Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular, making it challenging to find the best electric scooter for your needs. When you finally get the right e-scooter, you want it to run right. For most electric scooter owners, it means charging the battery and being extra careful. But what happens when you turn on the start key and nothing happens? Or when you try to turn off the scooter, and it stays on? It’s time for electric mobility scooter push-key repair.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The most probable reason your electric scooter push key starter isn’t working is due to corrosion.
- When the push key starter is activated or pressed, it signals the battery to power the e-scooter motor.
- If your e-scooter doesn’t start or move when you press the start push key or the key switch between on and off, it could be faulty or malfunctioned.
Many things could be at play, your battery could be faulty, you could have blown a fuse, or your push key could have malfunctioned. If your e-scooter has an erratic on and off operation, a faulty push key starter is the likely culprit.
If your e-scooter fails to start due to a faulty push key starter, don’t panic, we’ve outlined a simple step-by-step electric mobility scooter push key repair guide. For more DIY repair and maintenance tips, check out our guide for checking the oil kick on your electric scooter.
The most probable reason your electric scooter push key starter isn’t working is due to corrosion.
Tools Needed: Allen key, screwdriver, tweezers, or a flat metal plate.
What is the function of a Push-Key Starter on an Electric Scooter?
The ignition on an electric scooter is far much simpler compared to a gas-powered scooter on a vehicle. On an e-scooter, it is simply an on and off switch. In a motorbike, it has a much more complicated setup.
On your e-scooter, when the push key starter is activated or pressed, it signals the battery to provide power to the e-scooter motor. The signals pass through the controller and work in synchrony with the rider input to give the correct output in terms of speed.
How to Test the Push Key Starter on your E-scooter
If your e-scooter doesn’t start or move when you press the start push key or the key switch between on and off, it could be faulty or malfunctioned. To simply diagnose this condition, you can use a multimeter. A multimeter will tell if your battery and controller are getting signals from the switch to move the electric scooter.
If the motor doesn’t run, do the following:
- Turn on the key switch and ensure the power is on. Next, check your e-scooter fuses and try pushing the scooter to start.
- Try charging the electric scooter for full hours, and inspect the motor by looking, smelling, and touching.
- Run tests on the charger unit, fuse, and battery pack.
- Lastly, inspect the speed controller.
How to Fix a Faulty Electric Scooter Push-Key Starter
Fixing an electric scooter push key starter is relatively simple, cheap, and quick. All you need is an Allen key, screwdriver, tweezers, or a flat metal plate and time.
- First, remove all the screws from the electric scooter undercover. Next, gently remove the protective rubber cover. Then disconnect the main power cable from the e-scooter.
- When disassembling the e-scooter, ensure you keep all the screws in a central location to prevent misplacing or mixing them.
- Next, remove the dash cover with a flat screwdriver. Don’t panic. You’ll need to exert a little bit more force to get the dash panel off. If you don’t have a flat screwdriver, you can use a pair of tweezers.
- Once the dash cap is off, you’ll get a tiny motherboard underneath. Three screws hold it on the handlebar. Unscrew them.
- Using the flat screwdriver or a pair of tweezers, gently remove the button cover off from the side. You must be gentle not to damage it. Once the cover is off, a small metal plate will be visible. Don’t drop it!
- Lift the metal plate with some tweezers, and check inside for corrosion.
- Carefully clean the plate and circuit with some cleaner and a cotton bud. Once you are done, reassemble your electric scooter and test it again.
If your electric scooter still doesn’t turn on or off, it could be a more complex problem that’ll need a technician’s expertise. If you determine the entire thing needs replaced, make sure you learn how to properly dispose of your scooter beforehand.
F.A.Q.
What does it mean when my e-scooter fails to turn off or on?
Many things could be at play, your battery could be faulty, you could have blown a fuse, or your push key could have malfunctioned. If your e-scooter has an erratic on and off operation, a faulty push key starter is the likely culprit.
Could my electric scooter push key starter get damaged due to corrosion?
Yes, it’s the most common problem when your push key starter malfunctions. Water could get in and disrupt the power connection leading to a no-power condition when the switch is turned on.
Is it possible to repair a faulty e-scooter push key starter?
Yes. Fixing an electric scooter push key starter is relatively simple, cheap, and quick. All you need is an Allen key, screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, or a flat metal plate and time.
How do I tell if my push key starter is faulty?
To simply diagnose this condition, you can use a multimeter. A multimeter will tell if your battery and controller are getting signals from the switch to move the electric scooter.
STAT: The number of scooter-related injuries in the US has risen by 222% between 2014 and 2018, to more than 39,000 injuries. It is also estimated that about 48% of the injured are between 18 and 29, and 33% were first-time riders (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://valientemott.com/blog/electric-scooter-accidents/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DqdNqjwdrs
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_switchr
- https://electricscooterparts.com/troubleshootingkeyislost.html
- https://www.electricscooterslondon.com/blogs/electric-scooter-maintenance-and-repairs/tips-guide-how-to-fix-an-electric-scooter
