How to detect faults on your electric bike?

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Comment détecter les pannes sur son vélo électrique ?

On an electric bike, as on any mechanical device, breakdowns are not uncommon. Some are more common than others, we will see in this article, those that come back often, but do not panic, here are some tips to remedy some of them.

How to detect faults on your electric bike? Your electric bike has problems? The battery is losing autonomy? Why does my electric bike cut out while riding? How do you know if the battery of an electric bike is dead? So many questions that we will try to answer.
Here we go!

The most common breakdowns on an electric bike

Among the breakdowns that can happen on an electric bike , some of them are quite common. Here are some tips to overcome some of the inconveniences that can affect:

  • Your bike won't turn on? :
  • This is a problem that often comes from problems with the battery or connections. So the first thing to do is to check the condition of the battery, make sure it is properly inserted and secured and if it is properly charged.
  • If your battery is old, it may be time to change it.
  • Battery failures are the most common for electric bikes, as a result, the battery may take a long time to charge or conversely may charge too quickly, the autonomy of your e-bike is reduced.

  • Your bike cuts out while riding?
    If your bike cuts out while riding, not only is it frustrating, it can also be potentially dangerous.
  • Sudden power outages are caused by a variety of factors, including loose battery connections, an undercharged battery, engine overheating, or problems with the electronic controller.
  • It is advisable to have your bike checked regularly by a professional, it is not uncommon for the connections to move with the vibrations of the road which produces false contacts or overheating of the components.

  • Your electric assistance no longer works?
    First of all, you should try to detect the problem, to do this you must check the battery level and that it is working properly. You need to test the motor and the pedal sensor, make sure that your motor does not make strange noises, see if the sensor detects pedaling well.
  • Of course, you should also check the wiring and control system to see if all cables are well connected and in good condition, if your controller has a user interface, see if there are any error codes.
  • How to detect faults on your electric bike? If after all the checks you cannot find the problem, it is best to call a professional maintenance service.

  • Your screen no longer lights up? :
    Most of the time, when the VAE screen no longer lights up, it could be the display battery which can discharge quickly, especially if your bike has been inactive for a while.
  • So, first of all, you need to make sure that the battery is sufficiently charged. This could also be due to a wiring problem.

Battery related issues

The battery is often responsible for the majority of breakdowns on electric bikes. This leads to reduced autonomy, charging too quickly or conversely charging too slowly and incompletely, normal wear and tear of an old battery, poor battery management or it can also come from connectivity problems.

  • How to know if the battery is dead? :
    First of all, you need to check the connections and make sure they are clean and well connected. You also need to charge the battery correctly following the manufacturer's advice, you should never let an electric bike battery completely discharge.
  • To check the battery status you need to check the voltage, most often the standard voltage is 36 volts, the latest models have a voltage between 40 and 42 volts. Test the battery with a multimeter to check its voltage and current .
  • After a few hours of charging, you will also be able to see if the battery lights are OK or not.
  • Bad battery contacts :
    A bad battery contact is a fault that occurs when the electrical connection between the battery and the bicycle's electrical system is not stable or is interrupted. There are several reasons for this, such as loose connections, dust, corrosion on the connectors, damaged wires.
    If your e-bike does not turn on at all when you press the power button, there is probably a bad battery contact.
  • To see the problem, you need to check the connections between the battery and the electrical system. When the connections are unstable, they can temporarily disconnect, causing the electric bike to stop.
  • Another indication of a bad battery contact is an inconsistent battery gauge, if the charge levels are fluctuating or incorrect this could be due to loose or unstable connections.
  • If you hear unusual noises or sparks at the battery connections, this also indicates a poor contact.
  • Before seeing a professional, you must: check the connections, check the wires, use a dielectric lubricant and if despite all these checks the problems persist, contact a professional.

Tips to avoid bad battery contacts:

  • Check connections and wires regularly (tight and in good condition).
  • Avoid humid or dusty environments.
  • If the bike is not used for a long period of time, disconnect the battery and store it in a cool, dry place.
  • Have your electric bike serviced regularly by a professional.

Engine and Sensor Problems

The engine does not provide any assistance? Engine problems can be related to the engine directly or they can also come from other factors, the display may be defective or the battery may be discharged.

The sensors, in turn, regulate the transmission of power from the engine to the drive system.

This ensures the right driving feel and assistance. The internal sensors of the motor for pedaling frequency and power transmission can sometimes have faults.

  • Faulty Pedal Sensor : Signs of a Pedal Sensor Problem:
    The motor does not activate, the assistance of the electric bike is intermittent, it works jerkily or intermittently.

  • Common error codes :
    All e-bikes display an error code on the display or in the app if there is a problem. Interpreting error messages example: Shimano STEPS error codes

  • Problems specific to electric motors :
    Problems more specific to electric motors are common for electric bikes, this often causes a loss of power, strange noises, a lack of response from the electric assistance, this can come from manufacturing defects, wiring problems or normal wear of the motor. To establish the diagnosis, it is best to consult a professional.

How to diagnose a fault yourself?

Electric bike breakdowns can be related to all the elements we have just seen. Of course, the battery remains the vital part of an electric bike. Its location and mode of operation can be linked to the damage it can suffer.

To diagnose battery problems yourself, most of the time the problems noted will be, a battery that does not turn on, a loss of autonomy noted, lights that remain off, a battery that turns off and turns back on after a full charge, a battery that no longer recharges.

When it comes to engine failures, most often the noise will be the telltale sign and of course, if the engine stops running.

As for controller failures, or the operating system of your bike, it is advisable to check the wires, that they are tight, well connected above all.

The color of the wires matches the color of the plugs. Check that the power switch is on, check the fuse.

Wiring and various connections should often be checked. Due to the vibrations that occur while driving, it is not uncommon for cables to become loose or disconnected, so this should be checked.

It is still advisable to have your electric bike serviced by a professional. 

When to consult a professional?

With regular checks by a professional regarding the diagnosis of your electric bike, you can extend the life of your bike.

Taking good care of your bike also saves you money on expensive parts.

As a general rule, you should have your electric bike checked by a professional once a year. However, if error codes appear on your screen, if components seem to be causing problems, it is still preferable to have the bike diagnosed immediately, even if you can, as we have seen, carry out certain checks yourself.

With regular maintenance and follow-up by professionals, the lifespan of your bike will inevitably be longer, think about it!

Conclusion

You can now carry out the main checks to be carried out regularly on your electric bike yourself. Now you can more easily detect the origin of a breakdown.

Obviously, if you are not an experienced DIYer, it will always be preferable at the slightest sign of failure to have your bike diagnosed by a professional.

It is necessary to take into consideration all the manufacturer's advice when purchasing your bike, take care of your battery which is the fundamental element of the bike, do what is necessary if your bike is to remain inactive for a long time.

If you ride very often, checking the cables and wires is necessary, it is done regularly, because due to vibrations, the connections can move.

If you maintain your bike properly and carefully, if you have it serviced at least once a year by a specialist workshop, you will guarantee more kilometers to be done in complete safety with your bike!

You can see this article and video on the theme: Why are Swiss city dwellers won over by the use of theColibri model from Batoo ?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the breakdowns of a bicycle?

The most common breakdowns on an electric bike can come from the battery, the motor, the LCD display, the pedal sensor or the cables disconnected or loosened due to the vibrations created while riding. Regular monitoring is essential.

Why doesn't my electric bike work anymore?

If your electric bike is no longer working, there may be several reasons, too frequent charging cycles on the battery that may need to be changed. Poor maintenance and poor monitoring of your bike.

Poor bike management, frequent washing creating humidity that causes many problems. A poorly protected bike in case of prolonged inactivity

How long does an electric bicycle motor last?

On high-end bike models, the engine can last for more than 20,000 kilometers of use. After 10,000 or 20,000 kilometers, the engine may no longer perform as well as before.

Regular monitoring and maintenance of the bike can ensure a longer engine life.

Where are the sensors on an electric bike?

On an electric bike, the torque sensors are mounted either on the frame mounting bracket, the rear wheel axle housed in the frame, or at the bottom bracket.

The speed sensor is located at the rear of the bike, usually in the left chainstay. This element is placed on the wheel to determine the speed at which the bike is moving.

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