Heybike Mars, Ranger, Cityscape, Cityrun, Tyson and more: error 23 or 24, motor jerks or won't pull

Your Heybike turns on, but when you twist the throttle or pedal the motor stutters, vibrates, makes a rough noise, or barely pulls, and the display shows error 23 or error 24. Both codes apply to the Cityscape, Mars, Mars 2.0, Ranger, Ranger S, Cityrun and Tyson, among other models. Error 23 is a motor phase loss (abnormal or no acceleration, with odd sounds or vibration) and 24 an abnormal hall sensor signal (abnormal or no acceleration) (Heybike error codes). Short answer: check the motor cable and its plug first. If those are fine, the next step is a new motor.

Most likely cause

A hub motor gets power through three thick phase wires and reports its position through thin hall sensor wires, all bundled in the motor cable that leaves the axle. The fix for both codes starts the same way: inspect the motor wire and its connection to the controller, and reconnect or replace any poor connection or damaged wire (Heybike error codes). Hub motor cables run near the axle, dropout and frame, where they get crushed, bent sharply or rubbed, and connectors can corrode or have pins pushed back (EM3ev hall guide). Signs of a hall problem are jerky starts, low speed stutter, buzzing, a motor that only runs once the wheel is already moving, and behavior that changes when the cable moves.

Other causes to rule out

• A loose or damaged motor plug wire, a common cause of a motor that doesn't respond, and loose or damaged motor wiring, a common cause of a wheel that makes strange noises (Heybike common problems).
• A damaged motor, the last suspect for both codes (Heybike error codes).
• A low or failing battery, a common cause of erratic acceleration (Heybike common problems).
• Don't replace hall sensors on symptoms alone, because an open wire, a short or a pushed back pin gives the same signs (EM3ev hall guide).

How to confirm

1. Write down which code shows, 23 or 24. It tells a shop whether to start with the phase or the hall side.
2. Charge the battery fully and retry, to rule out a weak battery.
3. Power off and set the key to OFF. Follow the motor cable from the rear axle to its plug. Look for flattened, kinked or rubbed spots, especially at the dropout and where the cable is zip tied.
4. Unplug the motor connector by its body, check for bent or pushed back pins, dirt and corrosion, line up the arrows and push it fully home (Heybike error codes). See inspect and clean connectors.
5. Power on and test on a stand or with the wheel lifted. If the code changes when you gently move the cable, the cable is the likely fault (EM3ev hall guide).

A hall voltage test means probing live pins with the wheel turning, so leave it to a shop.

Fix options

Reseat the motor connector (easy)

Free. Often enough after a wheel removal or a fall.

Replace the motor cable or hall sensors (pro, needs soldering and electrical experience)

If the cable is damaged near the axle or a hall sensor has failed, some shops can replace the cable or the sensors inside the motor. This means opening the motor and soldering, so it is pro work only, and worth it only if the motor is otherwise healthy.

Replace the motor (moderate to pro)

When the wiring checks out, replace the motor (Heybike error codes). The replacement must match your model, so contact Heybike support with your serial number. Fitting a new motor wheel means removing the rear wheel, moving the tire, cassette or freewheel and brake rotor, and reconnecting the motor plug. Our guide to fixing a flat on a rear hub motor wheel shows the wheel removal part.

Parts

• Motor cable and hall sensors
• Hub motor

When to get a pro

Go to a shop if the cable is cut or crushed, if the code returns after reseating, or if the motor smells hot. A shop can test the hall and phase circuits and tell you whether a cable, sensor or whole motor is needed. More help: Heybike troubleshooting, motor cuts out and hub motor e-bike troubleshooting.

Sources

• Heybike error codes, heybike.zendesk.com
• Heybike common problems, heybike.zendesk.com
• EM3ev hall guide, em3ev.com

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.