Why is My Mobility Scooter Beeping and Not Moving – How to Fix?

Mobility scooters have become much easier to maintain. But just like any piece of technology, some learning comes with owning and operating a mobility scooter. So what to do when you hear that BEEP BEEP BEEP?

Mobility scooters are not difficult to use, but when something is not going right or needs repair, you should know how to figure out what it is. The sooner you can take care of any issue, the sooner you can get back to the things you love.

So why is my mobility scooter beeping and not moving, and what to check first?

What Are the Causes For Beeping?

Having your mobility scooter undergo routine maintenance is important for ensuring its longevity.

However, some things come up during the lifetime of any piece of equipment. If you or someone you know has any knowledge of machines, troubleshooting can be quick and easy.

There are a few different reasons why a mobility scooter might start beeping and be unable to move. All of them are fairly simple fixes.

• The mobility scooter may be in freewheeling mode.
• The battery may need charging.
• The brake could be engaged.

If you go through this list and find that your scooter is still not functioning properly, you should check with the manufacturer.

Freewheeling Mode

If you get on your mobility scooter and you hear a series of beeps that you have not heard before, you should not immediately become worried that something is wrong with it.

If you try to move and the scooter will not engage, it could mean that you have accidentally placed it in freewheeling mode. That will cause the motor not to move the scooter until it is off.

Putting your mobility scooter into freewheeling mode is the same as putting your car into neutral. It turns off the drive system and allows the device to be pushed manually.

It is helpful when loading the scooter into a vehicle or maneuvering through an unfamiliar area. You should be able to find two manual levers that have to be moved into position to activate the freewheeling mode.

To turn off freewheeling mode, push down on the levers and move them back into the locked position. That will reengage the braking and drive system. If you have trouble moving the levers on your own, get someone to help you do it.

The Battery May Need Charging

The problem really could be as simple as a dead battery. Look at your battery indicator and see if it is registering a full charge or is in the red.

Make sure your battery is in good condition if you plan to drive a mobility scooter on the road.

If you had the scooter plugged in until the point you turned it on, you may need to check the battery itself.

Batteries do not last forever, but it is possible to replace the battery of your mobility scooter. If you have not replaced yours in a while, it may be time for a new one.

The culprit could also be the battery charging cable. Once you have replaced the battery or determined it is not the problem, try charging it again.

If the mobility scooter still will not hold a charge, you may need to get the cable replaced.

This is not something we recommend you do yourself. You may want to take it to a service center or have a technician come and look at it.

The Brake May Be Engaged

This one may cause your face to turn a bit red with embarrassment, but it really can happen to any of us. There is a chance that the reason your mobility scooter will not move is that your brake is engaged.

It would be like trying to drive your car without taking the parking brake off.

The good thing is that it does beep and stop you from driving instead of letting you ruin your brake system.

But if you have disengaged the brake and your indicator light is still on, there may be a problem with the brakes themselves.

Again, this is a maintenance issue and will come up eventually. It does not mean that you did anything wrong with your scooter.

The Bottom Line

Mobility scooters have become a lifesaver for many, but they are expensive. Fortunately, Medicare might cover the cost of a mobility scooter in some cases (they cover the full or partial cost).

No matter how you got it, you need to take good care of your valuable assistive device to last a long time. Like any machine, it will require some maintenance now and then.

If your device keeps beeping, and you have an issue getting it moving, check the things on this list.

If you have an issue with a key, or you have lost it, check how to start your mobility scooter without a key.

Contact the manufacturer if you have other problems and it still will not move.

And never try to take on a project you are not comfortable with. It is always safer to let a technician handle it if you are not sure.

Read more: Why Is My Mobility Scooter Losing Power Uphill? How to Fix