Milwaukee 3.5 HP 5625 router won't start!? [Archive] - Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community

Jerry Olexa

10-07-2010, 3:35 PM

Have the 5625 mounted in router table and when I prepared to do some routine routing today, the unit would not start...About 3 years old, used only occasionally but has done its fair share of raised panels. Checked all electrical connections, switch etc but no luck...Has been an excellent table mount till today...I'm baffled . What could it be on such a low-use, relatively new heavy duty router? Thanks.

Neil Brooks

10-07-2010, 3:44 PM

Gotta' ask the stupid questions, too.

Is your electrical panel circuit breaker popped ??

Jerry Olexa

10-07-2010, 3:56 PM

Breaker not popped...Circuit is active...Tried other circuits too..

Neil Brooks

10-07-2010, 4:00 PM

From the manual.

If the motor shuts off during use, remove the
bit from the workpiece and push the On/Off
switch to the "O" position for three (3) sec-
onds. This will reset the electronics in the
tool. The tool can then be restarted.

I'd try that.

Jerry Olexa

10-07-2010, 4:27 PM

Thanks Neil...Tried that earlier with no success....Little frustrating.

glenn bradley

10-07-2010, 5:21 PM

Thanks goodness for the 5 year warranty (http://www.milwaukeetool.com/PartsAndService/MilwaukeeWarranty.aspx). If the reset is not doing it (makes sense as it was working the last time you shut it down normally) and the circuit is energized . . . brushes certainly aren't the culprit. I've run mine hard for years and the brushes aren't even close to replacement . . . Do you use a remote switchbox? Compressed air at the motor mounted switch? Seems I recall some complaints about the switch on a limited number of tools a few years back; repaired at Milwaukee's expense. If all else fails, contact Milwaukee.

Jerry Olexa

10-07-2010, 5:43 PM

Thanks Glen. Just talked with tech rep @ Milwaukee. He also referred to reset and failing that, referred me to local service center...I also dismantled the body, switch area, etc after that and thoroughly cleaned. No change. Baffling as it came on suddenly. No warning signs. Oh well....

Jerry Olexa

10-07-2010, 7:27 PM

I am suspecting the switch. I had the router mounted in a router table with its switch always "on" and plugged into a side mounted machine switch. To run these tests, I disconnected and plugged in direct. Same results. Milwaukee will stand behind it, I'm sure..

Bruce Darrow

10-07-2010, 11:01 PM

I recently had similar problems with a seldom worked 3.5 hp Milwaukee. Different symptoms, but I'll bet it's the same thing......

Mine started surging 1/2 way thru its first real workout, after a year of light duty and infrequent use. I shut down, checked all things, including inside the router, then tried to run it again. Now it would wind up to full speed as it should, then immediately wind down again to a dead stop.

Gave it to a local service center. Waited forever to get it back - they claimed slow parts delivery from Milwaukee. I'll guess it took a month to get it back. Warranted service, yes, but inexcusably slow.

Oh yeah - the defective part? The electronic speed control module.

Glen Butler

10-07-2010, 11:16 PM

Bruce said my answer.

The electronic speed control was the problem with mine three times in a row. Warranty service like Bruce was painfully slow. It was in the shop more than I used it, until I finally gave up on the thing. $220 was well worth getting rid of the headache and hassle of running it to the shop and calling every week to ask if it was done yet.

Ed Labadie

10-08-2010, 12:43 AM

Went through it with mine.....fine sawdust in the on/off switch. Blow it out with compressed air, hit it with electrial contact cleaner, blow out again.....it works fine.
Maybe I just got lucky.

Ed

Chip Lindley

10-08-2010, 12:51 AM

Besides the aforementioned electronics and switch, check the brushes. Make sure both are still servicable and the springs are pressing them against the armature.

Jerry Olexa

10-08-2010, 5:36 PM

The 5625 now resides in the service center. They said 7-10 days...I always considered this router my dependable workhorse and the best of the lot..Only occasional use and now this....Time will tell.

mreza Salav

10-08-2010, 8:45 PM

Neil Brooks

10-08-2010, 8:49 PM

Will Overton

10-08-2010, 8:57 PM

I had a 5625 in my table for four years, never a problem.
I replaced it with a 5626 which died the second time out. It would start and stop. Jessem replaced it with a new one and it has been fine.

I did some research at the time and IIRC there were some speed sensors that were defective and once replaced solved the problem. My guess is that the OP will be ok once he gets it back.

Bruce Darrow

10-08-2010, 9:17 PM

Glen-

Just in case I experience continued problems like you did - what did you replace it with?

Jerry Olexa

10-08-2010, 9:57 PM

Hmmm...I thought these routers were real good and was about to order one to have in my lift in the router table.
Now I'm not so sure...
Is it a Milwaukee thing or this particular brand? I wonder if the 2.25HP model is the same.
Maybe I should just go with the PC 7518.:confused:

Till now, this was by far the best router in my shop. I've had 6 or 7 routers over the years and I still regard it overall as #1 and EXCELLENT...I'm anxious to get it back. I'm sure the malfunction is a minor thing like a switch etc..Don't lose faith in the 6525...I think this is unusual and will be corrected shortly..

glenn bradley

10-09-2010, 12:41 AM

Been running mine in a router table since 2006. No problems at all. :confused: I suppose any machine can have an issue. There have been plenty of threads on the 7518 speed control issues and I don't see people avoiding them. Either one should serve you well.

I wonder if the 2.25HP model is the same.
Maybe I should just go with the PC 7518.:confused:

I wouldn't go to a lower power machine Mreza. I am sure the happy 7518 and 5625 owners greatly outnumber the unlucky folks who had troubles.

mreza Salav

10-09-2010, 12:52 AM

My current (DeWalt) router was serving me well (in a hobby shop and not heavily used) until I had to replace bearings and brushes ($80). I've had heard all the good things about these Milwaukee ones (both 2.25 and 3.5HP models) until this thread. Perhaps you are right that there are a few bad ones in every bunch but still...
I guess a 5 year warranty is a plus at least.

John Grogan

10-09-2010, 10:12 AM

when you replace it dont go with a dewalt. I had a similar problem with the elecronic speed controller. (one year warranty so it wasnt covered) I now have a triton in my table and love it

Jerry Olexa

11-03-2010, 5:08 PM

Service said it was the switch (which is always left "on" as it is in a router table )....We've heard of that possibility before...So for $ 37 and 4 hours of driving (2 trips) it now is back hanging in my primary router station...Still think it is a great router but the temporary inconvenience was not welcome! Thanks for ur comments!!

Neil Brooks

11-03-2010, 6:00 PM

Glad you're back in action, with all cylinders humming.

Naturally, sorry for the inconvenience. That part's _never_ fun :(

glenn bradley

11-03-2010, 8:37 PM

So for $ 37 Glad all is back online. Was there a reason this was not covered under the 5 year warranty?

Jerry Olexa

11-03-2010, 9:01 PM

Glad all is back online. Was there a reason this was not covered under the 5 year warranty?

Glenn, I usually keep all receipts in a tool file...This one somehow was misplaced so I could show no proof of purchase. Did retain the user booklet but not the vital document....I thought they might show show some flexibility as its obvious its a relatively new 5625 but no such action came...

glenn bradley

11-03-2010, 11:01 PM

Glenn, I usually keep all receipts in a tool file...This one somehow was misplaced so I could show no proof of purchase. Did retain the user booklet but not the vital document....I thought they might show show some flexibility as its obvious its a relatively new 5625 but no such action came...

Bummer. I too have been victim of the "I can find absolutely EVERY receipt, except that one" syndrome a few times myself. Very frustrating; especially to us folks that usually keep pretty good track.

I didn't mean to rub salt in the wound. I was just checking on Milwaukee's warranty service. I have Ridgid's LSA on a couple tools. My sander repair took 3 months! things like this are what lead me to ask about other warranty experiences. Thanks.