Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle

[NeedSomePower]

My RadCity Step-Thru 3 is new, just assembled on Friday. Saturday morning about 8AM, after charging for 12 hours, the bike turned on, but no PAS or throttle. Came back later that day, and everything normal. Rode it OK Sunday and Monday afternoons. Then, this morning (not left on charger) about 8AM, same thing. No PAS or throttle.

No error codes. Battery is nearly fully charged.

This morning, as a test, I lifted the rear and turned the throttle. The wheel started to turn and then stopped.

My first guess would be a loose connection. Any idea where exactly to look?

Another idea: The brake-activated motor cutoff switch. When I got the bike, the front brake was way too tight, and I adjusted it. Maybe the switch that disables power when the brakes are applied isn't releasing? Any idea where exactly that switch is?

There are a lot of posts around about two problems: (1) Bike won't turn on, or (2) no PAS but good throttle. My problem is neither of those.

Thanks!

[DCH3416]

The brake lever uses a hall sensor to determine motor cutoff and brake light. You can unplug or check for brake light illumination.

[NeedSomePower]

Thanks, DCH3416, but I'm unable to check out the brake lights because now the bike is operating normally.

This has now happened twice: No power (PAS or throttle) at 7 - 8 AM. Problem clears up a few hours later with bike just sitting. The first time it had just come off the charger, so I thought maybe the battery was hot, but today it had not been charged.

It's true that the garage is colder earlier, but it's a small range. Maybe 60 degrees F at 7 AM and maybe 70 a few hours later.

[NeedSomePower]

The theory I'm leaning toward is an out-of-adjustment brake. My front brake lever had very little travel, so I think it may have triggered the motor-cutoff/stop light while at rest. I loosened it. Next time this happens, I'll see if the brake light is on.

But if my theory is correct, with the brake looser, it may never happen again.

[Radtothebone]

To make sure it's not the brakes, just disconnect the brake lever electrical connectors and see if the throttle and pas work. Not a good idea to ride it that way, but a good way to isolate the issue.

[JimL]

All of our Mini ST will occasionally do this, and I have learned to give both brake levers a quick apply and let them "snap" off.  If I just pull and ease off the levers....still no power or PAS.  The quick flick of the levers seems to be the answer.  In fact, I have learned that it doesn't seem to matter which lever I flick!

It seems to occur most often on places on the mountain bike trail where I am standing on the pedals, downhill fast coast, with the brakes lightly applied.  I ease off  the brakes to begin climbing the next hill...and....no power!

A couple quick brake lever flicks, and everything is back.

[NeedSomePower]

To make sure it's not the brakes, just disconnect the brake lever electrical connectors and see if the throttle and pas work. Not a good idea to ride it that way, but a good way to isolate the issue.

Disconnected right and left electrical connections to brake levers, and problem persists. Also, when the problem occurs, the brake light is NOT on. So, probably not in the area of the brake levers.

[DCH3416]

The brake light should only come on when you're pulling the brake lever.

When this issue happens, does immediately turning your bike off and back on fix it?

[NeedSomePower]

The brake light should only come on when you're pulling the brake lever.

When this issue happens, does immediately turning your bike off and back on fix it?

No.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

[DCH3416]

The brake light should only come on when you're pulling the brake lever.

When this issue happens, does immediately turning your bike off and back on fix it?

No.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Only other thing that comes to mind. Unplug and plug the motor cable. Maybe that's slightly loose and it's causing intermittent faults. It would match why you're observing no throttle and PAS. Also the display does not error out for that condition as it would for if say a brake lever was stuck or other general electronic fault.

[NeedSomePower]

The brake light should only come on when you're pulling the brake lever.

When this issue happens, does immediately turning your bike off and back on fix it?

No.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Only other thing that comes to mind. Unplug and plug the motor cable. Maybe that's slightly loose and it's causing intermittent faults. It would match why you're observing no throttle and PAS. Also the display does not error out for that condition as it would for if say a brake lever was stuck or other general electronic fault.

Thanks for this tip. Is it obvious where this connector is?

Sent from my SM-T290 using Tapatalk

[DCH3416]

Only other thing that comes to mind. Unplug and plug the motor cable. Maybe that's slightly loose and it's causing intermittent faults. It would match why you're observing no throttle and PAS. Also the display does not error out for that condition as it would for if say a brake lever was stuck or other general electronic fault.

Thanks for this tip. Is it obvious where this connector is?

Sent from my SM-T290 using Tapatalk

Yeah it's the big connector on the back left hand side of the bike, the side with the brake rotor. Runs right next to brake line from the rear caliper. You might have to clip a zip tie to get some slack to unplug it.

[NeedSomePower]

Yeah it's the big connector on the back left hand side of the bike, the side with the brake rotor. Runs right next to brake line from the rear caliper. You might have to clip a zip tie to get some slack to unplug it.

With the bike on a stand, I was able to recreate the problem -- including spinning for a second before stopping -- by wiggling the connector. So, I gave it a good squeeze, which wasn't that easy. I used a big spring clamp to clamp one side to the frame, gripped the other side with pliers, and gave it a few taps so seat it.

Maybe this is the solution... I'll have to wait a few weeks to be sure.

Thanks again, DCH3416!

[netjamer]

Brand new rad rover 6- the bike has 50 miles- one day of perfect operation, then the no throttle and no PAS problem.. The brake "flick" seems to be correcting the issue. My concern is that it seems to be happening every time I use the brakes?!.. Is there something behind this issue that can prevent it from happeneng in the first place>?

[NeedSomePower]

Brand new rad rover 6- the bike has 50 miles- one day of perfect operation, then the no throttle and no PAS problem.. The brake "flick" seems to be correcting the issue. My concern is that it seems to be happening every time I use the brakes?!.. Is there something behind this issue that can prevent it from happeneng in the first place>?

At first, I was convinced a too-tight front brake was the problem. One time when I had no motor, I loosened the brake cable and the motor came back. But, still, from time-to-time, I had no motor. Then I tightened the motor connector, and since then (about a week) the problem has not recurred, so I'm hoping that was it. This connector is much larger than the others and is on the left side of the bike, between the battery and the motor. (See photo.)