True treadmills have been on the market since the early 1980s and are designed to be health club quality cardiovascular equipment, regardless of the setting they are used. As of November 2010, True has eight residential treadmill models. A common feature among these treadmills is the ability to incline the tread deck while running. The amount of incline possible varies by model, but is typically between a -3 percent and 15 percent grade.
Causes
Failure of the incline motor is caused by two main problems: electrical or mechanical failure. The owner's manual for True treadmills indicates that electrical failure of the incline motor can occur when the upper wire harness or incline motor wire harness incur damage or become disconnected. Mechanical failure can occur from wear on the motor, lifting an excessively heavy user or dust buildup causing burnout.
Identification
When the incline motor is not working properly, one of two error messages will appear on the display panel. The first reads "E1:Incline" and indicates that the motor is moving without being commanded. This is an electrical error in one of the wire harnesses. The second message reads "E1:Stall" and indicates that the incline motor is not moving when commanded. This could be a mechanical or electrical error. Inspect all of the wiring and the motor itself for signs of burnout. If you see no burns on the motor or wires, it is likely a problem in the wires.
Prevention/Solution
Remove the plastic coverings on the underside of the electronic display and the incline motor. Check the connections in the wire harnesses to ensure they are secure. If they are loose, push them back together and then test the incline of the treadmill again. If the wires are damaged, corroded or burnt out, True recommends contacting a trained serviceman to replace the components. The same must be done if the motor is mechanically damaged.
Significance
Depending on the problem with the incline motor, the tread belt may still turn and the machine will be operational. It is also possible that the belt will not work and the treadmill will have to be serviced before you can exercise on it. If the tread belt still turns, you should still repair the incline motor because its failure will limit the types of workout programs that are available to you.
Considerations
Consult the warranty and specifications of your treadmill before attempting to carry out any repairs yourself. If a user weighing more than the treadmill's maximum capacity rating is the cause of the incline motor failure, your warranty will be voided. It may also be voided if you attempt to carry out repairs that are not specifically outlined in the user manual.
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