Owning an electric scooter is a fun and convenient experience. After all, you get to go anywhere at any time because they are portable and battery-charged. However, as with any vehicle owner, you also need to be mindful of using your e-scooter to avoid damaging it, or else, you might end up with expensive repair and maintenance costs.
However, in some cases, common and minor electric scooter issues can be fixed on your own. Just remember to take proper caution when trying to fix your electric scooter. If fixing your electric scooter on your own doesn’t work, it’s best to call for a technician to help.
Always prioritise your safety, and, as much as possible, don’t touch components that you are unsure how to repair. With this said, here are common electric scooter issues that you should know and how to fix them.
Issue 1: The battery dies
Surprisingly, dead batteries are a common issue with electric scooters. This can be a result of a defective battery, improper charging, extremely cold temperature, or a slowly degrading battery capacity.
Take note that a dead battery is different from a low battery. A dead battery suddenly does not turn on anymore, while a low battery has a few energy charges left. The latter can simply be resolved by charging the battery.
How to fix a dead battery
To fix a dead battery, you may simply charge it. However, take note that it will take longer to completely charge the battery. To avoid this, make sure that your battery never runs out of charge. Always charge your electric scooter battery at the end of the day.
If it’s not charging, try plugging the battery in other sockets, and see if it will charge. It’s also a good idea to invest in a voltmeter to check if your battery is charging or not. If it’s still not charging, replace your battery with a new one, and discard the old one.
Issue 2: The engine heats up
Excessive engine heat can be caused by a poor environment or handling such as high temperatures or overloading. When you feel your electric scooter engine heating up, turn off your electric scooter and fix it immediately. Otherwise, it could impact your engine and battery negatively.
How to fix a heated engine
As mentioned, turn off your electric scooter first, and let it cool down before checking it. Once it’s safe to touch the e-scooter, check the wiring, fuse, or electrical controller for issues. Wiring and fuse issues mean that your e-scooter can still run. However, you should call your technician immediately to fix this problem. In the meantime, avoid riding your electric scooter until it is fixed.
Issue 3: The fuse blows
Overloading is often the reason why the fuse blows or the circuit breaker trips. When your fuse blows, your electric scooter will not turn on. If you often blow your fuse, it could damage your speed controller or motor eventually.
How to fix a fuse blow
When your electric scooter doesn’t respond, check if the main ignition fuses are turned on. If it’s not, switch it on, and start the engine again. If it doesn’t start, you need to replace it with a new fuse. It’s best to have a technician remove and replace your broken fuse for your safety.
Issue 4: The scooter is slowing down
If your electric scooter is slowing down or stopping during trips, especially on flat roads, this is a sign that your batteries are wearing down. Fortunately, there’s a way to fix this.
How to fix worn-down batteries
Unfortunately, the only way to fix this is by replacing them with a new one. Since your battery is already at the end of its lifespan, it’s best to switch to a new one to avoid any inconvenience. However, if you can’t replace your battery yet, making sure that you don’t undercharge or overcharge your battery will help prolong its lifespan.
If you want to make the most out of your electric scooter battery life, here are our tips to maximise your battery.
Issue 5: The kill switch is on
Some electric scooters have a kill switch, which is used to help you save energy after using your electric scooter. It’s often recommended to turn the kill switch on when the e-scooter is not in use or while it’s charging.
How to fix a turned on kill switch
Before checking for a low or dead battery, check if the kill switch is turned on. If it’s turned on, simply switch it off and then restart your engine. If it’s not, check the battery and then the engine. If you can’t determine why your engine isn’t starting, it’s best to bring it to your technician immediately.
Issue 6: The speed controller is faulty
Another common electric scooter issue is a faulty speed controller. The speed controller manages your speed and keeps it within a predefined range. It's an essential part of your e-scooter, but it’s also prone to damage if you don’t take care of your e-scooter.
How to fix electric scooter speed controller
If you have a defective speed controller, you will need to dismantle the speed controller first. Then, tighten loose wires or replace damaged wires. After this, reassemble it back together. Be careful when reassembling to avoid making mistakes and to keep you safe. Make sure to test your electric scooter if the acceleration is running smoothly.
Issue 7: There is little to no acceleration
This is similar to the previous issue. After all, it’s regarding your speed. If you’re not moving or accelerating fast on flat ground, then there’s something wrong with your e-scooter.
How to fix speed or acceleration issue
To fix this, check your speed controller or fuse. A faulty speed controller or a blown fuse can be the cause of speed issues. You can also check the wires as it may be an electrical issue. If there’s no problem with your controller, fuse, and wiring, have a professional check it immediately.
Issue 8: The battery charger is defective
Chargers can sometimes become faulty if you are overcharging or plugging them in a socket with a higher or lower voltage. Having a defective charger can be quite inconvenient since you need it to use your e-scooter.
How to fix defective electric scooter charger
First, try to plug the charger into other sockets and see if it works. There’s usually a light indicator that shows if it’s receiving electricity. If it’s turned off, you may need to replace your charger with a new one. To be sure, you can use a voltmeter to check your charger’s output. Also, before you buy a new e-scooter charger, make sure that it’s compatible with the power voltage in your home to avoid damaging your new charger.
Issue 9: The electric scooter shuts off while riding
Have you ever experienced your electric scooter turning off while riding? If you have, this means that your circuit breaker has been tripped.
How to fix shut down while riding
Check your fuse or circuit breaker and see if it’s heated or has loose wires. Make sure to secure wires tightly. Steep inclines or overloading can cause the circuit breaker to trip. You can also just wait for a few seconds after your electric scooter has stopped. Then, start it again. To prevent this from happening again, it’s best to have it checked by a professional.
Issue 10: The tyre is flat
This is one of the most common e-scooter problems that you should watch out for if you ride pneumatic or air-filled tyres.
How to fix a flat e-scooter tyre
If there’s a puncture on your tyre, one thing that you can do is to apply tyre sealant. If the puncture is too big, it may be best to replace the tyre itself. However, removing your wheel and the tyre itself may be tricky, depending on your e-scooter model. If you want to learn how to change the wheel, read these electric scooter repair guides for the Mearth S Series and Mearth GTS Series.
Take care of your electric scooter to avoid problems
The best way to fix the common issues above is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Although most electric scooters are low-maintenance and don’t need a thorough cleaning, it pays to have a regular check-up and cleaning for your electric scooter, especially in the long run. Taking care of your electric scooter before, during, and after riding will not only prevent any damage on your e-scooter but also prolong its lifespan and save you from unnecessary costs.
If you would like to learn more tips on taking care of your e-scooter, read our guide on how to maintain your electric scooter
