Quick Repair Tips for Mobility Scooters & Power Wheelchairs

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How to check and solve the most common mobility scooter or power wheelchair problems:

Service Repair Shop for Power Wheelchairs, Mobility Scooters, Recliner Lift Chairs

The most common problems with a power wheelchair or mobility scooter will be related to the batteries, charging, circuit breakers, keys / switches, cables, connectors or free wheel levers. Direct battery problems occur because they're, old and can no longer hold a good charge, not that old but have been pre-maturely worn down (due to any number of reasons), or just not being fully charged.

IMPORTANT: Problems related to the batteries only, occur because the batteries are not fully charged, or it could be that the batteries are worn down and can not hold a proper charge. If the batteries are not holding a charge, and are old, you just need to have them replaced. If batteries are not that old, it may be that you have not been charging them properly (check the manual). If the batteries are not worn down but your device does not get the range it did, it could be that the motors or other components are drawing too much current from the batteries. It can even be a wheel that is dragging which will discharge the batteries quickly.

Here are some other non-direct battery problems to check ...

What can I do if a mobility scooter or power wheelchair will not power up?

1. Verify that the key is fully inserted into the key switch.

2. Verify that the battery pack is seated properly. If your scooter / wheelchair does not have a battery pack then check battery(s) cables & connections).

3. Verify that the battery quick-disconnect harness connections are fully joined.

4. Verify that the batteries are connected correctly, red to positive (+) and black to negative (-).

5. Verify that the main circuit breaker has not been tripped.

What can I do a mobility scooter or power wheelchair does power up but it does not move or it only moves a short distance?

1. Make sure the charger is not connected (scooters & wheelchairs normally will not move if its charging).

2. Make sure the free wheel lever is in drive mode (if you can push the scooter or wheelchair and it easily moves then its in free wheel mode).

3. Check the free wheel lever assembly again sometimes it may not be fully engaged.

4. On the free wheel lever assembly you may have an electrical switch with wires going to the switch. Make sure those wires and switch are in proper condition.

5. Verify that the circuit breaker has not been tripped and make sure the wires and the breaker are in good shape. Sometimes the breaker or connections are defective and will only work intermittently. Also, anything that that makes the motors work harder (which will draw more current) can trip the breaker like bad bearings, running on thick carpet, steep hills or the breaker can be defective itself and trips at lower amperage draws (below spec) than it would normally.

6. Make sure the throttle / joystick feels right. If it sounds funny or does not spring back correctly then check the assembly. When you check the assembly also make sure the wires and connectors are in proper condition.

FYI: If your device is beeping and or flashing check the table below to help diagnose the problem (the chart is for the most common controllers, check your manual to verify) ...

In-Depth Self-Help for Troubleshooting / Repairs: Troubleshooting / Repairs for Mobility Scooters, Power Wheelchairs & Recliner Lift Chairs ...

In-Depth Self-Help for Battery / Charging Problems: How to check your wheelchair or scooters batteries / charger ...

IMPORTANT: Turn Key on. Flashing occurs in bursts, separated by a 2 second pause.
MOBILITY SCOOTER CONTROLLER SYSTEM
Self
Diagnostic
Warning
Flash Code
Fault Description Actions
1
Battery needs recharging The battery voltage has dropped below 23.3V in neutral. Recharge the batteries soon.
2
Battery voltage too low The battery voltage has dropped to 16.5V. Check the battery condition and the connections .
3
Battery voltage too high The battery voltage is greater than 32V. Check the battery condition and the connections. Suspect a charger malfunction. For a temporary solution, turn on the lighting system for a while in order to lower the battery voltage.
4
Current limit time out The controller has detected a shorted motor. Check the loom for shorts and check the motor. Contact your authorized dealer.
5
Free Wheeling Lever fault Check the Free Wheeler Lever connections, the condition of the motor and loom(s). Contact your authorized dealer.
6
Thumb control levers out of neutral Return Thumb Control Levers to of neutral neutral and reset system. Contact your authorized dealer to readjust the wigwag to neutral if necessary .
7
Thumb control levers fault Check thumb control levers wiring for open or short circuits and thumb control levers set-up. Contact your authorized dealer.
8
Motor volts error Contact your authorized dealer.
9
Other internal errors Contact your authorized dealer.



IMPORTANT: Turn Key on. Flashing occurs in bursts, separated by a 2 second pause.
POWER WHEELCHAIR CONTROLLER SYSTEM
Self Diagnostic Warning Flash Code Fault Description Actions
0
The On status / Power Reserve Indicator light does not light up when the controller is switched on. Check that the battery connector to the controller is securely plugged into the connector from the battery. Check the batteries are connected correctly (check the battery terminals). Check the condition of the batteries . Check the battery supply fuse or circuit breaker. If the fuse has blown check for wiring faults.
1
Low battery voltage fault Check that the battery connector to the controller is securely plugged into the connector from the battery and is in a good condition (free from corrosion). Check that the battery terminals are tight and in good condition. Check that the batteries are not at the end of their life. Check the condition of the batteries.
2
High battery voltage fault Check the battery charger - is it overcharging?
3
Left motor (or connection) fault Check the left and right motor/Free Wheeling Lever connectors are securely plugged in. Check the contacts in the left & right motor connectors for corrosion or damage. Contact your authorized dealer to check the left and right motors, resistance of the motor and controller.
4
Right motor (or connection) fault. As above.
5
Left or right free wheeling lever (or connection) fault. Check the free wheeling Lever connectors are securely plugged in. Check the contacts in the connectors for corrosion or damage. Contact your authorized dealer to check the condition of Free WheelingLever.
6
Controller fault. Contact your authorized dealer.
7
Motor stalled or joystick out of neutral time out. Check joystick is released and in neutral when controller is switched on. Check Power Chair is able to move and is not blocked by an obstacle. Check motors and gearboxes are OK by releasing the Free Wheeling Levers, deflecting the joystick forward and observing the levers to see if both left and right wheels turn.

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