An overview of e-bike error codes from Bosch, Shimano, Mahle, TQ, Yamaha and others.

You switch on your e-bike and “Oh, an error message!” But what does this cryptic code on your e-bike’s display mean? And what can you do if your e-bike displays an error message? We’ve listed the error codes from the most well-known e-bike drive manufacturers for you in this article.

E-bike error code: What to do?

First of all, don’t panic. Not every error code indicates a serious problem with your e-bike. Quite the opposite: some error codes even prevent problems from occurring in the first place. Other error codes, in turn, point to a minor issue that can be fixed quickly. One thing is clear, however: if you’re unsure what to do, or if a fault can’t be resolved without working on your e-bike’s electrical system, then: hands off! E-bikes are highly complex electric vehicles and should only be repaired and disassembled by qualified personnel. Nevertheless, there are a few things you can check before heading to a specialist dealer:

In IT as well as with e-bikes, a restart can work wonders. So before you think about troubleshooting, simply restart your bike by switching it off and on again. If the error is resolved, observe whether it reappears. If it’s still displayed, then it’s time to start troubleshooting.

Back to square one: Restarting the e-bike

Some e-bike manufacturers have error codes that we have encountered frequently and which, based on experience, can be resolved quickly:

Specialized
On some Specialized e-bike models (e.g., the Specialized Turbo Vado ), the bike may not turn on if the battery cover is not properly locked. Therefore, check that the battery and battery cover are correctly seated.

Bosch
In our workshop, we’ve encountered an error message on some bikes with Bosch drive systems (e.g., the Trek Rail ) that triggered during data retrieval after extreme riding situations (jumps and/or drops, etc.). According to Bosch, this is not a cause for concern. Having the bike’s error memory cleared by a specialist dealer will resolve the issue.

Faulty speed sensor readings
Another common cause of error messages is a displaced, twisted, or dirty sensor magnet of the speed sensor. If it is incorrectly positioned or heavily soiled, it can no longer send signals to the speed sensor, resulting in an error message. Therefore, check whether the spoke magnet is in the correct position and properly aligned to pass the sensor. Note: On some e-bikes, the sensor is mounted on the brake disc; check here whether it is obscured by brake dust.

What does an error code mean?

Error codes are assigned individually by each manufacturer. They usually consist of various numbers, letters, and symbols. The error code often allows you to identify the source or component causing the fault. To help you pinpoint the cause of your problem, we’ve compiled a reference list for each of the major e-bike system manufacturers:

Bosch error codes

Specialized error codes

Shimano error codes

Mahle error codes

See TQ error codes

Yamaha error codes ▶

Coboc error codes

Troubleshooting via app

Some manufacturers offer compatible smartphone apps for their drive systems that allow you to analyze errors. You can find the respective app (if available) here:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *