For a great number of people, a mobility scooter is the best way to have as normal of a life as possible, allowing you to go to the places you would like safely and securely. If you have a mobility scooter, you know that these are not cheap, and ensuring it is working properly is key. However, there are always going to be issues that your scooter runs into along the way that can make using your device difficult.
One common problem that you may be running into is troubleshooting a mobility scooter that keeps stopping. If your mobility scooter is stalling, there are a few key problems that you may be dealing with, and that may need repairs. The most common reasons that your mobility scooter may stall when you are riding it are:
- Batteries
- Motors
- Loose connection
- Faulty switch
We will discuss how you can troubleshoot your mobility scooter yourself and make the proper repairs on your own if possible. Of course, you can always consult an expert in repairing mobility scooters and allow them to make the proper repairs. Either way, mobility scooter stalling is generally an easy repair and should not cost you a fortune.
You can find the best mobility scooters sorted by customer ratings here.
Why Mobility Scooters Stall
In recent years, mobility scooters have become easier to obtain by those who need them and have become more widely used. Whether you help someone who uses a mobility scooter, or you use one yourself, ensuring they work properly is key. Those who use mobility scooters regularly, whether it be due to age or disability, require them to live and function as normally as possible.
While mobility scooters tend to be reliable and need little to no maintenance, issues can always occur with these devices. If you have noticed that your scooter has begun stalling regularly, there are a few key things you should look for when it comes to their functioning. The most common reason why mobility scooters stall are:
Battery Issues
The best batteries for mobility scooters sorted by customer ratings may be found here.
The battery is what keeps the scooter moving and running as needed. The battery for most scooters must be recharged regularly and will last for a specific time period, depending on the model that you own. However, issues with the battery can easily lead to unwanted stalling and stopping of your device.
Depleted Battery Life
The battery is one of the most important parts of the mobility scooter and one of the biggest reasons they can malfunction. Some common battery issues are having to recharge it more often due to it not holding the proper charge for the correct period of time. This can lead to having to charge your scooter regularly or even after only a short journey.
Unfortunately, as the battery life shortens, so will your usage of the mobility scooter, and you will become more limited on where you are able to go. This can also lead to stalling if your battery begins to fail because it is not holding a charge properly. Luckily, for some time, the worst that happens is that you have to charge the battery more frequently than you did upon purchasing your device.
When you start to see stalling with your device and have to charge your scooter more frequently, a common reason is simply the age and over usage of your battery.
Often, the only way to combat this issue is to replace the battery completely or have a larger battery installed. If you do opt for a larger, more powerful battery, it can weigh down your scooter slightly, and that can lead to higher usage of power. If you see similar stalling issues with a newer battery, the battery is probably faulty, and you should contact the manufacturer for replacement.
Faulty Wiring Connections
Another common issue with the battery is that there is a faulty connection somewhere along the line that is causing issues. These issues are a little more difficult to handle and often require you to seek professional help. To troubleshoot the wire connections, you will want to see if the battery still has a charge when the stalling occurs.
Check your device for any loose wires or dirty connections that may be causing a problem. Often, the owner’s manual will have instructions for cleaning connectors and identifying faulty wiring on the device. If you are not well versed in how to handle this electrical work, you should seek a professional electrician or someone who works with mobility scooters.
Faulty Motors
The electric motor on your mobility scooter is usually a simple design and can be quite rugged, ensuring that it can withstand normal use. Most use their mobility scooter in all types of terrain and in a variety of weather conditions, trusting that they work without damage. However, there are ways that you can damage your motor without realizing it, and this can lead to unwanted stalling or usage issues.
Some common ways that motors are damaged on mobility scooters are:
- Mounting or dismounting pavement without a dropped curve
- Driving the mobility scooter through deep puddles or standing water
- Frequently going through very dusty areas, which can cause dirt and grit to enter the motor’s moving parts and later fail.
The most common reason for your motor to fail is due to moisture penetration, which is common for those who live in excessively wet areas.
If your motor has been exposed to water or even submerged and you have noticed stalling issues, this is most likely the cause. This will be the second most common issue. If your battery has charge and you are not finding any faulty connections, the motor is the next place to look.
If you or someone you know can work on motors, these issues can be relatively easy to repair. However, you can also consult a mechanic that handles this work safely and easily. Most often, they only need to remove the motor, wipe it dry, and reinstall it into the device.
Search for a Loose Connection
We touched on this when it came to discussing the battery, but identifying any loose connections is extremely important when it comes to a mobility scooter that has been stalling. Sometimes a loose connection can be causing these unwanted problems, and the repair is extremely simple. There are a few ways to identify a loose connection for your scooter, and these are:
- Your scooter stalls when you hit a curb or go down a hill. This is due to the connection failing.
- The impact on the scooter will disconnect the loose wire.
- Your scooter will often restart or get moving faster again once you hit another bump or curb.
If you are able to, you should look for any loose wiring that may be disconnecting near your motor or battery. You can relatively easily open up the battery and motor compartments, checking for any wires that may seem loose or look odd to you. If you cannot find any misplaced wires or you do not know what you are looking for, find a technician in your area that is able to help you.
Check for a Faulty Switch
A faulty switch on your scooter can cause you to stop suddenly and can cause the device to fail to start. This is a lesser-known problem but can easily be repaired if you find the faulty switch at hand. If you have noticed your scooter stalling, not starting, even going into reverse without your control, a switch can be the problem.
You will want to start by troubleshooting the earlier mentioned issues of the battery, motor, and faulty wiring. If you are not seeing a problem with any of these areas, a faulty switch is most often the next big problem. You will often want to go to a technician for this problem because faulty switches can be more difficult to identify and repair.
A technician will be able to clean the switch and replace it if needed. If this does not repair the problem, you may need to purchase a new switch to replace the faulty one.
