What Causes the Clicking Sound and Failure to Move When Accelerating an Electric Tricycle?

[LeMadison]

Reasons for the clicking sound during acceleration: Brake System: The noise may originate from the brake system. In southern regions, where spring and autumn are humid and rainy seasons, prolonged driving in such conditions can cause the brake discs to gradually rust. Vehicles with waterlogged chassis are particularly prone to oxidized and rusted brake discs. Foreign Objects in Tires: The noise could be due to foreign objects trapped in the tire treads, such as screws, stones, or other hard objects. Removing these objects from the tires will resolve the noise issue. Chassis Issues: This is one of the most common faults. Many vehicles develop suspension aging after prolonged use, leading to the gradual failure of certain suspension support components. This results in the chassis making noises during acceleration.

[Ariana]

Two years ago, my cargo tricycle had the same issue—clicking noises when throttling but the wheels wouldn't move. The most common causes are a faulty controller or burnt Hall sensors in the motor, causing electrical conflicts that produce telegraph-like clunking. Alternatively, gearbox slippage, especially after hauling heavy loads uphill, often leads to stripped teeth. For quick diagnosis, open the controller box under the seat and check for burnt smells—if present, there's a 90% chance it's the culprit. Loose motor wiring can also cause this, though usually without the clunking. Last time I replaced the controller for ¥180—a 30-minute job any roadside repair stall can handle.

[MaxDella]

I've been delivering packages with an electric tricycle for five years. This kind of issue is most likely caused by damaged planetary gears in the gearbox. When you spin the wheels freely, can you hear a rattling sound? If the gears are missing teeth and can't mesh properly, it will make a clunking noise. Another possibility is that the brake cable is rusted shut, preventing the brake pads from releasing. Try turning the rear wheel by hand to see if it's difficult. Just last week, my colleague's vehicle had a locked-up brake, and the mechanic fixed it by adjusting the position of the brake lever. If the keyway on the motor shaft is worn round, it can also cause slipping. This would require disassembling the motor to replace the shaft, making the repair a bit more complicated.

[VeraFitz]

This clicking noise might be caused by a seized cross joint in the rear axle. My uncle's orchard tricycle had the same issue last year. Lift the vehicle and tap the rear axle housing with an iron rod - if the clicking sound reduces, it means the bearings have collapsed. Worn differential side gears can also produce strange noises, especially when making turns with heavy loads. Here's a budget-friendly test method: remove the chain connecting the motor to the rear axle and check if the motor runs independently.