Electric Scooter Repair Solutions: Power Up Your Commute (2023)

(Last updated on March 6th, 2023)

A quality electric scooter should last for at least 3 to 5 years if it is well-maintained and used under good conditions. However, if you exceed the weight limit, ride your scooter in lousy weather, or don’t take care of it, it may not last as long. 

Sometimes, parts of your scooter – like tires or the chain – will wear out faster than expected or need to be repaired. Sometimes, you can make these repairs yourself, especially if you just need new tires or tubes. Other times, you may need to take your e-scooter to a professional, such as when there is a problem with the wiring. 

In this article, I’ll talk about how to repair common problems that can happen to your electric scooter. We’ll give you some easy-to-follow guides and help you know when to take your scooter to a professional. I’ll also give you some tips for maintaining your scooter so it has the longest life possible. Let’s get started. 

Common Electric Scooter Problems and Their Solutions

Problem	Solution	DIY or Professional Service
Scooter doesn’t start	Charge the battery	DIY
	Check the kill switch	DIY
Scooter overheats	Check fuses	DIY/Professional
	Replace wires	Professional
Scooter cycles on and off or shuts down	Charge battery	DIY
	Replace the battery	DIY
Scooter doesn’t work	Check and replace fuses	Professional
Scooter won’t run at full speed	Charge or replace battery	DIY
Motor won’t run with a rider	Charge or replace battery	DIY
The scooter doesn’t move when the motor runs	Belt or clutch need replaced	Professional
Tires are flat	Pump up tires	DIY
	Replace tire	DIY / Professional
Brakes don’t work well	Replace brake pads	DIY / Professional
	Have scooter checked by a technician

1. The Scooter Doesn’t Start

Check the Battery

The most common reason your scooter won’t start is a problem with the battery. However, batteries can go dead for any number of reasons. For example, if it is extremely cold or you simply run down the battery by using the scooter. Or if you haven’t used your scooter in a while, the battery might have just lost its charge. If this is the case, try charging your battery for a while. It may take up to 23 hours for your scooter battery to charge completely, especially if it is completely depleted. 

In some cases, an old battery may no longer be able to hold a charge. Generally, electric scooter batteries can go through 300 to 500 charging cycles before they begin to degrade. Exceptionally high-quality batteries may be able to go through 1000 charging cycles if they have been treated well. Once your battery has outlived its number of charging cycles, you may need to replace it. You can usually purchase new batteries from the manufacturer. 

Overtaxing the battery, riding your scooter too hard, or riding in the rain can damage your battery and wear it out faster. 

Check the Kill Switch

Some scooters have a kill switch to conserve battery life. If your switch is in the off position, your scooter won’t start. 

2. The Scooter Overheats

Riding your scooter in high temperatures or riding it too hard for too long can cause the motor to overheat. You might just need to turn the scooter off and let it cool down before riding again. 

However, there may be other problems causing the scooter to overheat. Once the scooter is cool enough to handle without getting burned, check that the fuse isn’t blown. Also, make sure the wiring hasn’t come loose or melted. If so, you’ll need to make an appointment with a scooter repair professional to fix it. 

3. The Scooter Cycles On and Off or Shuts Down

If your scooter shuts off or slows down while riding, it could be a worn-out battery. In many electric scooters, the speed control will shut down if the voltage gets too low. So if the battery power drops because the battery is out of juice or is old and worn down, the motor will simply shut off. 

If the battery is old or broken, once the motor turns on, the battery voltage can drop to zero percent, and the motor shuts down. Then, when the motor is off, the battery percent will rise, turning the motor back on. This faulty battery then causes the motor to cycle on and off. 

If this is the case, you probably need to replace the battery. 

4. The Scooter Doesn’t Work

Sometimes your scooter won’t work because the fuse is blown. The fuse’s job is to protect the wiring in the scooter. So if too much electricity flows through the scooter, the fuse will blow to protect the circuits. If this happens, you just need to replace the fuse. 

First, unplug the battery unit so you don’t get shocked. The fuse is probably located near the battery. Next, use a screwdriver to unscrew the cover near the battery that covers the fuses. 

Look for the blown a fuse and purchase a new one – it’s important to get the right one, or it won’t work! You may be able to get the fuse at your local hardware store, but you might have to purchase one from the manufacturer. 

Replace the fuse, then replace the cover.  

5. The Scooter Won’t Run at Full Speed

6. The Motor Won’t Run With a Person on the Scooter

If the motor only runs without a rider, it’s probably a faulty battery. Sometimes, the motor shut down once it begins to pull more juice from the battery. Replace the battery. 

7. The Scooter Doesn’t Move When the Motor Runs

There may be a few causes for this. First, you may have a loose or broken belt. Or your clutch may be worn out. In both these cases, you’ll probably need to find a professional scooter technician to repair your electric scooter.  

8. The Tires Are Flat

If your scooter has pneumatic tires (air tires), they can go flat. 

First, try pumping up your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI.If the tires hold air, great. If not, you may need to repair or replace the tire. 

If you have tubeless tires, you may be able to fix the flat with some green slime. First, let all of the air out of your tire. Carefully check the tire for a puncture and remove any debris, such as a nail or piece of glass. Pour in the recommended amount of green slime and spin the tire. Then, pump up the tire and make sure it can hold air. You can also use green slime to repair a tire. 

If the tire is still flat, you may need to replace the tire. You can order replacement tires from the manufacturer and replace them yourself. 

How to Prevent Flat Tires 

Sometimes, flat tires are inevitable. But you can take some steps to prevent flats. First, keep your tires at the optimum PSI. If your tire pressure is too low, your tire can roll over its rim and get a pinch flat. On the other hand, if your tire pressure is too high, the tire can come off the rim or pop, causing an accident. 

If your tires are tubeless, you can use the green slime as a preventative measure to protect against small punctures. In addition, the sealant inside the tire will fill up the hole, preventing a flat. 

Lastly, try to avoid obstacles, debris, and rough surfaces that can damage and puncture your tires.  

9. The Brakes Aren’t Working Well

If your electric scooter brakes aren’t working well, there’s a good chance you need to replace the brake pads. In many cases, the brake pads on your electric scooter are like the brake pads on your bicycle. So if you are comfortable changing your bike brakes, you can probably change your own scooter brakes. 

Brakes may last anywhere from 200 to 600 miles, depending on how hard you use them. 

First, remove the brake pad pin. Then remove the brake pad from the caliper. Do not squeeze the brake lever with the pads removed. 

Squeeze the new brake pads together and insert them into the calipers, making sure to align the hole for the pin correctly. 

Reinsert the pin into the brake pad. Bend the pin slightly so it doesn’t slide out. 

Always thoroughly test the brakes to ensure they work before you ride your scooter again. 

You can also change your brake pads at home. If you aren’t sure how to change your brake pads, take it to a technician for help.

Easy Ways to Maintain Your Electric Scooter

Taking good care of your scooter will help it to last longer and prevent problems before they start. 

1. Clean Your Scooter

You can’t hose down your scooter like you would a bicycle or a car. Instead, try to wipe down your scooter with a damp rag and a little bit of cleaner, if necessary. Keep moisture away from the wiring, motor, and battery or try quick cleaning. 

2. Lubricate the Moving Parts

Just like a bicycle, an electric scooter has moving parts that you can lubricate to keep it working better and prevent damage. Use a quality lubricant, such as WD-40 Specialist Bike Chain Lube (not regular WD-40). You can spray this on the moving parts: 

· Wheel and headset bearings, 

· Latches and folding mechanisms 

Do not get lubricant on the brakes or other delicate scooter parts. Instead, make sure you wipe away any excess lubricant. 

3. Check for Loose Wires

Check your cables from time to time to ensure they haven’t come loose. You can gently tighten screws and bolts to tighten down the wires. If the wires are melted, or you don’t know how to tighten them, you’ll need to seek help from a professional. 

4. Check Your Brakes

Make sure your brakes are working well. Replace pads as necessary. 

5. Check Your Tires

Keep your tires at the recommended pressure. Check for debris before every ride. 

6. Keep an Eye on Your Battery

Over time, the battery will wear out. As a result, you may notice that the battery charge does not last as long, or the scooter won’t cover as many miles as it used to. If this happens, you may need to replace the battery. 

When to Call a Professional 

If you aren’t good at repairs, you may want to skip all the DIY repairs and take your electric scooter to a professional. 

Remember that if you repair your scooter wrong or you make a mistake when repairing your scooter, it could cost even more to fix it. It could also cause safety issues if the scooter turns off or the brakes fail. 

Final Thoughts on Electric Scooter Repair 

In my opinion,cleaning and lubricating the moving parts of your electric scooter will help it stay in good repair. Making sure your tires have air will also go a long way towards keeping your scooter in great shape so it will last you a very long time!

While some parts are easy to maintain like a bicycle, other parts will require professional assistance. Don’t be afraid to get help when you need it and always be safe when riding.  

Frequently Asked Questions