Aventon Level.2, Pace, Sinch and Aventure: error 30, display and controller not communicating

The display on your Aventon powers up and shows 30, and the motor won't help, or assist drops in and out with the code coming back. On the Level.2, Pace 350 and Pace 500, Sinch and Aventure, Aventon's manuals list 30 as a communication fault (Level.2 manual, Pace 350 and 500 manual, Sinch manual, Aventure manual). Aventon's help center files it as E30, controller communication error, among its hub drive codes (Aventon help center, related articles). Short answer: the display and the controller aren't talking. Start with the display plug and the main wiring harness, which are the cheapest things to fix.

Most likely cause

Electric Kicks, an e-bike retailer that supports Aventon bikes, describes E30 as the controller not communicating correctly with the display. Its list of causes is a poor connection between controller and display, a damaged display harness, a worn cable or broken connector, an internal open circuit, or a damaged display or controller (Electric Kicks E30). The manuals' own instruction for any code is to stop riding and contact Aventon, so treat the checks below as a way to give Aventon useful information, not a replacement for support (Level.2 manual).

Other causes to rule out

• Faulty connections in general. Aventon's troubleshooting tables list faulty connections and a battery not fully seated as reasons the bike doesn't work (Sinch manual).
• Water. Electric Kicks asks whether the code started after water exposure, and says to contact support if the display or controller got wet (Electric Kicks E30). See e-bike got wet.
• A recent crash, transport damage or third party repair that pinched or pulled the harness (Electric Kicks E30).

How to confirm

1. Turn the bike off and remove the battery. Don't work on wiring while the bike is on or charging (Electric Kicks E30).
2. Reseat the battery firmly in its tray, since a battery not fully seated is one of Aventon's listed causes (Level.2 manual).
3. Find the display cable where it leaves the display and follow it down the handlebar. Unplug the connectors you can reach without tools, check for bent pins, dirt or moisture, and reconnect firmly without forcing them (Electric Kicks E30). See inspect and clean connectors.
4. Look for cuts, worn insulation or pinched spots.
5. Power on. If 30 clears, keep an eye on it. If it stays, take a photo of the code, a short video of start up and photos of the connectors, and contact Aventon (Electric Kicks E30).

Fix options

Reseat the display plug and battery (easy)

Free, and the first step Electric Kicks gives.

Replace the display (moderate, through Aventon)

If the display is cracked or was soaked, Electric Kicks says to stop riding and contact support (Electric Kicks E30). Get the right display for your model from Aventon.

Replace the wiring harness or controller (pro or Aventon)

Harness and controller damage are on Electric Kicks' list of causes (Electric Kicks E30). Have Aventon or a shop diagnose and replace them.

Parts

• Display (through Aventon)
• Main wiring harness (through Aventon)
• Controller (through Aventon)

Videos

When to get a pro

• Any burn marks, melted insulation or a burnt smell. Stop using the bike.
• A code that stays after reseating the plugs.
• Harness or controller work. See display blank or flickering, aventon troubleshooting and when to call a pro.

Sources

• Level.2 manual, cdn.shopify.com
• Pace 350 and 500 manual, cdn.shopify.com
• Sinch manual, cdn.shopify.com
• Aventure manual, cdn.shopify.com
• Aventon help center, related articles, rideaventon.zendesk.com
• Electric Kicks E30, electrickicks.gorgias.help
• Aventon Controls Walk Through. Pace 500.3, Aventure 2, Soltera 2, Sinch 2, Abound., youtube.com
• Error 30: Communication Error, Ride1UP, youtube.com

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.