The electric bike error code: understanding error messages and finding solutions

An electric bike screen (Heybike/Unsplash)

You've taken the plunge and bought an electric bike, and now you're free. However, this type of electrically-assisted bicycle involves the addition of various components, sometimes with varying degrees of reliability. When a problem occurs on your EAB, the display shows an error code. This allows you to identify the source of the problem and easily remedy it. Very often, these are the same anomalies:

• controller or display communication error,
• battery/motor overheating,
• speed sensor incorrectly set,
• pedaling before starting.

However, resolving the error message differs depending on the brand of motor and electric bike. Sometimes it's just a matter of restarting or moving a sensor, while other codes need to be set by your dealer or in the workshop. Here we take a look at the main electric assistances on the market and their most frequent faults.

• Error code W013: the most frequent of the error messages is undoubtedly one of the most benign, since it means pedaling before opening the electric assistance. Simply stop and restart the battery.
• Error code W011/W101: the maximum speed is not 25 km/h or the system cannot detect the speed of the Shimano bike. This occurs when the speed sensor and magnet are not aligned and need to be replaced.
• Error code E010: Shimano electric bike has detected a motor error, i.e. assistance failure. Restarting should solve the problem; if the error persists, contact your dealer.
• Error code E020: Motor and battery no longer communicate, so check whether the main cable is connected or damaged.

Intersport uses the same base for all the motors fitted to its brand of French electric bicycles. In the event of a breakdown or problem, the error codes are therefore common. Here are the different numbers you may see on your Nakamura VAE screen, and how to resolve them.

• Error 28: The magnet on the rear wheel is out of adjustment, and therefore no longer provides bike speed, as the motor assistance is no longer working. Readjust the pedaling sensor.
• Errors 30 and 35: screen-controller communication is not working, or there is a problem with the electrical system; check with your dealer.
• Error 13: The controller may be inoperative or damaged. We advise you not to intervene on your own and to consult Intersport customer service or your local store.

Finally, you should be aware that some older Intersport Nakamura electric bikes use other types of assistance. These include "Error 03" and "Error 06" for motor or controller problems.

In these cases, check the connections, otherwise contact your nearest store if the problem persists. To resolve an "Error 14", which means you pedaled before starting the assistance, simply stop and restart without pedaling.

Bosch electric assistants, available for example on a Moustache electric bike, combine several different screens: Intuvia, Purion, Kiox. Nevertheless, their error messages are often identical - phew!

• Error 503: this minor problem is due to faulty alignment between the speed sensor and the magnet. To solve the problem, move the magnet to the spoke of the rear wheel.
• Error 504 : this error code may indicate an electronic bug or incorrect magnet position, as above. Alternatively, it may indicate unauthorized engine manipulation or tuning.
• Error 502: malfunction of the lighting connected to the Bosch electric bike. The solution is to check the wiring, the headlight or the rear light, then restart.
• Error 500: a Bosch electric bike displays this message in the event of an internal motor fault. Restarting may resolve the code.

If the procedures indicated result in a persistent error code on your Bosch electric bicycle, contact your dealer or specialist bicycle dealer to rectify the problem.

Here, the cheap Xiaomi electric bike is unique, the Mi Smart. Yet its error codes are very different, but clearly identify the problem. Two are very common.

The first is error message 00008 with an orange exclamation mark, indicating that the connection cable has been disconnected between the motor block in the front wheel and the battery. This happens when you turn the handlebars too far. According to an expert, you need to solve this code by reconnecting the cable, then restarting.

The second regular fault is error code 16384. Here the simple solution is to restart, press the ignition button again for 2 seconds, then change the assistance level. A rocket icon should appear on the display. If not, take your Xiaomi VAE to your dealer or have it repaired by a specialist.

Engwe electric bicycles have no after-sales service in France, so you'll have to deal with any faults yourself. The fault message on the display ranges from 021 to 025, or indicates an Error 030.

The most common code is 024, indicating a communication error between the rear motor and the battery. It may be sufficient to reconnect the cable located on the right rear base, if the cause proves to be a false contact.

The other solution is to open the frame cover in front of the saddle. It's essential to check that all motor cables are properly connected and aligned by color. They are identified by a 5-cable connector and a white single-cable connector. If the error persists, the motor is undoubtedly faulty and requires repair of the electric bike.

Here, braking is the issue. First check the operation of the brake levers. Otherwise, the procedure is identical to 024, but check the brake cables (two connectors with black wires) and then the brake controller (two connectors with black and green wires). If the message disappears by disconnecting a controller cable, replace the brake lever.