E003
Cub Cadet Drive Motor Overcurrent / Wheel Jam

Robot mower shows E003 and will not drive forward or reverse

Advertisements

Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

Advertisements

Possible Causes

Grass or stones jammed in drive wheel, Damaged drive wheel gearbox, Worn drive motor brushes (on brushed models), Faulty drive motor driver circuit on main PCB

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Switch OFF main power and remove the battery connector. Wear gloves and eye protection.

  • Inspect wheels: Check both rear drive wheels for wrapped grass, wire, or twine. Remove debris with pliers or a hook tool.
  • Check wheel rotation: With the mower lifted, rotate each drive wheel by hand. They should turn smoothly with some gearbox resistance but no binding or grinding.
  • Clean wheel hubs: Remove the wheel caps and inspect the hub area for packed dirt or stones. Clean thoroughly.
  • Check gearbox play: Excessive side‑to‑side play or grinding noises indicate a failing Cub Cadet drive motor/gearbox module.
  • Reconnect and test: Reconnect the battery, power ON, and command a short manual move. If E003 reappears and wheels do not move, the drive motor assembly or motor driver on the main board may be defective.

Do not continue to run the mower if the drive motors are overheating or making loud grinding noises; this can damage the main control board.

Advertisements

Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Drive Motor and Gearbox Assembly
Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Advertisements