Rad Power Bikes Owners Forum

Rad Power Bikes Chat => Service & Repair => Topic started by: NeedSomePower on September 01, 2021, 07:29:45 AM

Title: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on September 01, 2021, 07:29:45 AM
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!
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: DCH3416 on September 01, 2021, 07:53:03 AM
The brake lever uses a hall sensor to determine motor cutoff and brake light. You can unplug or check for brake light illumination.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on September 01, 2021, 10:27:04 AM
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.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on September 01, 2021, 02:00:31 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: Radtothebone on September 03, 2021, 10:58:39 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: JimL on September 18, 2021, 09:20:20 AM
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.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on September 24, 2021, 12:28:06 PM
Quote from: Radtothebone on September 03, 2021, 10:58:39 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 01:35:46 PM
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?
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on September 24, 2021, 03:21:23 PM
Quote from: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 01:35:46 PM
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

Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 04:18:01 PM
Quote from: NeedSomePower on September 24, 2021, 03:21:23 PM
Quote from: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 01:35:46 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on September 24, 2021, 04:40:03 PM
Quote from: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 04:18:01 PM
Quote from: NeedSomePower on September 24, 2021, 03:21:23 PM
Quote from: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 01:35:46 PM
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

Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 05:12:55 PM
Quote from: NeedSomePower on September 24, 2021, 04:40:03 PM
Quote from: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 04:18:01 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on September 25, 2021, 12:38:28 PM
Quote from: DCH3416 on September 24, 2021, 04:18:01 PM
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!
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: netjamer on October 04, 2021, 06:25:10 AM
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>?
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: NeedSomePower on October 04, 2021, 09:59:28 AM
Quote from: netjamer on October 04, 2021, 06:25:10 AM
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.)

Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: tptools on September 19, 2022, 09:41:40 PM
Can you explain what you mean by ?tightened the motor connector?. These look to simply snap or push together, so I am not clear what you are referring to when you say ?tighten?
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: wray on January 23, 2023, 07:53:07 AM
I'm having the very same issue with my Rad Rover 6 plus currently. Brakes have been ruled put as I've replaced them with different ones that do not connect into the system. Only solution I've had so far is turning on the bike while pedalling or throttle but as soon as I stop it won't output power again.

Let me know if you found a solution! Rads solution is send me all the parts - which are out of stock.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: mrgold35 on July 15, 2023, 10:09:56 AM
Having the exact same issue with the Radcity Plus Step-thru I purchased in July with 17 miles on it.  It ran perfectly until then and just stopped the next morning.  Displays work and you can up/down the PAS levels.  Zero power to hub motor with PAS or with throttle.  No brake light on and no change if I pump the front/rear brakes with brake light working as normal to see if the motor cut-off is engaged.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: jeffcsnider@gmail.com on September 16, 2023, 11:31:19 AM
Is anyone actually managed to get this problem fixed? I have had a new wiring harness installed and the problem persists. I have disconnected and reconnected the motor connected and the problem persist. My brakes are not stuck and I just don?t know where to go from here.
Title: Re: Bike turns on, but no PAS or throttle
Post by: Radding Along on September 28, 2023, 06:42:53 AM
There is no way to tell if the brake sensor is bad unless you unplug it. Moving your brake levers won?t help much if the sensor is already bad. Unplug the wires coming off each brake lever. They will have red ends when you unplug them. Then test the bike.

If the problem still persists, then you more than likely have a controller issue. It will have to be replaced.