Why the electric bike display is not working

Why the electric bike display is not working

A bike computer is a complement to a traditional road bike or MTB. But for an e-bike, the electric bike display is like the eyes of that bike. You don’t just use it to track rides; it indicates whether your bike is ok; just like our eyes indicate whether we’re sleeping or awake. If everything is fine on the bike, the display will light up.

If the display does not light up, there is a problem with the e-bike. So, if the e-bike monitor isn’t working, you have to fix it. In any case, to fix your device, you have to know why it’s not working. The bicycle display may stop working due to faulty IC or damaged screen. However, it often happens that the monitor stops functioning due to its own failure. Most of the time, other components of the bike cause the display to be wrong.
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7 Reasons Your Electric Bike Display Isn’t Working

Why the electric bike display is not working
Electric bike monitors stop working most of the time due to insufficient or no power. It occurs due to loose connections, faulty connectors, or damaged components. A dead battery could also be a cause. However, it is rare for a monitor to stop working due to a defective circuit or screen.

Whatever the problem, you need to diagnose your bike to identify and fix the problem. Let’s dig out why so you can do it perfectly.

Empty battery: Since the power flow starts here, it is best to start with the battery. If the battery is low or dead, the display will not light up when the bike is turned on.
Loose Connections: Most commonly, there is a power outage to the display due to a loose connection through the wiring. There are six or more wires connected to the circuit. As soon as one or more of them is disconnected or loose, the monitor will stop functioning.
Broken Teeth/Pins: Connectors connect the bike computer to the battery and controller. If a single tooth of this connector breaks, the display will not work. Additionally, a broken leg in the battery system prevents current from reaching the computer. Therefore, the display can stop working.
Controller failure: The controller is one of the most important parts of an electric bike. You can turn the bike on/off, accelerate or brake. If the controller is not functioning properly, the display will flicker or not work properly.
Defective switch: A power button is installed on the throttle to turn the bike on. The display also has function keys for on/off or set/reset itself. If at least one of these buttons is broken, the monitor cannot be turned on.
Blown fuse: Electrical components heat up a lot due to overloading. As a result, the fuse blows. Not only fuses, but any type of wire can also burn out from overheating. In these cases, the monitor will stop working.
Defective IC/screen: In rare cases, the problem is inside the bike computer. It could be a damaged integrated circuit or a damaged screen.

Quick Fixes for Electric Bike Displays

Before starting the real repair work, you should try a quick fix one last time. Most of the time, the monitor will be fixed. So, let us know what you should try.

Charge the battery: The battery needs to be charged to light up the display. Therefore, you must make sure that there is enough power in the battery. Before doing so, please check the battery level. You can check with the battery level indicator. If your e-bike battery does not have a battery level indicator, use a voltmeter to determine the level. If the charge is below 40%, charge the battery and try turning the monitor on again.
Set-Reset: Sometimes, the display can be fixed by fine-tuning. So you have to try to fix the display by setting and resetting. First, reset the bike computer. To do this, press and hold the power button and the function button at the same time for 5 seconds. In this way, the display can light up. If this hack fails, reset the connector. Disconnect all of them and reconnect. Therefore, the display can be fixed.

How to Fix an Electric Bike Display

If you can’t fix your monitor using the tips above, get a professional solution. The following tips can help you solve the problem. But before that, you must have some necessary tools and supplies ready. It is necessary to do the job easily and perfectly.

The basic tools you will need…

Screwdriver Set: A must-have repair tool for opening and accessing various bicycle parts.
Soldering Iron Kit: It is necessary to connect the wires with the connectors. Also, modifying the circuit is impossible without a soldering iron.

Wire Connectors: Get some compatible wire connectors. You may need them if you notice broken connectors in your controller.

 

Tip 1: Correct electrical faults

As I said before, loose connections are the main cause of display power outages. That’s why it’s best to start by eliminating electrical faults. Let’s do it right step by step.

First, find every wire splice through the bike. Whether it’s a motor, a battery throttle, or a computer. Then, identify the disconnect or loose connection and reconnect. You can also replace the wiring if it is badly damaged or burnt.
Second, take the controller out of the bike frame. It is mainly located near the battery management system. First, loosen the panel screws and remove them. Then take a photo of the controller panel. So you can remember the wiring alignment. Now disconnect all cables and remove the controller from the bike.
Finally, look for damaged wires and connectors. If you find any problem, please adjust or fix it. Replace them if they are badly damaged or beyond repair. After that, don’t reinstall the controller and follow the next prompt.
You may be interested in the reason why the electric bike motor loses power

Tip 2: Swap Components

Sometimes things go wrong beyond repair. So it’s better to swap some components that are causing too many problems. In this case, you can name the controller a swappable component. However, replacing the controller is a bit expensive. Instead, you can replace the MOSFET and save some money.

First, get some MOSFETs. Typically, 6 or more MOSFETs are installed on the controller. However, you must match the input and output voltages of the new MOSFET to the old MOSFET. Also, check the resistance provided by these MOSFETs.

Finally, replace the damaged MOSFET. Before doing so, remove the controller case and take out the circuit. Now, cut the old MOSFET with small needle nose pliers. Then, place new MOSFETs according to the circuit. Finally, connect the MOSFETs by soldering.

 

Tip 3: Replacing the Bike Computer

How to Fix an Electric Bike Display
If the monitor’s IC or screen is defective, I recommend that you do not repair it yourself. Instead, you should leave it to an electrician who is good at repair work. First, you have to ask questions and find out how much he will charge. You can then decide whether to repair or replace it.

In any case, if you decide to replace it, know that a bike computer is an expensive accessory. A budget one costs around $150, with mid-to-high-end prices ranging from $300 to $400.

However, consider screen size, battery backup, connectivity, and other features before buying a cycling computer. If you asked me to recommend, I would recommend the Germain Edge 530. It’s one of the best electric bike monitors for your money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are e-bike monitors interchangeable?
Yes! Electric bike displays are interchangeable. You might think there might be compatibility issues on your smartphone, TV, or computer. But on e-bike monitors, there is no such thing as compatibility. It would work if you could somehow connect the monitor with the controller.
How do I know if my e-bike controller is working?
As I said before, faulty controllers can cause display errors. So you have to know if the controller is working properly. The controller is a hub that powers all bike components with optimum resistance. This work is done by a set of MOSFETs. Testing the controller actually means evaluating the resistance of these MOSFETs. You can measure it with a multimeter. If the resistance is at the optimum level, the controller is OK. However, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for optimal resistance levels.

In conclusion

You already know the importance of electric bike monitors. So, when it dies, it presses on your nerves. However, some bicycle components are associated with the display. These components break most of the time and the display stops working. Also, the IC or the screen may be the problem of display failure. Either way, when the IC or screen fails, you might consider getting a new bike computer. But for other failures, solutions are easy to come by.

Before that, you must know why the electric bike display is not working. Then, fix accordingly. Don’t worry, everything will be fine then.

 

If you are looking for a new way of commuting or want a healthier lifestyle, we are here to help you. Visit our website to learn more about electric bikes and electric scooter or please leave information to us.