An advanced guide to solving battery, motor and controller problems on electric bikes

Is your electric bike no longer working as it should? Is the battery no longer responding after recharging? Has the range of your electric bike decreased drastically? Are you immobilized because your electric assistance has stopped working? Or do you simply not know what's wrong? We're all familiar with the countless little and big problems that can arise with an electric bike. But don't worry! In this article, we're going to help you spot problems with your electric bike. If your electric bike stops working properly, there's usually a problem with (1) the battery, (2) the motor or (3) the controller.

The battery is the heart of the electric bike, and therefore plays a crucial role in the propulsion of your two-wheeler. Unfortunately, it is also the element most vulnerable to damage. It's important to understand that many of the problems that can arise with the battery often stem from improper use of the electric bike. But how do you spot a battery problem? We explain how to recognize battery problems and how to solve them.

You wanted to go for a ride after recharging the battery, but the electric assistance stopped working? Or is the assistance regularly interrupted during your ride? Unfortunately, your battery is probably defective or worn out. To check whether the problem really lies with the battery, you can test its charge with a multimeter. This will tell you whether the battery is still working, or whether it's faulty or worn out. If it's not the battery's fault, there may be problems with recharging.

Imagine: you want to take your electric bike into town. You put the battery in the bike and notice that the display doesn't light up. Now what? Simple: the power supply circuits no longer accept an electric charge. But what does this mean? Is my battery defective or worn out? 

To determine this, we recommend that you first eliminate any problems with the charger and ask yourself the following question: how long have I had my electric bike? Over time, the battery's capacity can diminish, so that it no longer charges properly. If the battery is old, or if you've been using it for a long time, it may need replacing. Upway 's advice: have your battery reconditioned.

After your journey, you notice that your battery is no longer charging: the indicator lights don't come on. But why is this? Is my battery faulty, or is my charger out of order? Read on to find out.

Want to know how to make your battery last as long as possible? Then read on:

Recharging an electric bike: tips and tricks to extend battery life.

Are you finding that you don't really know how to charge a battery? Then we recommend you read the following blog: How to charge your electric bike?

If the battery on your electric bike stops working, the first thing to do is find out if there are any problems with the charger. Then you can check whether the battery itself is at fault. What steps should you take?

In general, it takes between 3 and 6 hours to charge an empty electric bike battery. This applies to the common lithium-ion batteries often found on used electric bikes fromUpway. If the battery should already be charged but isn't working when you ride, check the following points:

Plug the charger into an electrical outlet and check that one or more LEDs light up. If not, your battery is not charging! Use a multimeter to test the charger's output voltage. The voltage value should be slightly higher than the charger's rated voltage. If the result is less than or equal to zero, the charger is faulty.

Check that the charger is correctly connected and that there is no visible damage to the cable or plug. If possible, try another charger to see if the problem is solved.

The charging port may be damaged by physical wear or regular use. Check for dirt, dust or other objects in the port. Clean gently with a soft brush or compressed air. If the port appears damaged, it may need to be repaired or replaced.

A battery management system (BMS) monitors and protects the battery against overcharging, overheating and uneven charging, and optimizes its service life. If the BMS detects that battery energy is being consumed too quickly and reaching a critical level, it will switch off the power supply. 

There are many reasons for this: ageing, too frequent charging cycles, poor battery management or manufacturing defects. The battery can also fail due to overcharging. To solve this problem, reduce the assistance level and pedal a little harder on steep climbs. This should reduce the load on the battery. If you can rule out the above causes, it may be that the battery itself is faulty.

Battery failure may be due to incorrect positioning of the connection pins. If this is the case, the circuit cannot be completed and no electricity is transmitted. Using a wrench, you can easily solve this problem by slightly straightening the pins to return them to their correct position.

To check whether the problem lies with the battery, use a multimeter to test its charge. This will help you determine whether it's still working. Most electric bikes come with a 36-volt battery. In this case, the voltage should be between 36 V and 28 V.

Engine and battery problems are sometimes difficult to distinguish. Battery problems usually manifest themselves as reduced range or recharging problems. Engine problems can manifest themselves in the following ways:

If the display doesn't show 0 at standstill, or if the rotation sensor isn't working properly, the problem may lie with the central motor. You can't usually solve problems with the central motor yourself. Contact the manufacturer or point of sale of your electric bike.

Some electric bikes are equipped with a hub motor. One of the most common problems is motor noise. This often occurs if the motor has worn gears, a defective brake disc or worn bearings.

Sometimes, a loose bolt can also be the cause of the rattling. Replacing the worn part may solve the problem. If the noise persists, it's likely that the motor bearings need lubricating, and that the noise is due to friction.

Another recurring problem is that the motor may stop running. This indicates a problem with the controller. It may be a loose or non-existent connection, preventing the motor from receiving the electricity it needs to start. To solve this problem, check that the controller is working and correctly connected to the motor.

Would you like to know more about an electric bike motor that isn't working properly, or are you unsure which type of motor to choose? Then read on: The electric bike motor no longer assists you: what to do? or An electric bike with a central motor: the complete guide.

The controller is where all the electric bike's cables come together. It's usually located between the electric bike's battery and motor.

Think of the controller as the processor of your electric bike's operating system. That's why it's also one of the most common reasons why your electric bike may not work properly. Since the controller plays such an important role in the electric bike's operation, the slightest technical fault can have an impact on its use. If, for example, you notice a black screen, an error code or your motor is not working properly, it could be due to the controller. 

To ensure that the controller is not the cause of your problem, pay attention to the following points:

Look for loose, disconnected or incorrectly connected wires. If you see loose wires, reconnect them to the appropriate ports. Upway tip: the color of the wires must match that of the connectors. Red wire on red connector! Child's play!

If the controller still doesn't work, check that the power switch is on. Also check the fuse by removing it and shining a light on it to see if it's blown. If so, the fuse must be replaced.