Last Updated: September 22, 2021
Mobility scooters are battery-controlled movement gear.
Aside from that...
They are designed to support disabled and injured individuals.
These scooters assist people having varying mobility complications and issues, to help them claim a lively routine.
Like many other movement aids, these scooters also inherit a key start mechanism. Losing or breaking the key can lead to serious difficulties. Being important for daily use, these situations prod initiating scooters without a key.
Getting your hands on a new key isn’t always convenient. Thus it is best to be familiar with how to start a scooter without ignition.
Why You Might Need To Start Without A Key?
Different reasons might force you to start your scooter without using a key. If you have lost your key and can’t get a replacement soon, it is best to go for alternative options such as hotwiring the scooter.
In this case, you’ll have to order a replacement. The key mechanism may be complex, thus you should read the instructions manual for more guidance or have an expert take a look at the scooter. Until then it is better to use some other method to jerk your scooter.
What To Do When You’ve Lost Your Mobility Scooter Keys?
It is quite normal to lose or misplace your belongings. Misplacing your scooter keys can be rather problematic as the mobility scooters utterly require a key to fire up.
Thus, a broken or lost key will force you to get your scooter started manually, luckily, we’ll discuss how to bypass the ignition switch on the scooter.
If your scooter’s key is missing, follow some of the following steps primarily, before going for a manual ignition:
- Try your best to stay focused and not to panic, searching anxiously will only worsen the situation.
- Calmly sit down and try remembering everything thoroughly, it Is best to recall the last time you used the key.
- Start looking from nearby places, go through all the rooms and spaces cautiously.
- Concentrate more on the muddled spaces where things are hard to spot.
They will surely be able to help you; the company will make you a replacement key.
Sometimes it takes a long time for the company to make and supply a new key. If you don't use your scooter daily, it is best to wait for the replacement to be delivered.
But if things are troublesome, you’ll have to go for an alternate method to switch on your scooter.
How To Start Scooter Without Key?
Without any delay, here is our guide to answering the question on “how to bypass ignition switch on a scooter?”
It is recommended to hotwire your scooter if you can’t wait for the replacement key and are having trouble not being able to use your scooter.
Before doing so, make some important preparations. You would require some proper tools for safety:
- Rubber mallet
- Screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Rubber gloves
Once you have gathered all of these items, start by taking the panel off, this will disclosure the ignition switch. Now we have to bypass the ignition switch. Carefully read and follow the steps to understand how to start a scooter without ignition:
Locate The Wiring System
Look for the wiring system; it can easily be found under the control panel (the area under the speed meters and ignition.) It is mostly kept in its place with screws, by removing these screws, the panel will conveniently come off.
The wiring arrangement is usually made up of a set of three colored wires joined together.
Two of these are live so you have to be extra cautious. Identify the right wire, usually the red and black ones are the dangerous wires.
The live wires are differently colored in various models. It is best to read the manufacturer's manual before handling these wires. Inappropriate handling can be hazardous and cause serious harm.
Identify The Wiring Cap
After discovering the wiring arrangement of the scooter, pinpoint the wiring caps. These are present at the apices of the wires.
They are typically made up of plastic and are thus shockproof. The wiring caps are used to seal the wires for safety purposes.
Uncap The Wires
The next step is to take the caps off using insulated needle-nosed pliers. Pliers with rubber handles (rubber is a perfect insulator) are preferred to ensure your safety.
Tightly hold the insulated part of the wire and turn the cap to take it off. Once the cap is removed, three uninsulated wires will be disclosed.
Attach Live Wires To Ignition Socket
Take the two exposed wires and connect them to the ignition socket. It emulates the effect of placing the key in the keyhole and then twisting it.
One by one, place both of the uninsulated wires in the socket. You will hear a ticking sound or that of the engine whining.
The sound confirms that the chosen wire combination is accurate, thus you can move on to the next step.
If there isn’t any noise, try again with a different arrangement of wires, but be very careful.
Start The Scooter
The sound ticks and engine humming will start the ignition of your scooter.
It signals that electricity is now flowing through the ignition, simply just turn the wires in the keyhole until the scooter starts.
Voila, you have successfully hotwired your best heavy duty scooter.
How To Get A Replacement Key For Mobility Scooter?
While the aforementioned trick will work in most cases, getting a replacement key is by far the most practical solution. To order a new key, you’ll have to contact the scooter creator and pass on some important material/information to the company:
- Serial number of your scooter
- Any markings or numbers on the lock
- Proof of your ownership
- A small fee
The usual time for a replacement key to be delivered is around a week or so but it can be sooner too.
Some scooter companies don’t offer replacement keys, and if that is the case with yours, you can brush through some online services that will provide one.
This video will show you how to locate the serial number in your mobility scooter:
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers in regard:
Can you start a scooter without a key?
It is not the most recommended drill but yes, you can start a scooter without a key. It can be done by bypassing the ignition socket. The process is called hotwiring (you might have seen it in reference to cars in movies.)
By following all the steps mentioned in the guide above you can easily hotwire your scooter.
In short, the wires inside the control panel are uncapped and then joined to start the scooter.
What do I do if I lost my scooter key?
Losing your scooter key is a serious issue. But there is a solution:
- Do not panic, stay calm and carefully search for the key.
- Recall your past activities when you had it with you.
- Thoroughly examine all of the rooms and spaces.
- Ask your family members to help you out.
If you still don’t find It, order a replacement key; you can hotwire your scooter until the replacement arrives.
Conclusion
Mobility scooters are used daily as important movement aids. You can easily bypass the ignition socket if you have misplaced or broke the key. Now you know how to start a mobility scooter without a key.
You should also note that the whole process is possibly hazardous.
Each step should be executed with extreme caution. Before initiating the process it is best to thoroughly read the manufacturer guidebook to get a better idea of the wiring organization of your scooter.
Meticulously read and follow the steps mentioned above but do note that these steps are general, and may not specifically guide you through the process of an unusual model/design.
But it is best to have a spare key with you or order a replacement.