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Chainsaw Troubleshooting: Fixes for Problems with the Oregon CS300

Overview

Read this chainsaw troubleshooting guide to see possible solutions for problems with the Oregon CS300 chain saw. If these suggestions do not solve your problem, consult the “Warranty and Service” section of your manual.

Topics

Chainsaw Motor Does Not Run or Runs Intermittently

Motor Runs but Chain saw Chain Does not Rotate

Chain Saw Chain Brake does not Engage

Chain Saw Won’t Cut Properly

Alarm Beeps when the Trigger is Pulled

Chain saw battery pack does not charge

Low Cutting Time per Battery Charge

Blinking Orange Light on Charge State Indicator

Chainsaw Motor Does Not Run or Runs Intermittently

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Chain saw chain brake is engaged.	Before starting, make sure the hand guard is in its most rearward position (chain brake disengaged). See diagram below for correct hand guard position
The battery has no power.	Recharge the chain saw battery. Consult the Oregon CS300 manual for instructions.
Trigger lock-out is not pressed. Note: The trigger lock-out is the movable stop which prevents the operation of the trigger switch until it is activated by hand.	Depress the trigger lock out. Press and hold the trigger lock-out with your thumb. Squeeze the trigger switch to start the saw.
The battery pack is not inserted all the way	Remove debris from battery port and terminals using a dry cloth or non-conductive brush.
The side cover contains debris.	Remove the battery pack, then remove the side cover and clean out the debris.
The battery pack is cold.	Allow the battery to warm above the minimum operation temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Motor Runs but Chain saw Chain Does not Rotate

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Chain is not engaging drive sprocket.	Reinstall the chain, making sure that the drive links on the chain are fully seated on the sprocket. See “Maintenance and Cleaning” in the Oregon CS300 manual for additional instructions.
The chainsaw bar’s nose sprocket is not turning.	Replace the guide bar. See the Replacing a Worn Guide Bar” section of the Oregon CS300 manual for instructions.

Chain Saw Chain Brake does not Engage

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Debris is preventing the full movement of the hand guard.	Clean the debris off of the external chain brake mechanism.
Possible chain brake malfunction	Contact an approved service location immediately.Warning Operating a chainsaw without a functioning chain brake could lead to serious personal injury

Chain Saw Won’t Cut Properly

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Insufficient chain tension	Tension the saw chain based on the instructions in the Oregon CS300 manual.
Dull chain saw chain	Sharpen the chain using the instructions in the “Sharpening with PowerSharp” section of the Oregon CS300 manual
Chain saw chain is installed backwards	Make sure the saw chain is looped onto the drive sprocket so that the cutting edges of the teeth along the top of the bar face away from the powerhead. See diagram below.
Worn chain saw chain	Replace the chain and stone. They are designed to wear at the same rate.
Dry or excessively stretched chain	Check the oil level. Refill the oil reservoir if necessary following the instructions in the "Filling the Bar and Chain Oil Reservoir" section of the Oregon CS300 manual. Check for a clogged oil system. A small amount of oil should be delivered to the bar.
The chain is not in the bar groove	Feed the chain into the groove of the bar. Rotate the chain tensioning gear to slide the bar away from the motor to remove slack from the chain. See diagram below.

Alarm Beeps when the Trigger is Pulled

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Motor is overheated from heavy use	Let the saw cool down before you begin cutting again.
The chain brake is engaged.	Before starting, make sure the hand guard is in the rearward-most position (with the chain brake disengaged). For correct hand guard positioning, see the first diagram in this article.

Chain saw battery pack does not charge

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Battery pack over/under temperature protection is activated	This may occur when the saw is run continuously or exposed to high ambient temperatures. Allow the chain saw battery pack to reach the acceptable temperature before charging. If the battery pack is hotter than 104 degrees Fahrenheit/40 degrees Celsius, the battery pack will display a steady orange light. Note: You can leave the pack on the charger while the temperate adjusts. Charging will begin when the pack reaches the right temperature.
Dirty or damaged contacts on battery pack or charger	Inspect the contacts on both the chainsaw’s battery pack and its charger. If necessary, the pack and charger according to the instructions in the Oregon CS300 manual.
Battery pack is at the end of its life	All batteries have a limited shelf life. If the chain saw battery pack is more than two years old or has been recharged frequently, it may be time to replace it. Replace only with the battery pack specified for the CS 300.
Charger is faulty	Have the function checked at an approved service location.

Low Cutting Time per Battery Charge

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Dull chain saw chain	Sharpen the chain using the instructions in the “Sharpening with PowerSharp” section of the Oregon CS300 manual. Do not cut with dull chain saw chain, since doing so will increase the risk for kickback and can produce jagged cuts.
Worn chain saw chain	Replace the chain following the instructions in the manual.
Dry chain	Check the oil level and refill oil reservoir if necessary.
Over-tensioned chain	Tension the chain according to the instructions in the manual.
Improper cutting technique	Follow best practices for cutting as outlined in the manual. Do not cut materials other than wood or use dull chain. Hold the saw the right way. Maintain a steady speed while cutting.
Debris in side cover	Remove the battery pack and the side cover. Then, clean out debris.
Battery pack is at the end of its life	Recharge the chain saw battery pack.

Blinking Orange Light on Charge State Indicator

Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Charger short circuit, charger over current, over voltage limit, open circuit on battery pack, or charge/pre-charge time out error	Make sure the charger cord is connected to both the charger and the electrical outlet. Make sure the charger is receiving the correct voltage. Try charging another battery pack designed for this charger. If this not correct the problem, have the function checked at an approved service location.