The display on an electric bike is its brain; it shows you the speed, the covered range, the battery level, and the bike’s condition. If this display turns off, you’ll be riding the bicycle cluelessly, not knowing how much speed you’re doing and the distance you’ve covered. The worst is that the battery can suddenly run out without warning.
An electric bike display can turn off due to an empty battery, faulty battery management system configuration, sensor failure, a loose connection, or a motor inhibitor. These factors mean the display needs more power to display information.
In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss the different reasons your e-bike display may keep turning off. I’ll also provide solutions to this problem. Keep reading!
Reasons an Electric Bike Display Keeps Turning Off
Approximately 1,000 cyclists die in the U.S. annually due to accidents. Most of these accidents result from over-speeding, unsafe lane changes, and turning without looking for other cyclists. A display keeps you aware of your bike’s conditions.
So an e-bike’s display that keeps turning off can be a risky one. The leading causes of this problem are as follows:
An Empty Battery Is Behind Your E-Bike Display Malfunction
The power flow to your e-bike’s display starts from the battery. Therefore, the display will need more power to stay on if the battery is empty.
The good thing about electric bike batteries is that you can determine the battery’s lifespan by looking at the bike’s range. The range refers to how far the bike can go on a single charge. For instance, if your bike’s range is 60 miles (97 kilometers), you can expect the battery to start dying after covering 55 miles (89 kilometers).
Some bikes’ functionalities, including the display, may go off when the battery becomes low.
Your Battery Management System Configuration Is Faulty
The battery management system (BMS) controls and optimizes the flow of electricity in your e-bike’s battery. A wrong configuration may interfere with the power supply to the display, causing it to turn off.
A battery pack that fails under load is a sure way to know that the BMS is the problem. When this happens, the BMS shuts off the system to prevent the pack from overheating.
Moreover, the BMS cuts off the power supply when the battery drains quickly below the set safe levels.
Your E-Bike Display Is off Due to Sensor Failure
Some e-bikes have a sensor that detects your pedaling strength and adjusts the motor’s assistance accordingly. This sensor can affect the power supply for the display if it malfunctions. In this case, the display may turn off whenever you pedal harder or faster.
Your E-Bike Has a Loose Connection
Your e-bike’s display may turn on and off due to a loose connection between the display and the power source. This issue can happen when the connectors are not tightly attached or corrosion in the wires.
In most cases, you may realize that the display turns on when you hit a bump or any other obstacle on the road. The hitting impact completes the circuit, turning on the display at the loose point.
Your E-Bike Has Motor Inhibition
The bike’s brake motor inhibitor (cut-off wires) shuts off the motor when you engage the brakes. This mechanism is a safety feature that prevents the motor from running while you’re braking.
If the inhibitor malfunctions, it may cut off the power supply to the display. In this case, your e-bike’s display will turn on and off whenever you engage or release the brakes.
Your Display Turns Off Due to a Blown Fuse
Electrical components are prone to heating, primarily due to overloading. However, e-bikes have fuses that shut off the power supply when they detect excess current.
A blown fuse creates an open circuit between the power source and the display. As a result, the display won’t receive the power needed to stay on.
Solutions to an Electric Bike Display That Keeps Turning Off
Now that you know why your e-bike’s display keeps turning off, how can you solve the problem? Read on to find out.
1. Charge the Battery
Most cyclists ignore the battery when troubleshooting an e-bike’s display that keeps turning off. However, it’s worth noting that your battery can run empty without your knowledge. Therefore, the first fix should be to charge the battery to determine the cause.
As a rule of thumb, it’s advisable to have a fully-charged battery before each ride. This process ensures that your display won’t turn off mid-ride.
2. Check the Battery Management System
If charging the battery doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to look at the BMS configuration. Ensure all settings are set correctly for optimal power management in your e-bike’s battery pack.
If you’re unsure if BMS configuration is the problem, try using the battery on a different bike with the same configuration as yours. If the battery is to blame, the display should keep turning off.
3. Check Sensor Functionality
If your e-bike has a pedal assist sensor, check its functionality by engaging and releasing the motor while pedaling at different intensities. If there are any abnormalities or inconsistencies, have a professional mechanic take a look at the sensor.
Fixing the sensor if you don’t have the necessary knowledge can cause more harm than good. Therefore, you should always consult an expert.
4. Reattach or Replace Loose Connections
Inspect the connectors and wires between the battery and the display for any signs of corrosion or looseness. It would be best if you took your time to inspect the following components:
- The battery’s throttle
- The motor
- The display
You should identify loose, corroded, or bent wires while inspecting each wire splice through the bike. After that, tighten all connections, replace corroded wires, and check if the display turns on. If not, check the controller’s wiring using the procedure below:
- Loosen the controller’s panels and remove them.
- Take a photo of the controller’s wiring to remember the alignment.
- Disconnect the cables and remove the controller from the frame.
- Inspect the controller for damaged connectors and wires.
- Tighten the cables and replace the damaged ones.
- Reinstall the controller and check whether you have fixed the problem.
5. Check Motor Inhibitor
Engage and release your e-bike’s brakes several times to see if the display turns on.
The motor inhibitor is likely malfunctioning if the display keeps turning off each time you engage the brake.
In this case, you should have a professional mechanic inspect and replace your bike’s brake motor inhibitors to solve the issue.
Final Thoughts
Your electric bike’s display should be on throughout the ride. The causes may range from a discharged battery to a faulty motor inhibitor if it turns off. The above points should help you diagnose and fix the problem.
If it all fails or if you are not knowledgeable on doing these tests or repairs, you should consult a professional e-bike mechanic for further assistance. Happy riding!
