Electric bikes or e-bikes are getting more popular day by day. Much of this popularity is due to people opting for more environmentally friendly ways of getting around, and city infrastructure allowing e-bikes to be used easily.
The increase in walkable city infrastructure and architecture supporting e-bikes is one of the major reasons e-bike usage continues to grow.
E-bikes come in various styles, and constitute an electric motor that allows you to travel quickly to places. There are different modes of an electric bike, and you can bike normally using this invention, or opt for cruise control when you’re tired.
Like any machine, an e-bike also has its limitations. The battery won’t always work like it’s supposed to, and the machine may malfunction.
If you’re wondering why your e-bike won’t turn on, we’re here to tell you what the problem may be.
Reasons E-Bike Won’t Turn On
Before we try to understand why your e-bike won’t turn on, you must know that E-bikes are bikes with batteries and motors attached to them.
These bikes are generally used to commute to work; thus, e-bikes not turning on can be an issue for people who rely on them. In any case, here are some common reasons your e-bike won’t turn on.
Less Battery Power
If you’re taking your e-bike to work every morning and forgot to charge it the day before, chances are you’re on low battery power.
There’s a simple solution to this problem; you have to connect your battery to the power unit and ensure that it’s working the way it’s supposed to.
Sometimes even if you charge it, your e-bike still won’t work. When such a thing happens, you should take your e-bike into the shop to see if your battery works well.
Most people don’t keep in mind to charge their bikes in a temperature-controlled environment. To restore the battery power, ensure you charge your bike in the proper environment.
Overcharging and Fried Battery
With any electrical device, like your iPhone or your e-bike, you must maintain a healthy charging pattern. Overcharging is an easy way for you to reduce the life of your battery.
Most experts recommend that you only charge to 85% if it’s a Lithium-ion battery, like most batteries used in e-bikes. Charging the normal amount will also mean that you’ll need to replace the battery less quickly.
Improper Connections
Sometimes when we’re in a hurry, we might not charge our e-bikes correctly. It may be the case that the connections aren’t properly configured.
Maybe we haven’t fit the charger into place, or the connections just got loose over time. In any case, you can hook the connections into place so that they fit better.
Sometimes the connections loosen because debris or mud is caught in between them. You can clean out that debris between the connections so the plugs aren’t contaminated.
Once the connections are clear, you can charge the battery pack, and your e-bike will return to life.
Lack of Connection Between Spoke Magnet and Sensor
E-bikes work using a spoke magnet and another sensor working together to understand how the bike is working.
If there’s improper alignment between the sensor and the magnet, chances are you won’t get a bike that allows cruise control. Your e-bike won’t even register any speed this way, regardless of how much you peddle.
The fix is simple, however. You only need to realign the sensor with the magnet so the two can work together. Your magnet and sensor must work well so that your e-bike works. When the two parts are cohesive, you will find that the motor works well.
Issues with the Electronic Braking System
Certain e-bikes also have an electronic braking system that gets jammed. You may be in trouble if your handbrake or the electronic brakes are no longer functioning. The handbrake may lock the wheels so that they won’t work.
The easiest thing to do is check all the connections and ensure everything is in place. Sometimes a braking cable is too tight and will close in on the brake pads of your e-bike.
We recommend that you test the connections to the braking system. Some WD-40 and cleaning can unclog most connections and ensure you don’t have issues.
If all the connections seem proper, you can manually loosen the brakes for your bike ride home. Then, please take it to a professional so they may fix it.
The E-Bike Battery Has Moisture
E-bikes are a relatively new technology that is extremely sensitive to moisture. If the battery of an e-bike gets a degree of moisture in it, there will be issues with turning it on.
Water can also enter your battery if you’re careless about cleaning methods. Never tip your e-bike upside down when cleaning it, as water may enter the connections.
However, if that’s the reason, then the fix is simple. You only need to dry your e-bike and leave it in the sun. Once it’s dry, you can see if the e-bike’s working again. Before buying an e-bike, check whether it has a protective seal.
Batteries with protective seals are much more likely to last and be reliable for longer.
Controller Issues
The controller is part of your e-bike that will measure and control the speed you can reach with your e-bike. The controller ensures you can turn your e-bikes on and off and monitor the speed.
If the controller doesn’t work properly, it could be a safety issue for you, and you may not be able to stop the e-bike once it’s in motion.
One way of checking your controller is by taking the e-bike for a test drive. If you can’t accelerate or stop your e-bike, it may be time to check your controller.
Ways to Troubleshoot Your E-Bike
Now that we know the possible reasons for your e-bike not working, we can always find ways to troubleshoot the e-bike if issues persist.
Test the Battery
The main reason your bike is not working may be because the battery is not working.
You can troubleshoot your battery in several ways, including checking the connections and ensuring that the battery is completely charged.
You must maintain the battery throughout the life of your e-bike so it doesn’t cause any major issues.
Test the Motor
The motor, battery, and controller are interconnected. Thus, if your e-bike doesn’t turn on, it may affect your motor. You can troubleshoot your motor to ensure all the connections work properly.
If the motor is making weird noises or not responding, it may have burnt out.
Test the Brakes
In e-bikes, the brakes are also electronic, so your bike may not work if the brakes are jammed. Check all the connections attached to the brakes and see if that helps bring the e-bike back to life.
The brake pads should also not be worn out to the point that they don’t register the force you’re applying.
Test the Display
Apart from your controller, the display is also important for your e-bike. It shows the bike’s speed and lets you choose between several options, like cruise control.
If the display doesn’t work for you, then try checking the connections for your display. You probably need a new screen if the connections are in place and it still doesn’t work.
Test the Tires
Sometimes, e-bikes won’t turn on because the tires are deflated, and the sensor doesn’t align with the spoke magnet.
When the spoke magnet and sensor aren’t aligned, your e-bike won’t turn on. Thus, the only fix is to inflate your tires and align the magnet and sensor.
Scan the Internet
Different e-bike models have different troubleshooting settings. Thus, if none of the above guidelines work out for you, you can log on to the internet and look through special guidelines for your specific model.
Final Thoughts
E-bikes are one of the best ways to get around in a city. They are reliable most of the time. However, since e-bikes are machines, there will be times when they don’t cooperate.
To ensure that your e-bikes work all the time, you must conduct the proper maintenance.
The major reasons that an e-bike won’t work are due to issues with the battery or motor. Thus, it’s best to ensure these systems work before you embark on a journey.
If you try all the different methods of getting your bike to work and are still left with a bike that won’t turn on, you may have to travel to your nearest e-bike shop. The professionals there will have much more information on how to get your e-bike started.
For more information, you can always contact bike enthusiasts or people with the same e-bike model as you.
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