Power Wheels Wild Thing Stopped Working: Problems And Solutions (Proven!)

Peter Simms // Last Updated on September 26, 2023

Did your power wheel's wild thing stop working while your kid was driving it? There can be several reasons why it stopped running suddenly. Some of the common reasons why the Power Wheels Wild Thing stops working are faulty wires, damaged battery or charger, and other damages.

Troubleshooting the vehicle and checking the different parts such as the connections, the battery, and the motor can help you find and solve the problem.

But how do you troubleshoot when the Power Wheels Wild Thing stopped working? Stay tuned till the end to know all the details!

Why did the power wheels' wild thing stop working?

Wild Thing stopped working on Power Wheels

The Power Wheels Wild Thing is one of the unique power wheels I have seen in recent times. Fisher-price ensures that it offers durable performance for a long time. But sometimes it may stop working.

Faulty wires or problems with the fuse are the most common reasons why power wheel wild things stop working. 

Several other problems can cause such issues. Let's have a look at the most probable causes why your wild thing power wheels stopped suddenly.

7 Possible Causes: Power Wheels Wild Thing Stopped Working

Here are the possible causes of power wheels wild things stopped working:

  1. Loose wires or loose connectors
  2. Fuse problems
  3. Battery problems
  4. Charger problem
  5. Electrical switch damage
  6. Motor damage
  7. Overloaded

One or multiple of these reasons may be causing the toy car to shut down. Now, let's move on to learning how to fix these problems and get the ride-on car back on track.

How to Fix power wheels when a wild thing stopped working?

Fixing Power Wheels If Wild Things Don't Work

1. Loose Wires Or Connectors

Problem:

Excessive temperature or abrasion can damage the wires in the power wheels. Besides, there's a lot of friction happening around the engine system, which can cause the connectors damage.

If not damaged, a loose wire or a loose connector can also cause the wild thing toy car to stop working. It may also happen while your kid is driving the vehicle, and it will suddenly stop.

Solution

To fix the wiring and connectors issues, open up the engine compartment. Then check all the connections to see if they are tightly connected. If not, then connect them properly and try to start the vehicle. If the car is still not working, then maybe the wires or the connectors got damaged.

You will need a non-contact tester to check if the wires and the connectors have power. If you don't have one, you can get the KAIWEETS Non-Contact Voltage Tester with Dual Range AC. It is affordable and functions absolutely perfectly.

Now, test the wires and the connectors to see if they are working well. If they are damaged, you will need to replace them. You can contact the dealer or buy them online. But if everything is alright, then maybe the problem is somewhere else.

2. Fuse Problems

The wild things fuse problems

Problem:

Fuse problems are common with power wheels. It can also make the power wheel wild thing stop running. However, there can be several problems with the fuse in your power wheels. 

They are:

  • Tripped fuse
  • Damaged fuse
  • The wrong fuse installed
  • Fuse installed inappropriately

Troubleshoot the fuse one by one to find and solve the main problem.

Solution:

Let's have a quick look at the solutions for each problem.

  • Tripped Fuse: Overloading is the most common reason for a tripped fuse. The thermal fuse will automatically restart after approximately 25 seconds. If you have overloaded the vehicle, try to reduce the load to avoid further shutdowns.
  • Damaged Fuse: You can find the thermal fuse on the battery. Remove it from there and shake it gently. If it rattles, that means the fuse is damaged. Replace the thermal fuse to make the power wheels start working again.
  • The wrong fuse installed: When installing a thermal fuse, make sure you use the original one, or it may not work. Get the original fuse from your dealer and use it for the best performance.
  • Fuse installed inappropriately: Also, ensure that you have installed the fuse in the right way. It must be installed before charging the battery to prevent any issues.

3. Battery Problems

Battery Problems

Problem: 

I guess you have seen this one coming. Whenever I face any problem with an electric device not working, most of the time, the culprit is the battery. The same thing can happen with your power wheel wild thing, which has a 12-volt battery.

The most common battery problems that can stop power wheels wild thing jeep from start working are:

  • Uncharged battery
  • Overcharging
  • Dead battery

The good news is that all of these problems are fixable.

Solution:

Let's learn how to solve battery issues in Power Wheels Wild Thing:

  • Uncharged battery: A new power wheels battery should be charged for at least 18 hours, and after the first use, it should be charged for at least 14 hours. You may have undercharged the battery, which is causing the problem. Make sure to charge the battery full to keep your vehicle running seamlessly.
  • Overcharging: Overcharging can damage the battery of your power wheel car. Never charge the battery for over 30 hours. If you suspect your power wheel's battery is damaged, use a multimeter to check if it is okay. In case it is damaged, replace it to solve the problem.
  • Dead battery: If the battery is old or if you have ignored maintenance instructions, then the battery may get dead. If you don't have a multimeter, get the Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter to check the battery. If the battery is dead, the only solution is to replace it.

4. Charger Problem

Problem:

Sometimes the charger may not function properly. As a result, it will fail to charge the power wheel battery, and the vehicle will not work. You need to check it to solve the issue.

Solution:

If there is no physical damage, it will be tough to tell if the charger is functioning well or not. I hope you have the multimeter I recommended above. 

Use the multimeter to check if the charger is functional. If it is okay, then look for other issues, or if it is bad, get a new charger.

5. Electrical Switch Damage

Electrical Switch Damage

Problem:

The Power Wheel Wild Thing includes several electrical switches for different functions. 

Exposure to moisture can cause corrosion and damage the switches. It will interfere with the vehicle's functioning and make it stop working.

Solution:

If you believe there is something wrong with the switches in your power wheels, you can check them with the multimeter and replace the one that is bad. 

However, it would be best to visit the local Power Wheels service center for proper checking and solutions.

6. Motor Damage

Problem:

A bad motor can cause the Power Wheels Wild Thing to stop working. There can be several reasons why a motor can damage, such as overheating, low resistance, or corrosion.

Solution:

First, you need to check the motor with a multimeter to know if it is working fine. If not, then you will need a replacement. 

You can do it by yourself if you have previous experience of electric workings. But if you have the warranty, I would suggest you visit the service center.

7. Overload

Problem:

The Power Wheels Wild Thing has a weight capacity of 100 pounds. It is enough for a single-seat power wheel. 

But if you still overload the vehicle, the driving conditions may get stressful, and the power wheel may stop working.

Solution:

The obvious solution to the overloading problem is to reduce the load. Take out anything extra you have put on the vehicle and try running the toy jeep again. It should fix the problem.

Power wheels wild thing fixing cost: Things you should know 

Cost of fixing Power Wheels Wild Things

Depending on what kind of problem you are facing, the Power Wheel wild thing fixing costs vary from zero to hundred dollars. 

Some problems require buying nothing extra, while you will need to purchase parts to fix some problems.

Here is a list of prices of some parts and tools you may need to fix your Power Wheels Wild Thing:

Parts

Approximate Price 

Wires

$5 - $20

Connectors

$5 - $30

Fuse

$5 - $15

Battery

$45 - $120

Charger

$40 - $70

Switch

$5 - $20

Multimeter

$40 - $80

Conclusion 

The power wheels wild thing stopped working due to various reasons. You can face one or multiple issues at a time. Luckily I have been able to provide solutions to all the issues. 

However, if you don't have experience in working with electronic devices, then it would be better to take the vehicle to the local service center. 

It will prevent you from causing extra damage. We hope this article helped to fix your Power Wheels Wild Thing and now your kid can play and have fun.