it can be caused by a battery that is in the process of dying, or is at the end of its charge. However I would look into the wiring/motor if you gearbox is locking up. I know for a fact that echo 1's motors suck.... I could not get them to pull an M120 on my TM gearbox. It could also be motor height, or the wiring is frayed somewhere. First I would use a different 8.4V battery, if that doesn't work then I would adjust the motor height(not allot but a half turn-full turn at most), if that doesnt work I would ship it to a smith and have them re-wire it/diagnose the problem. The wiring sucks anyways, even if thats not the problem have them replace it with good wiring(Systema is what most will recommend).
sticks