Does your VanMoof turn on, but you get no motor support? Then the bike suddenly feels like a heavy normal bike.
Often, the problem lies with the battery, wiring (socket), sensors, or communication between components. And sometimes it's something small you can rule out yourself.
Recognizable symptoms
You may recognize one or more of these situations:
• The bike turns on but provides no support
• Assistance cuts out while cycling
• Assistance disappears when turning the handlebars
• No speed is displayed
• The bike works again after charging, but not for long
What can you check yourself first?
Before you continue searching, there are a few things you can rule out yourself.
Step 1: Is the assist turned on?
It sounds simple, but it happens more often than you think:
• Is the power level not set to 0?
• Does the boost button still work properly?
Sometimes it seems like the bike isn't providing assistance, when it's simply on the lowest setting or the boost button isn't responding.
Step 2: Is speed measurement working?
Pay attention to the display while cycling:
• Do you see no speed?
Then there's a good chance the bike doesn't know you're moving → and therefore won't provide assistance.
This often indicates:
• Socket (wiring harness) problem
• Motor or sensor signal cutting out
Step 3: Test with steering
While cycling:
• Slowly turn your handlebars left and right
Does the assistance cut out or return?
Then the problem is often in:
• Internal wiring (socket) that is under tension
Step 4: Charge status and behavior
• Is the bike charged more than 20%? (When battery is very low the motor support will be diminished which in normal behaviour)
• Does it work briefly after charging and then cut out again?
This often indicates a battery problem or voltage drop under load.
Step 5: Do you see error codes?
Look for error codes such as:
• Error 6, 17, 20 → battery problem
• Error 45, 48 → wiring / motor connection
A lack of error codes does not guarantee that there are no hardware issues however.
What are the most common causes?
Battery problems
• Assistance cuts out under load
• Bike works temporarily after charging
Often linked to:
• Error 6 / 17 / 20
👉 Read more: Battery problems with VanMoof S3 & X3
Socket (wiring harness) problems
One of the most common causes.
Due to wear in the wiring harness (especially near the handlebars):
• Assistance cuts out
• Speed measurement disappears
• You sometimes get Error 45 or 48
👉 Read more: VanMoof socket problems explained
Sensor or motor problems
The bike must register that you are pedaling.
If that doesn't happen:
• You get no assistance
• The bike feels completely “dead”
Possible causes:
• Bottom bracket sensor defective
• Cable to motor damaged
• Internal motor damage (often audible)
• Weak motor
Smart unit (main computer)
Controls all communication.
In case of problems:
• The bike turns on
• But assistance does not work properly
Sometimes linked to:
• Error 23
Differences per VanMoof model
VanMoof S2 & X2
Very similar to the S3/X3:
• Often wiring or sensor related
• Less complex electronics, but similar symptoms
VanMoof S5 / A5
With these models, we regularly see a specific problem:
• Motor cable poorly connected to the Main ECU
Typical signals:
• No speed display
• No assistance
Sometimes this can be solved relatively easily by:
• Reconnecting the cable properly
• Adding an extra bracket for reinforcement
However, the problem with the S5/A5 is sometimes a bit more complex.
These models have a more extensive electronic system where multiple components communicate with each other. In some cases, we see that:
• The motor controller in the main computer has problems
• The Power ECU is damaged
👉 In these cases, a diagnosis is needed to determine exactly where the problem lies.
Please note:
Many S5/A5 bikes are still under warranty. We can diagnose these bikes and, if applicable, repair them under warranty.
VanMoof S6
These models are less predictable and differ slightly from earlier generations.
Possible causes:
• Software problems
• Less known fault patterns (relatively little data is available yet)
👉 Therefore, a diagnosis is almost always necessary to properly determine the problem.
Please note:
Many S6 bikes are still under warranty. We can diagnose them and, if applicable, repair them under warranty.
⚠️ Please note: it is not always one clear cause
In some cases, the problem is a combination of several factors, such as:
• Wear in wiring
• Minor electronic malfunctions
• Battery problems
Electronics unfortunately do not always work in black and white, making a targeted diagnosis important.
Our approach: first diagnosis
At WheelGood, we always start with a diagnosis.
This way, we prevent unnecessary parts from being replaced and know exactly where the problem lies.
Then you get:
• A clear explanation
• A price quote
• And only then do we carry out the repair
When should you come by?
Come by if:
• The bike provides no assistance
• The speed is not displayed
• Assistance cuts out while cycling
• Or if you are in doubt
In these cases, further investigation is needed.