How to Fix an Electric Scooter | E-Scooter Repair Guide

It can get very frustrating when your perfectly working electric scooter is suddenly not working. But just like any motor-powered vehicle, parts and components will go through wear and tear. Once something malfunctions, you will feel something weird going on with your electric scooter, or, in worst case scenarios, it might not even turn on. 

Don’t worry though, because is a solution to your problem, and most broken electric scooters can get fixed. Depending on the problem, it could be something that a little electric scooter troubleshooting can fix. 

More serious problems might involve part replacements. Most manufacturers, however, will supply the spare parts you need, especially if your unit is still under warranty. 

Anyone with or without DIY experience can learn the basics of how to fix an electric scooter, and this electric scooter repair guide will show you everything you need to know. However, we cannot guarantee that we can fix the complicated problems such as a bricked circuit board.

We can assure you that you will learn how to troubleshoot and fix the most common electric scooter problems. Here at Zippy Electrics, we get that you don’t want to give up on your electric scooter right away the first time it stops working.  

The best electric scooters can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. It will be such a waste if you can’t get it fixed even when the warranty period ended. However…

Should I Fix an Electric Scooter Myself?

Well, given that you came here to read this electric scooter repair guide, you are half-way to being ready and confident to fix your electric scooter. If you feel confident and have the basic tools to open up and inspect your electric scooter, then you should try to at least check out what is going on.

Remember to do this only after the warranty has ended. 

We are not forcing you to fix your electric scooter if you are not comfortable. You can always contact the manufacturer and ask them where their nearest service centers are to get your ride repaired by a professional, especially if the problem is pretty serious. 

If you are not sure where to get your electric scooter repaired, you can take it to the nearest moped or bicycle repair shops. Since most electric vehicles work similarly, people with experience fixing mopeds may have the knowledge and skills to get to the bottom of your electric scooter problem. 

If you happen to stumble upon a problem that seems like an easy fix, you can always fix it yourself and save you time and money.

How to Fix an Electric Scooter

First off, you need to determine the cause of the problem. Does the electric scooter fail to turn on? Does it turn on, but does not run as smooth as it did when you first bought it? Is it not charging?

Problems like this usually involve battery and motor problems. The solution can be as simple as cleaning the belt or chain drive, restarting the device, or as complicated as replacing parts like the battery or motor components. 

Here are some of the most common electric scooter problems and how to fix them:

Common Electric Scooter Problems

1. Battery is Not Charging

If your electric scooter battery is not charging, make sure you check the charger if it is working. You can try to use a different charger to see if it works, and if it does, then your charger is the problem. If the charger is working, make sure to check for loose wires and connectors. 

Solution: 

The most common solutions for this problem is to clean the charging ports, replace the charger if it’s not working, or restart your device. 

2. The Battery is Dead

One of the most common causes of a dead battery is that your scooter has been stored for too long without any juice left. This problem can also occur if your battery is extremely drained. 

Solution:

The best solution to your dead battery problem is to charge it for a long time. If it still doesn’t work, you might need to replace the battery. Before anything else, make sure the battery is charging and the indicator says so. 

You can also try to turn on the scooter when it is plugged. If it turns on but immediately dies when you remove the plug, then you are up for a battery replacement. 

3. Electric Scooter Won’t Turn On

There can be more than one reason for this problem to occur. It can be because your:

• Battery is dead
• A fuse is blown
• The kill switch is on

Solution:

If the battery is dead, replace the battery. However, make sure it is not a charger issue, and refer to the first item on the list. 

If you think a fuse is blown or flipped, check if the fuses are flipped in the “on” position, and try to start it up once more. 

Some electric scooters have a kill switch that is put there to save energy. If your electric scooter’s motor has a kill switch, make sure it is turned off. 

If none of these troubleshooting tips work, make sure you read through the list or take it to a trusted repair shop. 

4. The Motor is Not Functioning or Running

If the scooter lights up and turns on but the motor is not running, it can be because of a blown fuse. Open the motor hub (1) carefully and check the circuit breaker if there are blown fuses. If there is a switch on the breaker, flip the switch and check if it resets your motor. 

Solution:

If there are obvious burned parts on the circuit board and motor, then you need a motor replacement. If there is a circuit breaker, the problem may be fixed by simply flipping the switch. 

5. Motor is Overheating

If you feel that your motor is heating up more than usual, it could possibly mean that your electric scooter’s motor is a little worn out. Make sure you stay away from the overheating motor as it can get scorching hot.

Solution: 

You can get it replaced, and most models have replacement parts for sale. In fact, some companies even have youTube videos that will teach you how to safely replace the electric scooter motor with ease. 

6. Brake Failure

If you feel that your brakes are acting weird or not as effective as usual, do not ride your electric scooter and find a way to fix the problem first. Riding your electric scooter with problematic brakes can be very dangerous, so make sure you fix it first. 

Solution:

Without replacing the brakes, the solution can be as simple as adjusting or realigning your brake calipers. Brakes can get loose from time to time, and this is normal. If this method does not solve your brake problem, you can also check and adjust the cable tension. Make sure you contact a professional if you cannot fix the problem yourself. 

7. The Electric Scooter is Slow

If you feel a problem with acceleration and your electric scooter is significantly slower than usual, it can be a battery issue. Make sure your battery is fully charged before testing it out again and ruling out other problems. 

Solution:

You can check the tires if they are at the right tire pressure, check the speed mode, and make sure your brakes are adjusted properly. If none of these solutions work, you can try to replace the battery, especially if your electric scooter is pretty old. 

Hiring a Professional

Hiring a professional is the best way to get your electric scooter fixed. You should only try to fix your electric scooter if you are confident enough. Otherwise, you might cause more problems if you are not confident with your skills. 

Electric Scooter Maintenance

To prevent problems in the future, here are some good practices you should do if you ride an electric scooter. 

Do a quick inspection before each ride

Every time you ride your electric scooter, make sure you do a quick inspection beforehand, especially if you haven’t used your electric scooter in a while. Check if the lights are working, the battery levels, tire pressure, and wires. Tighten any loose screws as well. 

Ride the scooter the way it is intended

Do not ride a commuting electric scooter on off-road terrain if it is not equipped for it. This practice can cause unnecessary wear that could lead to complications. If you are planning to ride on dirt roads or go on adventure riding, make sure you choose a good off-road electric scooter for the job. 

Inspect the tires and brakes

For your safety and peace of mind, always check the brakes and tires before using your electric scooter. Correct tire pressure helps prevent accidents, contributes to an easier ride and greater potential riding range, and extends tire life. A fully functional brake ensures your e-ride stops when you activate the brake. 

Practice good battery and charging routines

The battery is probably the first component to show signs of wear. Batteries usually have a fixed lifespan, but practicing good charging techniques can slow down the deterioration and make the electric scooter battery last longer.

Some of the best tips is to:

• Use the charger that came with the unit. Using a different charger can usually cause unnecessary wear on the battery because every battery has specific power requirements that only the original charger can provide. 
•  Don’t let the battery reach below 20%. Some commutes can drain your battery dry before you get home. It is unavoidable to drain your battery, but do not let it happen frequently. The best way to maintain your battery lifespan is to charge it when it reaches 50%. 
• Don’t overcharge. Yes, some batteries have overheating and overcharge protection, but that does not mean it is always okay to leave your battery plugged-in more than the recommended amount of time after it is 100% full. 

FAQs

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_hub_motor