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