The overheat warning will pop up when the motor is overheating - not just when the outside temperatures are hot. There are a few things that will cause the motor to overheat (also called "overtaxing" the drive).
- Running back-to-back sessions without sufficient breaks for the motor to cool down. FIX: take longer breaks between the 90 second play sessions to allow the motor to cool. Setting up in the shade may help, even on cool days direct sunlight can cause the drive to get quite hot inside.
- Running a course that is too large. FIX: Set up a smaller course first and get everything dialed in for optimum performance before gradually tying on more line See: Determine Your Chase! Maximum Course Size https://support.swiftpaws.com/kb/swiftpaws-chase/how-to-determine-your-maximum-course-size-3
- Running with the line tension too tight. FIX: Adjust for the lightest line tension - un-stake the drive and move forward to loosen line and back to pull the line tighter - when it is just barely lifting the line but not making it taught, the tension should be just right. If the line slips, tighten it just a bit more.
- Set up on uneven ground, or an incline FIX: move course to flatter level ground or strategic placement of pulleys for optimum performance
- If the line is moving through the grass FIX: raise the pulleys so that the line is moving ABOVE the grass/ground and not through or touching high points.
- Using a lure that is too heavy or too many on the line at once. Note: the critter lures sold separately may be too heavy/bulky for Chase FIX: you can try making the course smaller to compensate for heavier lures or go back to using the flags that ship with the kit.
- Number of corners / pulleys - each pulley adds more drag - FIX: reduce the course size to compensate for them; or remove some of the pulleys
It's important to get the course dialed in for optimum performance as continuing to overtax the drive can result in complete failure which would not be covered under the warranty.
Apr 15, 2026