Problem using 2 motors

Question

I would like both the motors to spin the attached wheels forward when I push the joystick forward and vice versa. When the joystick is still, the motors should stop spinning. At the moment, when I push the joystick on x-axis and my x variable increases both motors spin, but when I push it in the opposite direction and x decreases, only motor A spins. Additionaly when I connect the arduino to the power (usb cable to my pc), motor B spins for approx 1 second and then stops.

This is the circuit I have (sorry for a lack of schematic, let's hope this wonderful drawing is enough): Text

The code:

int MotorAA = 7;
int MotorAB = 8;
int MotorBA = 11;
int MotorBB = 12;
int x = 0;
void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);
 
 
 pinMode(MotorAA, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(MotorAB, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(MotorBA, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(MotorBB, OUTPUT);
 digitalWrite(MotorAA, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorAB, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorBA, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorBB, LOW);
}
void loop() {
 x = analogRead(A0);
 Move();
 Serial.println(x);
}
void Move() {
 if (x == 0){
 return;
 }
 
 if (x > 520)
 {
 digitalWrite(MotorAA, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(MotorAB, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorBA, HIGH);
 digitalWrite(MotorBB, LOW);
 }
 else if (x < 480)
 {
 digitalWrite(MotorAA, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorAB, HIGH);
 
 digitalWrite(MotorBA, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorBB, HIGH);
 }
 else{
 digitalWrite(MotorAA, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorAB, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorBA, LOW);
 digitalWrite(MotorBB, LOW);
 }
}

• Delta_G: How much current are the motor pulling? Powering DC motors off the Arduino board is usually a recipe for smoke. The 5V pin is not there to power your project. You need to power the motors separately.
• Magalek: @Delta_G Thank you for answering. I've connected the motor driver module to the usb charger with 5V and still the same. When I connected the meter between the motor driver and the motor it showed ~0,12A.
• Magalek: @jsotola Good point, I'll update the post. I would like the motors to spin the attached wheels forward when I push the joystick forward and vice versa. When the joystick is still, the motors should stop spinning.
• jsotola: isolate the area of failure ... swap the A lines with the B lines ... does the problem stay with the motor? ... does it move ? .... switch the motors ... does the problem follow the motor? .... that kind of testing will allow you to determine where the failure is occuring
• Magalek: @jsotola Strangely enough, when I left only the ground and power connected to the driver, motor B acts the same. I thought that without powering the motor a and b pins on the driver, it shouldn't move.

Answer 1

The Arduino can definitely not power that many motors. The Arduino's max output current is 0.1A and you might be drawing around 0.5A. Use an external battery like a LiPo battery for the motor controller.

NOTE: Please watch out! Drawing that many amps from Arduino can kill it! So please use the LiPo or normal batteries!