• Welcome to the Zero Electric Motorcycles Forum. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

Charging issues

gitarman2

New member
Joined
Oct 12, 2026
Messages
2
Location
Louisville
Bike
2017 Zero FXS
I have a 2016 Zero FXS with the modular dual battery modules. While out on a ride I laid it down on a turn going about 20mph. After a quick pop to fix the handlebars, I got back on and rode home. When I got home I put it on the charge and it seemed to be charging fine. The other day I went to go for a ride and noticed it was only charged to 74% or so, but it was plugged it. I verified I had power at the outlet, but the bike wasn’t charging. Just to be sure I tested the cable and it’s fine. I then decided to swap the positions of the batteries and this is where things got weird. My battery percent on the dash dropped down to like 40%. I then swapped them back, still at 40%. I tried to reset the BMS on each battery, no luck. I tried the batteries 1 at a time with the cap on position 2, no change. I removed the rubber side cover under the batteries to expose the quick charge port, and that isn’t doing anything either. Checked all the fuses I could find and nothing is blown. At this point the bike would still run, so I took it for a trip around the block thinking maybe it would “reset” something, but still wouldn’t charge. It’s like the bike doesn’t know it’s plugged in to even start the charge. So I removed the batteries again and put a little dielectric grease on the terminals and replaced. At this point the whole lcd screen started to flash and the bike will no longer run. It flashed like that for a few days so I’m pretty confident at this point both the batteries are completely dead. I’m wondering is there a way to charge these batteries using a battery tender or trickle charger so I can continue to troubleshoot. Any advice or tips are welcome because the next step if I can’t figure it out is haul it to the closest dealer which is a couple hours away. Thanks.
 
I have a 2016 Zero FXS with the modular dual battery modules. While out on a ride I laid it down on a turn going about 20mph. After a quick pop to fix the handlebars, I got back on and rode home. When I got home I put it on the charge and it seemed to be charging fine. The other day I went to go for a ride and noticed it was only charged to 74% or so, but it was plugged it. I verified I had power at the outlet, but the bike wasn’t charging. Just to be sure I tested the cable and it’s fine. I then decided to swap the positions of the batteries and this is where things got weird. My battery percent on the dash dropped down to like 40%. I then swapped them back, still at 40%. I tried to reset the BMS on each battery, no luck. I tried the batteries 1 at a time with the cap on position 2, no change. I removed the rubber side cover under the batteries to expose the quick charge port, and that isn’t doing anything either. Checked all the fuses I could find and nothing is blown. At this point the bike would still run, so I took it for a trip around the block thinking maybe it would “reset” something, but still wouldn’t charge. It’s like the bike doesn’t know it’s plugged in to even start the charge. So I removed the batteries again and put a little dielectric grease on the terminals and replaced. At this point the whole lcd screen started to flash and the bike will no longer run. It flashed like that for a few days so I’m pretty confident at this point both the batteries are completely dead. I’m wondering is there a way to charge these batteries using a battery tender or trickle charger so I can continue to troubleshoot. Any advice or tips are welcome because the next step if I can’t figure it out is haul it to the closest dealer which is a couple hours away. Thanks.
It sounds like your on-board charger crapped out. IOW, low charge voltage and current. Can you use an external charger?
 
That’s kinda what I’m wondering. I have external chargers but don’t know if they would work for these types of batteries. Would it even try to charge if there isn’t anything going into the comm ports on the batteries? Guess I can try it tomorrow and see. Just don’t wanna ruin the batteries if they aren’t the problem
 
Back
Top