What Causes the Clicking Sound When Starting an Electric Tricycle?
3 Answers
The reasons for the clicking sound when starting an electric tricycle are as follows: Controller malfunction: The controller is the main device that controls occasional commutation. When the controller is damaged (mainly due to internal control program disorder or loss), the electric vehicle will make a clicking noise during startup and riding. In this case, it is necessary to replace the controller with the corresponding phase angle and brake level, or replace it with a Hall-less self-learning type controller. Throttle handle malfunction: According to electric tricycle manufacturers, when the throttle handle has poor contact or the internal Hall performance deteriorates, the electric vehicle will make a clicking noise during startup and riding. At this time, you can use the DC voltage range of a multimeter to measure the voltage between the Hall signal line and the negative pole, and the value varies depending on the throttle handle and controller.
I've ridden many electric tricycles and encountered the problem of a jerking sound when starting. Mostly, it's due to the excessive torque impact when the motor starts or the drive chain being too loose, causing disengagement. The sound is like something is knocking. It could also be that the rear wheel bearings are worn, causing uneven friction when rotating. Usually, if you start too aggressively, the unstable current at the moment of acceleration can also cause vibrations. Once, my vehicle suddenly had this issue, and upon inspection, I found that the chain was stuck due to lack of lubrication. After regular maintenance, it never happened again. For safety, don't ignore these sounds—they indicate that parts are aging and it's time to send the vehicle to the shop for tuning.
I find the clunking noise when starting an electric tricycle quite annoying, usually caused by minor issues accumulating. For example, loose suspension components can cause shaking and knocking sounds during startup; or the controller's current is too high, making the motor jerk upon starting. Loose battery connections can also cause unstable current conduction and noise. I've repaired it several times and noticed it's more prone to happen on rainy days due to moisture corroding the connections. If not addressed promptly, a broken chain could be very dangerous. I recommend checking the chassis and tightening screws every time you park.
