Top Mobility Scooter Issues And How To Tackle Them

A mobility scooter is a very important asset for anyone who wants to remain independent and continue interacting socially. However, like every other piece of technology, mobility scooters are also subject to wear and tear.

The fixes we present in this article may help you prevent damage to your mobility scooter; however, you may need to have your scooter evaluated by a professional if you are experiencing major problems. Mainly because mobility scooters are electronic devices that can easily be destroyed if not serviced properly.

If you want to troubleshoot issues on your mobility scooter, this list of common problems might be able to help you fix your mobility scooter.

1. The Battery

The battery of your mobility scooter will wear down over time. If you’ve had your mobility scooter for a while or if you normally run the battery all the way down each time you use it, then there is a good chance that it will start to show signs of degrading. Degrading will lead to loss in speed, loss in the driving range and even possibly a non-functioning mobility scooter.

What To Do:

A degraded battery is almost impossible to revive. Once it is degraded, there is nothing much one can do. Meaning that you would most likely have to replace it. There are however steps you can take to preserve the battery.

- Regularly test the battery to see if it still holds a charge of 12 or 24V.

- Make sure you keep your batteries charged. Your batteries should never go for weeks without being charged, even if your mobility scooter is not in use. Leaving your batteries uncharged for a long period of time contributes to a quicker battery death.

- Do not overcharge your batteries. You can damage your batteries by overcharging them. The best way to charge them is to go all the way to 90% when you use the mobility scooter frequently and only up to 50% when usage declines.

- Keep your batteries clean as they can develop buildup. Clean regularly with battery cleaner spray or with a wire brush.

- Check your battery connections. Sometimes your mobility scooter won’t start because the battery is loose in its seat. Make sure the connections are plugged in all the way before you consider further troubleshooting.

- If all else fails unplug your battery and remove it completely from the scooter. Charge the battery separately using a 12V charger. This might take quite a while – about 15 battery cycles – before the battery is in good working condition again.

2. The Motor

The motor in your mobility scooter is very important. Fortunately, motors are built strong and durable. But a random forward lurching movement is a sign that your motor is failing. If this starts to happen, you have two options: either replace the motor or get a new mobility scooter.

What To Do:

- If you are mechanically savvy, you can order a new motor and install it yourself. However, this is not always recommended as the potential to cause an error is high. It is always best to have a professional mobility scooter technician work under your hood.

3. The Tires

The tread on your tires will wear down over time, making your tires ineffective. The inner tubes in the tires may also be punctured or deteriorate. Tires that are worn out or are flat make your mobility scooter ineffective and can be a danger to you and others.

What To Do:

- Replacing mobility scooter tires is almost the same as changing a car tire, so you might be able to do it yourself.

- If you have limited mobility and changing a tire is not an option, you can contact a mobility scooter technician, who can easily replace the tire for you.

- Your local home and garden store may also be able to do the job for you since the process is almost similar to that of replacing a lawnmower tire.

4. The Ignition Switch

Mobility scooter ignition switches are more or less similar to those on cars or on riding lawnmowers. Due to exposure to the elements, they can become corroded over time and stop working. Additionally, you key may break, and when it breaks inside the ignition, it can be difficult to remove.

What To Do:

- First disconnect your mobility scooter battery before you attempt to repair or replace the ignition switch.

- Try to clean the ignition switch by using a pressurized can of air to blow dirt and grime out of the switch. In some cases, this may be enough to fix the problem.

- Should this not work, you may need to order another ignition switch and install it. Before ordering a new ignition be sure to consult with a trained technician.

- If your problem is a broken key, a pair of pliers may be helpful to grip the broken piece and pull it out. Similarly, you may have success using a magnetic device to extract the broken piece

5. The Fuse

Different sections of your mobility scooter are wired through a fuse. This is done in order to prevent an overload of electricity, which could turn out to be fatal. If your mobility scooter is working fine except for one specific part, then the problem could be a blown fuse.

What To Do:

- First, find the instruction manual for your mobility scooter.

- Then locate the fuse panel on your scooter.

- Look at the fuse and if you notice that the thin wires inside are broken you will need to replace it.

- Make sure to check the manual for which type of fuse to buy and install it.

6. Electrical Problems

Mobility scooters are electronic devices and therefore do not function optimally when they build up moisture on the inside. If your mobility scooter has been outside in rainy weather, the internal components can become damaged. Additionally, driving on bumpy surfaces can cause wires to loosen. Should this happen, it normally will not take long for you to notice because parts or all of your mobility scooter will not work anymore.

What To Do:

- First, reach for the wires that you can access and check for any loose connections.

- If that does not work, take your mobility scooter to a technician. They will be able to determine where the problem is.

7. The Potentiometer

The potentiometer of your mobility scooter is related to throttle control. This tiny device is what tells your mobility scooter how fast or how slow it should go. Therefore, if you notice your mobility scooter suddenly going slower without you having done anything to slow it down the potentiometer could be failing.

What To Do:

- First, check all of the fuses in your mobility scooter. Use the manual to locate them.

- If possible, also check the fuses inside the potentiometer.

- If there is no improvement after replacing the broken fuse, you may have to replace your potentiometer.

8. Alignment

Your mobility scooter can also lose its alignment just like a vehicle. When this happens, it will pull either more to the right or to the left because it is misaligned. The cause of this is mainly due to years of use or due to bumpy roads.

What To Do:

- Aligning your mobility scooter wheels is quite simple. In many cases all you have to do is hold the front wheels still while forcing the turning mechanism to line up. A good example is in the case of bicycles and lawnmowers. This is how they are crudely aligned on the spot.

- If your mobility scooter system is a bit more complicated you would have to take it in for realignment.

9. Free Wheel Lever Problems

Most mobility scooters come with a free wheel lever. This lever is used to release the wheels from the drive train. What this does is allow you to push the scooter like a wheelchair when the need arises. However, if you unlock the free wheel lever and forget to lock it again, you might think that your mobility scooter is broken. 

What To Do:

- If your mobility scooter is not moving, the first thing you must check is the free-wheel lever.

- All you need to do is disengage it and your mobility scooter will be able to move again.

Conclusion

Mobility scooters are a much-needed mobility aid for many people including the elderly people. They however do experience the occasional breakdown, which must be addressed in order to restore mobility and functionality. We hope these mobility scooter fixes were able to help you.  

To talk to our friendly team of experts, simply call: 800-498-2560