Photon: Motor resistance when pushing backward
Symptoms
You are experiencing high resistance when pushing your bike backward or struggle to push your bike backward at all. There may or may not be a mechanical noise and you may or may not be able to turn your bike on.
Reasons
- A controller mosfet has failed
- There is a mechanical failure
- Something's wrong with your bike's drivetrain
Checklist
- Remove your bike chain
- Turn the chainring (not the crank) backward to see if you still have a resistance
*If there is no resistance and no noise when turning the chainring, then inspect your bike's drivetrain instead
Skip to Solution No.4 if your bike's drivetrain is an issue.
Troubleshoot
- Put your bike's chain back on.
- Turn on your kit at the display.
*If you cannot turn on your kit at the display and there is an inconsistent resistance (i.e there may be more resistance when you try to roll your wheel back faster) when trying to roll your bike backward with no mechanical noise, then a mosfet inside the controller has failed. Continue to the Solution section below. - If you can turn on your kit, check if you have mechanical noise and high resistance or if you have little to no movement (like something is stuck) without mechanical noise. Either one is a mechanical issue.
- Open up the Photon's main assembly according to the video instructions below. Here, it is important to remove the controller and motor from the main assembly body.
📄 Replacements & Servicing - Once disassembled, turn the output gear clockwise and anti-clockwise by hand. If it can turn freely in both directions, then the second stage is still in good condition. If not, check the remaining troubleshooting steps and note that the second stage freewheel assembly needs to be replaced. We are continuing with the troubleshooting steps below just for additional measure.
- Open up the motor from the motor housing cover. If you see any debris, dust, or scratches against the inside of the cover, then the retaining ring on the motor has failed or come off. Inspect how bad the damage is and if the motor housing and motor need to be replaced but in most cases, a new retaining ring will be sufficient.
- Turn the motor core clockwise and anti-clockwise by hand. If you notice any noise or irregular resistance, then the rotor has failed.
Solution
If a replacement component is needed and your kit is still under warranty, be sure to reach out to CYC or your authorized reseller. You may be asked to provide your order number, receipt, or proof of purchase along with evidence of the issue to qualify for a warranty replacement.
IMPORTANT: Before attempting to replace the relevant parts at home, we strongly advise you to look at the "Replacements & Servicing" article linked below to see what the replacement entails. Some replacements may require additional tools in which case, it may be better to send your kit to CYC or an authorised reseller for repair. Your repair may be covered by warranty.
CYC will not warranty or be held liable for damages or issues as a result of at home repairs or using incorrect tools.
See the article below for details on servicing and replacements:
1. A controller mosfet has failed
Replace the X6P controller directly if you cannot turn on your kit and have inconsistent resistance when rolling your bike backward without mechanical noise.
2. The second stage has failed
Replace the Photon Main Body with first and second stage assembly.
3. The motor retaining ring has failed
Either replace just the motor retaining ring or if the damage is significant and it seems that debris has entered into the motor core, replace the motor housing and/ or the motor core accordingly. The rotor core only needs to be replaced if it can be concluded that the motor core cannot turn freely by hand or if it looks like the debris is significant.
4. The rotor has failed
Replace the motor core directly.
5. Something's not right with your bike's drivetrain
In this case, it's not a motor system issue. Inspect your bike's drivetrain or contact your local bike shop for assistance.