Troubleshoot a bike that won't turn on (bikes with integrated batteries)
In the unlikely event that your ebike won't turn on, this article will help you troubleshoot the problem so you can get back to riding Rad as soon as possible! This procedure will involve testing the battery, and checking electrical component connections on the ebike to isolate the problem.
This article is for ebike models with integrated batteries--RadKick 7-Speed and RadKick Belt Drive. For ebike models with semi-integrated batteries, refer to this article; and for ebike models with external batteries, refer to this article.
Tools needed:
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Flat-side cutters
- A few replacement zip ties
A low charge or a loose battery connection can cause your ebike to not turn on when you press the Power button on the display. Follow the steps below to check that the battery is charged and correctly installed.
- Check the battery state of charge. Press the power button at the top of the battery. The LED beneath it will light up to indicate the battery state of charge--a solid green light indicates a fully charged battery, a blinking green light indicates the battery has 60-80% charge left, a solid red light indicates the battery has less than 60% charge, and a blinking red light indicates the battery has less than 10% charge remaining.
- If the battery is showing no LED light, charge the battery. Insert the battery charger cable into the charging port on the battery and charge until full. The LED light will be red while charging, and turn green when fully charged.
- Once the battery is fully charged, try to turn on the ebike. If the ebike does not power on, follow the steps below to check the battery contacts.
- Remove the battery. Turn the keyport to the Unlocked position and remove the battery, and then press and hold the Power button on the display to discharge any remaining power.
- Inspect the battery and mounting tray terminal contacts. If you notice any dirt, damage, or moisture, contact Rad Power Bikes Customer Support.
- Reinstall the battery. If the contacts look normal, reinstall the battery and ensure it clicks into position.
- Turn on the ebike. Press and hold the Power button to turn on the ebike.
- If the ebike powers on and displays an error message, review the Color Display error codes article for troubleshooting steps.
- If the ebike does not power on, follow the steps in the next section.
If your battery holds a charge but the ebike is still not powering on, it may be that one of the electrical connections on the ebike is preventing it from powering on, and in order to isolate the problem you will need to check these connections one at a time. Follow the steps below to check the wiring harness connections on the front of the ebike, and the main electrical component connections to the controller on the rear of the ebike. You may need flat-side cutters to snip zip ties holding cables in place.
Take pictures of cable connections and cable routing before you start disconnecting them, as once you fix the problem you will need to reconnect everything in its original position.
Check Display and Wiring Harness Connections
The wiring harness connects all of the cables on the front of the ebike and routes them through the frame to the controller box on the rear of the ebike. The electrical signal passes through the wiring harness to the display, so if the wiring harness is disconnected or damaged you will be unable to power on your ebike.
- Check the display connector. If the display cable is disconnected or damaged, you won't be able to power the ebike on.
- Trace the cable from the display on the handlebar to the wiring harness.
- Unscrew the metal connectors on this cable and disconnect. Ensure the connectors are free of any debris or moisture, and none of the connector pins are broken. You may need to uncoil the wire cover or cut any zip ties securing this connector in place.
- Reconnect the display cable. Line up the internal notch and pins and external arrows, press together without twisting to reconnect, and twist the metal ends to secure.
- Power on the ebike to test. If the ebike still does not power on, proceed to the next step.
- Trace the cable from the display on the handlebar to the wiring harness.
- Check the wiring harness. Ensure the wiring harness is not twisted around the front of the ebike, and you can turn the handlebar fully without pinching the wiring harness.
- Power on the ebike to test. If the display connector and wiring harness are properly connected and the ebike is still not powering on, proceed to the next step to check electrical components inside the downtube.
Check Electrical Component Connections
The following steps require checking electrical connections to the controller on the rear of the ebike. The wiring harness, battery mounting port and controller need to be connected and in good working order for the ebike's electrical system to work.
- Remove the battery, and press and hold the Power button to discharge any remaining power.
- Check the wiring harness connector. The wiring harness is routed from the front of the bike, through the downtube and connects to the controller. If this cable is disconnected or damaged, your ebike will not power on.
- Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the battery mount at the bottom of the frame downtube.
- Locate the controller box mounted inside the downtube (see diagram).
- Disconnect the wiring harness connector and ensure it is free of any debris or moisture and none of the connector pins are broken.
- Reconnect the wiring harness cable. Line up the internal notch and pins and external arrows, and press together without twisting to reconnect.
- Reinstall the battery mount and battery and power on the ebike to test. If the ebike still doesn't power on, proceed to the next step.
- Disconnect the battery connector. There are two connectors for the battery cable--one from the battery mount, and one from the controller. If the cable is disconnected or damaged at either end, the controller won't get power and the electrical signal will not travel through the system.
- Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the battery mounts at the top and bottom of the frame downtube.
- Disconnect the battery cable connection on the battery mount and the other end of the battery cable that connects to the controller and inspect the interior of the connectors to ensure they are free of any debris or moisture and none of the connector pins are broken.
- Reconnect the battery cable. Line up the internal notch and pins and external arrows, and press together without twisting to reconnect.
- Use the Phillips head screwdriver and reinstall the battery mounts.
- Reinstall the battery and power on the ebike. If the ebike still does not power on at this point there may be a problem with one of the electrical components. Contact the Rad Power Bikes Customer Support team for next steps.