Just received my merit 715T plus, assembled it, plugged it in. the console display comes on, but then nothing happens. i press the buttons and nothing happens. the safety key is in, and i opened the compartment where the motor is and all wires are connected, as well as behind the console. any ideas of why this is happening?

The belt tension is fractionally too slack.

follow the instruction and fix it. God bless you

The Steps for Newer Style Console Calibration:

1. Locate the calibration area on the rear or underside of the console (a hole, near the console's center, that goes through to the electronics board. (This hole should not have a screw in it.)
   

2. Insert a pencil (eraser end), into the hole and feel around for the cal button (will click when pressed).
   

3. Press the button 2 times (with the pencil eraser). The first click should show CL11 in the console, the second click should show CL21.
   

4. If the process was done correctly, and CL21 appears in the console, you are in "calibration mode." The next few steps consists of pressing buttons on the console and observing settings. This will not require any other tools.
   

5. Press ENTER. CL22 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

6. Press ENTER. CL23 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

7. Press ENTER. CL24 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

8. Press ENTER. CL25 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

9. Press ENTER. CL26 should display in the TIME window. You should then see the letter "E."
   

10. Press ENTER. You should see "SS" or "55" in the console.
    

11. Push the STOP/START button. For safety, at this point, you should step off, or be off, the treadmill.
    

12. Push the ENTER button. The walking belt should start to move, accelerate to maximum speed, then stop on its own.
    

13. When the belt stops, the incline should self test by raising to its highest incline position, then lowering back down to its lowest position.
    

14. Once the incline test is complete, push the POWER button 2 times. The unit should shut off and the console should go completely blank. If this happens, the treadmill is done calibrating and is ready for use.
    

15. If the letter "F" appears in the SPEED or INCLINE window when the power button is pressed 2 times, the treadmill is indicating a failure somewhere either in the SPEED or INCLINE (depending on the window the "F" appeared in). Troubleshooting the failure would be the next step.
    

please follow this steps and fix it. God bless you

The Steps for Newer Style Console Calibration:

1. Locate the calibration area on the rear or underside of the console (a hole, near the console's center, that goes through to the electronics board. (This hole should not have a screw in it.)
   

2. Insert a pencil (eraser end), into the hole and feel around for the cal button (will click when pressed).
   

3. Press the button 2 times (with the pencil eraser). The first click should show CL11 in the console, the second click should show CL21.
   

4. If the process was done correctly, and CL21 appears in the console, you are in "calibration mode." The next few steps consists of pressing buttons on the console and observing settings. This will not require any other tools.
   

5. Press ENTER. CL22 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

6. Press ENTER. CL23 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

7. Press ENTER. CL24 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

8. Press ENTER. CL25 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

9. Press ENTER. CL26 should display in the TIME window. You should then see the letter "E."
   

10. Press ENTER. You should see "SS" or "55" in the console.
    

11. Push the STOP/START button. For safety, at this point, you should step off, or be off, the treadmill.
    

12. Push the ENTER button. The walking belt should start to move, accelerate to maximum speed, then stop on its own.
    

13. When the belt stops, the incline should self test by raising to its highest incline position, then lowering back down to its lowest position.
    

14. Once the incline test is complete, push the POWER button 2 times. The unit should shut off and the console should go completely blank. If this happens, the treadmill is done calibrating and is ready for use.
    

15. If the letter "F" appears in the SPEED or INCLINE window when the power button is pressed 2 times, the treadmill is indicating a failure somewhere either in the SPEED or INCLINE (depending on the window the "F" appeared in). Troubleshooting the failure would be the next step.
    

see this instruction and fix it. God bless you

The Steps for Newer Style Console Calibration:

1. Locate the calibration area on the rear or underside of the console (a hole, near the console's center, that goes through to the electronics board. (This hole should not have a screw in it.)
   

2. Insert a pencil (eraser end), into the hole and feel around for the cal button (will click when pressed).
   

3. Press the button 2 times (with the pencil eraser). The first click should show CL11 in the console, the second click should show CL21.
   

4. If the process was done correctly, and CL21 appears in the console, you are in "calibration mode." The next few steps consists of pressing buttons on the console and observing settings. This will not require any other tools.
   

5. Press ENTER. CL22 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

6. Press ENTER. CL23 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

7. Press ENTER. CL24 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

8. Press ENTER. CL25 should display in the TIME window and (??) in the SPEED window.
   

9. Press ENTER. CL26 should display in the TIME window. You should then see the letter "E."
   

10. Press ENTER. You should see "SS" or "55" in the console.
    

11. Push the STOP/START button. For safety, at this point, you should step off, or be off, the treadmill.
    

12. Push the ENTER button. The walking belt should start to move, accelerate to maximum speed, then stop on its own.
    

13. When the belt stops, the incline should self test by raising to its highest incline position, then lowering back down to its lowest position.
    

14. Once the incline test is complete, push the POWER button 2 times. The unit should shut off and the console should go completely blank. If this happens, the treadmill is done calibrating and is ready for use.
    

15. If the letter "F" appears in the SPEED or INCLINE window when the power button is pressed 2 times, the treadmill is indicating a failure somewhere either in the SPEED or INCLINE (depending on the window the "F" appeared in). Troubleshooting the failure would be the next step.
    

LUBE THE DECK BELT, this produce shut down by lack of maintenance in according with the instruction manual. Maybe you have a deck belt worn.

2) Lube the rollers bearing too in according with the instruction manual.

3) Test the drive belt, and see if need replace or adjust .

sincerely. God bless you.

Unplug the machine for about 5 minutes then plug back in to reset control. If still no display, replace control.

Kelly

I just found out I had lost my key too. I have a Merit 710T. I called the company and they directed me to their website.

http://store.horizonfitness.com/c-33-safety-keys.aspx

On the page there is a link to a chart which will tell you what key is right for your model. They are cheap, only @ $13. Not sure about S&H though. I've also heard that if the key is a magnet you MIGHT be able to use another magnet to complete the circuit. I'm going to try this when I get home to tide me over till I get my next check and order a new key.

You can get the manual on the link below. Just scroll down to product details then click on manual.

http://www.amazon.com/Horizon-Fitness-730T-Merit-Treadmill/dp/B000GVKBUW

Good Luck please rate 4 thumbs up and please leave a testimonial

console is malfunctioning and needs replaced

Plug the indicated end of the Transformer into the Rear Mech Cover . Plug the other end of the Transformer into a 120-volt outlet. All indicators and displays on the console will flash once; the console will then be ready for use. The motor may be heard while the resistance system calibrates itself. Important: Always plug in the transformer when using the resistance system.
Then, press and hold the NEXT button and the motorize resistance + button for five seconds. When the buttons are released, a number will appear in the REPS display. Press the NEXT button again, and then press the MOTORIZED RESISTANCE + button; this will start the recalibration process. This may take a few seconds as the motor moves between the lowest and highest resistance settings. When the motor finishes, unplug the transformer from the 120-volt outlet.
If you cannot hear the motor reset it self or cannot see display then with multi meter check DC voltage if not replace transformer , if you have DC voltage you will need to remove the cover locate the motor assembly disconnect the assembly from the upper electronics. Then apply a 12v DC voltage to the motor and see if it engages easily if not then replace motor. If motor functions properly replace connector back on the motor and use a multi meter connect it to motor and plug in the transformer and you should see DC voltage going to motor if not replace upper console.