It is an absolute blast to ride an off-road electric skateboard, but sometimes things don’t quite go as expected: your board begins to make unusual noises, or, worse still, it simply ceases to function. But fear not! This guide is designed to keep you safe, diagnose what went wrong, and get you back up and running in no time, even if you’re a skateboarding newbie or out riding alone for the first time.
Pre-Ride: Your Safety First Preventive Checklist
Before every ride, especially on rough trails or long trips, take 5 minutes to check these things for your E-skateboard, which will help you stop problems before they start:
checklist of 9 steps:
- Turn it on – Make sure your board powers up and connects to the remote.
- Test the remote – Try the throttle and brakes. If they feel weird or delayed, stop and check.
- Look at the belts – Do you see any cracks, tears, or tiny rocks stuck in the pulleys? Replace broken belts. (But no need with an ECOMOBL model with planetary gear mode!)
- Spin the wheels – Do all four wheels spin smoothly? If one feels stuck, check it closely.
- Check the wheel nuts – Are they tight? Loose nuts can make the wheels fall off!
- Look at the board deck – Are there cracks or layers coming apart, especially near the trucks?
- Look under the board – Are the battery case and ESC (the control box) cracked or loose?
- Check the battery wires – Are the wires damaged or unplugged? Make sure nothing is fraying.
- If you have tires – Check the air pressure and look for sharp stuff stuck in them.
Even if everything looks fine, this quick check can help you spot a small problem before it becomes a big one.
On-the-Fly Emergencies: How to React When Things Go Wrong
If something suddenly feels wrong during your ride, what you should do immediately are:
- Stop in a safe spot.
- Don’t keep riding.
- Breathe. You can fix this.
And after your stop, do the quick check:
Can you still control the board with the remote?
If you can still control the board with the remote:
- Check the wheels: Spin them by hand to ensure they move freely. If they don’t, look for debris or obstruction.
- If no strange noise: You can continue riding carefully.
Do the wheels move freely if you spin them by hand?
If the wheels don’t move freely:
- Inspect for debris: Remove any dirt or obstacles that might be stuck in the wheels or motor area.
- Check the motor: Look for signs of damage or blockage. If the motor seems damaged, stop riding.
Is there any strange noise like rattling, scraping, grinding?
If there’s strange noise (rattling, scraping, grinding):
- Stop riding immediately: Strange noises usually indicate an issue with the motor, wheels, or drivetrain.
- Check the motor and drivetrain: Look for any visible damage or parts that might need adjustment or repair.
Does the board turn on and respond to throttle or brake?
If the board doesn’t turn on or respond to throttle or brake:
- Check the power and wiring: Ensure the battery is properly connected and charged.
- Inspect wiring and connections: Look for any loose or damaged wires.
- Consider professional help: If the issue persists, contact a technician or repair service. Ecomobl has a comprehensive warranty policy.
Troubleshooting: Diagnosing & Solving Common Problems
Remote Disconnected or Unresponsive?
What it looks like:
You turn the board on, but nothing happens when you press the throttle or brake.
What to try:
- Turn off both the board and the remote.
- Turn on the board.
- Hold the remote’s power button until it flashes (check your manual).
- Press the small “pair” button on the remote with a paperclip.
- Try the throttle again. See if the wheels spin.
Still no luck?
- Check if the remote battery is dead. Charge it.
- If the throttle feels loose, you may need to open it up and reattach a small spring inside.
Motor Making Strange Noises or Not Working?
What it looks like:
The motor makes grinding sounds, or one wheel spins much slower than the other.
What to try:
- Flip the board over.
- Spin both back wheels by hand. Do they feel the same?
- Use the remote to press throttle. Do both wheels move at the same speed?
- Try braking. Do both stop at the same time?
If not:
- There could be dirt or rust in the motor.
- Try spinning the motor back and forth slowly.
- If it still acts weird, you may need help replacing the motor or cleaning inside it.
Brakes Feel Weak or Not Working?
What it looks like:
You press the brake and the board takes too long to stop, or doesn’t stop at all.
What to try:
- Make sure the remote is paired correctly.
- Try braking while spinning a wheel by hand—can you feel the resistance?
- If not, you might need to re-map your remote settings (some remotes require this).
If only one wheel brakes, the other motor or ESC might be disconnected.
Battery Draining Fast or Not Charging?
What it looks like:
The board won’t turn on, or says “fully charged” but won’t work.
Try this simple trick:
- Put the board on a treadmill or push it manually until the wheels spin for about 5 minutes.
- This uses regenerative braking to give the battery a small charge.
- Plug in the charger again. It might now start charging normally.
If that doesn’t work:
- Check the charger. Use a voltage meter if you have one.
- Make sure wires and connectors aren’t loose or damaged.
- If your battery is super low or unbalanced, you may need to contact support.
When to Stop and Call for Professional Help
Sometimes, it’s better to stop and get help. Call a friend or your skateboard company if:
- The board smells like burning or shows signs of smoke.
- The battery is puffy, cracked, or leaking.
- You’ve tried pairing or cleaning, and the motor still won’t spin.
- A wheel fell off and damaged part of the truck or deck.
- You don’t feel safe riding anymore.
Trying to keep riding with serious damage can make it worse, or cause injury.
Final Words about Board is Broken
It is annoying when your off-road board is broken. But there is no need to panic. Most issues, such as a wheel that is stuck, an unpaired remote, or a loose bolt, can be resolved within minutes. Just carry a small tool kit with you as you ride, and take things one step at a time, and you are good to get it moving once more. Remember to maintaintheoff-road board regularly to prevent problems from happening again.
