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My Scooter Starts But Won’t Accelarate: Common Reasons Exaplained

If your scooter starts but won't accelerate, then worry no more because we have compiled a checklist to solve your problem. Check it out.

So your scooter starts but won’t accelerate no matter what you do?

Well, you are not alone.

My cousin had the same problem and I used simple tricks to help him solve the problem. 

Let’s review some of the reasons why your scooter starts but fails to accelerate and then share the solutions to those problems.

6 Reasons why an e-scooter starts but won’t accelerate [+Fixes]

To fix such problems:

  • Fix any loose connections
  • Replace a damaged throttle 
  • Follow the right Parameter settings
  • Switch to the fastest mode
  • Ensure that the battery is fully charged. 

1. The throttle has a dead zone

The throttle is the electric scooter part associated with initiating acceleration.

An electric scooter can start properly but when the throttle has a dead zone, it can be futile for it to accelerate. 

This is especially common with the thumb throttle type and in fact, Voro Motors had to change from the thumb to trigger throttle type to solve the problem from their older EMOVE Cruiser batches. 

While there are not many causes leading to a dead zone in a scooter’s throttle, the problem is mostly irreversible. 

How to fix a dead zone in the throttle

When the throttle of your scooter shows signs of a dead zone, then you are left with no choice but to replace it with a functional one.

Thankfully, this is a seamless process with the most recent scooters as they have a plug-and-play throttle. 

2. Damaged throttle

If your scooter features a trigger or a twist throttle, then the chances of it having a dead zone are minimal (unlike the thumb type). 

Scooter throttle problems are unfortunately common and one of the leading causes of these problems is contact with water.

This is especially true with scooters that feature throttles without any water-resistance ratings. 

When the throttle is damaged, the scooter starts perfectly but there is not and can never be any acceleration when you press the component. 

In our blog post about fixing electric scooter throttles, we shared the different steps you can follow to test whether it’s functional and how you can fix it in case something seems amiss. 

How to fix a damaged scooter throttle

If you find that the throttle is indeed damaged, you have no choice but to replace it.

The replacement process definitely varies from one model to the other, but scooters that feature the plug-and-play type offer the easiest replacement process. 

For those scooters that don’t, then replacing the throttle may involve you cutting the wires coming from the controller, connecting them to the new throttle, and soldering them. 

We highly discourage doing this as it may lead you to void your warranty or actually damage the scooter.

If you aren’t handy enough, just look for a scooter repair center near you and have them do the replacement job for you. 

3. Loose connections

When there are loose connections between the controller and the throttle, then the scooter won’t accelerate. 

There are different reasons why there could be loose connections, with the most common one being an unplugged wire or connector just on the controller. 

This happens often and surprisingly some electric scooters reach the customers in such a manner.

When it happens with new scooters, there are no ifs and buts.

It shows no QC was done. 

The other reasons why there could be loose connections from the controller to the throttle could be that some wires have fried, snapped from the connections, or been cut.

How to fix loose connections

Open the deck and check if there are loose cables coming from the controller.

You can gently shake all the wires and see if there are ones that come off or that show signs of disconnection. 

After that, you can solder any loose wires from the controller.

If there are no loose connections whatsoever beneath the deck, move with all those wires and thoroughly check if there are any snapped wires.

If there are still none, then it could be an issue of a dead zone in the throttle or the accelerator could as well be damaged. 

4. The cut off voltage has kicked in

Modern electric scooters have the Battery Management System that prevents undecharging and overcharging the scooter; which could damage the battery. 

In ensuring that the battery remains in an optimal form and shape, most scooters today also have the cut off voltage that ensures you don’t ride past some voltage. 

An example is the King of offroading – YUME Y11.

When the scooter hits below 45V, the voltage cut off kicks in. 

When cut off is present, you can start your scooter well but then it won’t accelerate.

This is a measure in place to ensure that the battery isn’t abused.

In turn, the battery can stay for many charging cycles. 

How to solve the cut off voltage problem

Always ensure that your scooter has a sufficient charge before you even think of accelerating. 

You can use a multimeter to note the voltage percentage of the battery after charging, to ensure that it’s in optimal shape.

If the voltmeter shows different results, then it could mean the battery has some deteriorating cells. 

Defective battery cells make a scooter have a faster cut off time.

If that is the case, ensure that you replace them (a very complicated process) or replace the battery. 

If you are wondering if an escooter can turn on when some battery cells are dead, then Yes.

However, accelerating could be where that scooter draws the line. 

vector graphic showing an illustration of a scooter starts but won't accelerate

5. Improper P-Settings

For the scooter to accelerate well after starting, it’s good to ensure that you are within the recommended P-settings. 

Some scooters offer the “Soft Start†feature from the Parameter Settings menu and activating it is one of the ways to ensure the acceleration is not only not jerky but buttery smooth. 

How to fix improper P-settings

As the rule of thumb, always ensure that you have your manual intact as it is what you will use to keep the Parameter settings as recommended. 

Now, if your scooter doesn’t accelerate no matter what you do, follow the default P-settings from the manual and see if it does the trick. 

If you don’t have the manual, you can search on YouTube for your models Parameter settings.

Also, you can get in touch with the seller and have them send you a soft copy of these settings.

6. Slow speed mode

Most modern electric scooters come with speed modes to offer more versatility.

If your scooter was say on the ECO mode, you can as well try to engage the Sport Mode (or the fastest according to your model and see). 

How to solve this

Press the button on your scooter indicating the fastest riding mode.

In such a case, you will be unlocking any speed limits making accelerating hard. 

Wrapping Up

If your electric scooter starts but won’t accelerate, then it could be a problem with loose, improperly functioning components or improper settings.

To fix such problems:

  • Fix any loose connections
  • Replace a damaged throttle 
  • Follow the right Parameter settings
  • Switch to the fastest mode
  • Ensure that the battery is fully charged. 
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