sure, they've been extremely responsive with these issues.
 
I think switching off the wheel, if not used, is the best solution for now.
I know that Fanatec is very close to the community, so there should be a solution soon.
;)
 
Spike125
I think switching off the wheel, if not used, is the best solution for now.
I know that Fanatec is very close to the community, so there should be a solution soon.
;)
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I agree. Whether it's short or FW it doesn't matter. The point is it's something new that needs to be addressed. I'm also quite sure that they will fix it.
 
NeoAgent
Having the same problem with mine, will not go into PC or PS3 mode. I've e-mailed Fanatec support (with a video and all information) and have not heard anything from them.

How long does it usually take to get a reply from support?
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I had a reply from support this morning after sending the email last night.

They have asked me to send a video, which I have done but I don't see what that is going to achieve. The wheel is busted and needs to be replaced. The smell of fried electronics was horrendous. My wife and I were concerned about my daughter breathing in the fumes from another bedroom, that's how bad it was.
 
sandboxgod
So what's the deal should we just not play FM4 then? :scared:

turn off my wheel when I go to the menus? What if I forget :scared:

I cant go out like Crispy. :nervous:

Granted, I got my T500rs as backup. But still, who wants their new wheel to go up in flames


Btw, let's be clear, what FFB you running? I've got my ffb turned down to 60 on the wheel itself. I can turn it way down in fm4 too if that will help. Hell, I could turn it all the way off in fm4 if need be
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It's the menu when you push 'Start' when driving. The main menu is fine, as the motors are turned off in that menu. If you start a free play match and turn the wheel about 180 degrees, press 'Start'. You'll notice the wheel will slowly center itself. I guess there's a problem where it sometimes activates both motors and they combat each other.
 
PzR Slim
I had a reply from support this morning after sending the email last night.

They have asked me to send a video, which I have done but I don't see what that is going to achieve. The wheel is busted and needs to be replaced. The smell of fried electronics was horrendous. My wife and I were concerned about my daughter breathing in the fumes from another bedroom, that's how bad it was.
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I've sent two e-mails, one about a week ago and one (including a video) three days ago and have not heard anything from them. Is there another method to contact support?
 
PzR Slim
I had a reply from support this morning after sending the email last night.

They have asked me to send a video, which I have done but I don't see what that is going to achieve. The wheel is busted and needs to be replaced. The smell of fried electronics was horrendous. My wife and I were concerned about my daughter breathing in the fumes from another bedroom, that's how bad it was.
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What happens if one breaths in the fumes?
 
Received UPS Quantum E-Mail today. Wheel will arrive on Tuesday!!!

I would like to thank Fanatec. You guys have been really quick in dealing with my E-Mails and sending out my wheel, I thank you for that!
 

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