Your mobility scooter is something you likely rely heavily on so if you ever find yourself without the key then I understand how much you’re going to panic.
But try not to worry too much as there are ways of starting a mobility scooter without a key. In this guide, I’m going to explain all you need to know.
Understanding How Your Scooter Key Works
Before I get into the nitty gritty about how to start your mobility scooter without the key, I think it’s really important to understand how that key works.
Your mobility scooter key connects to the circuit board inside the scooter. The circuit board has a sensor that allows it to determine if the key is close by.
In some cases, you may be attempting to start your mobility scooter to no avail and that could be because of a kill switch. This will usually be called the engine stop or something along those lines and when it is pressed and the circuit boards pick up on the key, you’ll be good to go.
How To Start Your Mobility Scooter Without The Key
If you find that your mobility scooter seems to have a mind of its own and will not turn on, despite the presence of a key then there are some troubleshooting tips you can follow. Here is some advice on the first steps you should take.
- Remember that kill switch I talked about earlier? Well this is one of the first things you’ll need to check if your mobility scooter won’t play ball. Check that it is not switched on as this will prevent the motor from firing up. The button should be on the handlebars so it’s easy to locate.
- For scooters with a kill switch, you will now need to press the start button and this will allow the mobility scooter to detect a key if there is one nearby. That said, not all scooters have a kill switch and in this case, you’ll need to use the engine start button before toggling using your foot.
- The scooter will now run for around twenty seconds and will then automatically turn off.
An alternative method is to shake your mobility scooter in order to loosen the battery. This should get it to turn on and detect the key. Just keep in mind that, after shaking, you will need to hit the start button to get things going.
Getting The Scooter To Start Without A Key
In some cases, you might not have a key but it’s still possible to get your mobility scooter up and running. The main aim here is to disable the safety switch and this can be achieved in one of two ways.
The first way is to gain access to the circuit board to turn the safety switch off manually. However, the problem with this is that you will need the appropriate software and it can be tricky if you don’t know what you are doing. But there is a simpler way…
…how to disable the safety switch on your mobility scooter
You will notice that, beneath your scooter’s seat, there is a metal box that has a red light on it. This is the electronic board or ECU. Near to this box, you will see the safety switch which usually looks like a metal button; it won’t be very large.
It’s important to use the safety switch during use of the mobility scooter as this is what stops it from tipping over when you are moving around. When the switch is turned off, most scooters will shut down and display a warning. Until the safety switch is reactivated, the scooter will not turn back on.
But our aim now is to disable this safety switch and to do this, you will need to remove the key that’s inside the ECU. To get it out, you’ll need to use a screwdriver that’s small enough to get into the opening at the side of the safety switch. As you push it, it’ll click and this should allow you to start the scooter even if you don’t have the key.
What Happens If My Mobility Scooter Won’t Start?
There may be times that you try everything I have discussed in this guide only to find that your mobility scooter still won’t fire up. In this case, it’s likely to be a problem that cannot be fixed at home so you’ll need to contact the manufacturer. If your scooter is still under warranty then they should provide you with a repair or replacement.
In the event that you lose your mobility scooter key, the good news is that these are widely available and are usually universal. You can pick them up online using websites like Amazon or buy them in mobility shops. However, there are some models that you have to buy the key from the manufacturer so it’s worth checking if your device is compatible before buying a universal key.
Final Thoughts
Being unable to start your mobility scooter can put an annoying halt on life. However, if you can’t use the key or don’t have it, you could be forgiven for thinking that you wouldn’t be able to use your scooter. The good news is that it is possible to start the mobility scooter without a key using the methods discussed in this guide.
