The Mobility Wizard

25/04/2026

The Day the Scooter Refused to Move…
I hear it all the time:
“It won’t go… it’s dead.”
I turn the key…
Flash… flash… flash…
And I say:
“It’s not dead… it’s protecting itself.”
Why scooters won’t move when there’s a fault code
Modern scooters are designed to stop if something isn’t right.
Not to frustrate you…
But to prevent damage and keep you safe.
So instead of driving, they do this:
• Power on
• Flash a code
• Refuse to move
That’s the scooter saying:
“Fix the problem first.”
What those flashes are really doing
A flash code isn’t the exact fault.
It’s the system that has a problem.
And this is where people get caught out…
Different controllers use different codes.
Same fault… different meaning.
Common faults and how different controllers report them
Brake / freewheel fault
• S-Drive → 5 flashes
• Dynamic → 5 flashes
• Curtis → 5 flashes
Real world:
Freewheel slightly out
Brake sticking or overheating
Brake wiring or microswitch issue
This is one of the most common “won’t move” faults I see.
Motor fault
• S-Drive → 4 flashes
• Dynamic → 3 flashes
• Curtis → 4 flashes
Real world:
Worn brushes
Carbon contamination
Motor not braking properly, causing jerky stopping
Often mistaken for batteries.
Low battery voltage
• S-Drive → 1 flash
• Dynamic → 2 flashes
• Curtis → 2 flashes
Real world:
Flat batteries
Weak batteries under load
Bad connections
Not always the batteries themselves.
Throttle fault
• S-Drive → 6 or 7 flashes
• Dynamic → 7 flashes
• Curtis → 6 flashes
Real world:
Throttle not centred when turning key
Faulty wig-wag
Signal fault
Scooter won’t move as a safety feature.
Wiring / connection fault
• S-Drive → 3 flashes
• Dynamic → 3 flashes
• Curtis → Often shows as motor fault
Real world:
Broken wire inside tiller loom
Cuts out when turning
Intermittent faults
Very common and often misdiagnosed.
Overload / overheat
• S-Drive → 9 flashes
• Dynamic → 9 flashes
• Curtis → Often shows as controller fault
Real world:
Brake binding
Bearings tightening
Gearbox starting to fail
Motor pulling too much current
Heat is usually the result, not the cause.
Real job from this week
Customer said:
“It won’t move… must be batteries.”
Scooter flashing 5 times.
Quick check…
Freewheel lever not fully engaged.
Clicked it back in.
Scooter drove perfectly.
The lesson
If your scooter:
• Turns on
• Starts flashing
• Won’t move
It’s not broken beyond repair.
It’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do.
Flash codes point you in the right direction.
But they don’t tell the full story.
Don’t guess
Don’t rely on one chart online
And don’t throw parts at it
Find the cause first.
The Mobility Wizard
35+ years fixing the real fault
www.themobilitywizard.com⁠�
07900066814

Same-day service available Monday to Friday | Local home visits | Friendly and professional | Emergency calls at weekends from £80 only with a confirmation call. Call 07900 066814.

25/04/2026

HOW YOUR MOBILITY SCOOTER REALLY STOPS
And the faults I see all the time
I get asked this a lot, so here’s the simple version.
Your scooter doesn’t have brakes like a bike or car.
It uses the motor and an electromagnetic brake working together.
Let go of the lever and power is cut.
The motor slows you down smoothly.
Then the brake, which is bolted onto the end of the motor, locks on and stops you.
That’s why it won’t roll when it’s switched off.
When you go to move off, it works the other way round.
The brake releases first, then the motor takes over.
On a hill you may feel it roll very slightly forward or back for a split second before it moves.
That’s normal.
Where it gets interesting is when something isn’t quite right.
If the inside of the motor gets contaminated with carbon dust, dirt or moisture, you lose that smooth slowing effect.
Instead of easing to a stop, the scooter slows poorly and then the brake grabs.
That’s when you feel that sharp jolt at the end.
Another one that catches people out is the brake micro switch.
When that starts to fail, the scooter can become unpredictable.
It may not move, may cut in and out, or behave differently each time you try it.
Quite often it will also show a flash code on the control panel.
A BIG ONE THAT GETS OVERLOOKED
If the brake sticks or drags, it creates constant resistance.
What happens then:
The motor is working against the brake all the time
Heat builds up in the motor and brake
The scooter will struggle and may stop moving altogether
If left like this:
Motor brushes will burn out
Motor can be permanently damaged
Battery drain becomes excessive
This is why some people think they have “bad batteries” when in reality the scooter is being held back mechanically.
Other regular faults I come across:
Brake sticking on – click but no drive
Weak brake – slight rolling before it stops
Intermittent wiring – cuts out and comes back to life
Water ingress – unpredictable behaviour
Freewheel left engaged – no drive at all
Simple way to look at it:
A smooth stop means everything is working properly
A jolt, drag or odd behaviour means something needs attention
A lot of these faults get blamed on batteries or controllers, but quite often the problem is in the motor or brake assembly itself.
Of course there are always exemptions to this.
If your scooter feels like it’s struggling, stopping abruptly, or draining batteries quicker than it should, get it checked before it turns into a bigger and more expensive repair.
Steve
The Mobility Wizard
07900 066814
www.themobilitywizard.com⁠�
Your Mobility – My Priority

24/04/2026

Quite a few people have been asking me lately about mobility scooters for sale, and I do have a few available.
I’m also getting just as many people looking to sell, and as we all know, Facebook Marketplace can be a bit hit and miss with posts getting flagged or removed.
So I thought I’d open this thread up to help everyone out 👇
If you’re looking to buy or wanting to sell, feel free to post below.
✔️ Buyers – let us know what you’re after (size, type, budget etc.)
✔️ Sellers – add as much detail as you’re comfortable with (make, model, condition, price, location)
This way we can keep everything in one place and hopefully match people up a bit easier 👍
As always, if you need advice on anything mobility-related, just give me a shout.
🔵 The Mobility Wizard
“Your Mobility – My Priority”

22/04/2026

Quite a big job on today , but if passing near you , may be able to fit you in .

17/04/2026

A few of the ones up in Cardigan I got back up & running today , one a 20 year old breeze 4 the other a Tramper that was regularly abused on a farm by the owners grandson ( looks like it challenged a tractor to a demolition derby to be fair , saying that this is fixable, the tractor on the other hand was a right off!) Have a great weekend folks .

17/04/2026

Most people only see a mobility scooter.
I see something very different.
I see someone’s independence.
Their ability to get out the house…
To see family…
To go to the shops…
To have a bit of normal life.
And when that stops working…
It’s not just a breakdown.
It’s someone being stuck.
I’ve been doing this for over 35 years.
Not in an office… not behind a counter…
Out there, meeting people, hearing their stories, seeing what these machines really mean to them.
I’ve knocked on doors where people haven’t been out in weeks.
Met customers who were worried, frustrated… even upset.
Not because of the scooter itself…
But because of what it’s taken away from them.
That’s why I do things differently.
I’m not here to sell you something you don’t need.
I’m not here to guess and hope for the best.
👉 I’m here to fix the problem properly.
I’ve invested in professional testing equipment because I want answers, not assumptions.
I carry a fully equipped van because I know most people just want it sorted there and then.
And if it can be fixed —
I’ll fix it.
Because to you, it’s not just a machine.
It’s your freedom.
Your routine.
Your connection to the world outside your front door.
Over the years I’ve worked on thousands of scooters and power chairs, but what’s stayed with me isn’t the numbers…
It’s the people.
The relief when it’s working again.
The smile when they can get back out.
The “thank you” that genuinely means something.
This isn’t just a job to me.
It’s doing right by people who rely on something most others take for granted.
🔧 THE MOBILITY WIZARD
Your Mobility – My Priority
📞 07900 066814

16/04/2026

⚠️ Battery Problem… or Something More? ⚠️
Here’s one a lot of people get caught out by…
Your scooter starts losing range… batteries don’t last… so the first thought is:
👉 “Batteries are gone.”
But not always…
When a gearbox seal fails, the grease inside can turn to soup.
That means the gearbox is no longer properly lubricated.
Worse still… that “soup” can creep into the motor, where it mixes with carbon dust from the brushes and turns into a thick sludge 🤢
Now your motor is working harder than it should…
➡️ More strain
➡️ More current draw
➡️ Batteries draining faster
Eventually… battery failure.
So you fit new batteries…
…and the problem is still there 👀
⚠️ Other common causes of battery drain:
👉 Electromagnetic brake (solenoid brake) sticking
As you travel, heat builds up and the brake disc expands.
If it’s starting to stick, it gets worse the longer you drive…
➡️ More drag
➡️ More power used
➡️ Less range
👉 Worn or failing axle bearings
Especially common on smaller, boot-type scooters.
They create resistance you might not even notice…
but your batteries definitely will.
🔋 Average Battery Range Guide (when everything is healthy):
12ah – around 6–10 miles
18ah – around 10–15 miles
36ah – around 15–20 miles
50ah – around 20–25 miles
75ah – around 25–35 miles
(Depends on terrain, weight, tyres, temperature, and driving style)
💡 Lesson:
If your scooter is suddenly draining batteries quicker than normal, don’t just assume it’s the batteries.
👉 Always investigate the cause properly.
It could save you a lot of money—and a lot of headaches.
🧙‍♂️ Your Mobility – My Priority
* below is an example of gearbox seal failure i dealt with today *

15/04/2026

🚨 STOLEN – PLEASE SHARE 🚨

We’re really upset to report that one of our 2-seater Dino Karts has been stolen while out on hire with a customer.
This kart is very distinctive and not something you see every day – it’s a bright, fun, two-seater Dino Kart, designed for kids to ride together.

If you’ve seen it, been offered it for sale, or have any information at all, please get in touch with us immediately. Even the smallest detail could help 🙏
💬 Message us directly or call: 01278 751480
We trust our customers and hate having to post things like this, so we’d really appreciate your help in sharing this post far and wide. Let’s get it back where it belongs 💚

15/04/2026

TGA Breeze S4 – 2014 – Off-Road Setup – £1,200
Up for sale is this well looked after TGA Breeze S4, a solid and reliable machine built for comfort and performance.
This isn’t your average scooter – it’s been set up for proper outdoor use 👇
✔ 2014 model – excellent condition for its age
✔ Fitted with OFF-ROAD tyres – ideal for rough ground, tracks & grass
✔ 2 x large 110Ah batteries – serious range for long days out
✔ Smooth suspension – comfortable ride everywhere
✔ Fully working and driving as it should
✔ Charger included
Perfect for:
🎣 Fishing trips
🌲 Woodland trails
🏕 Campsites & fields
🛣 Everyday use with confidence
Nice touch with the custom “Keep Calm Go Fishing” decals – suits it perfectly 👍
This is a proper go-anywhere scooter, not a lightweight runabout.
💬 Selling on behalf of a client
💰 £1,650 – ( also accepting realistic offers ) sensible enquiries only
📍 Viewing recommended
🚚 Delivery possible after viewing

Your Mobility – My Priority
The Mobility Wizard

14/04/2026

One of the more unusual ones , every time auto fold button pressed , the wireless doorbell goes off !

14/04/2026

Thank you Jill..