VanMoof S3 Bell Button Replacement

Written By: Prokrastinator

Comments: 6

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes

Introduction

This is the second time one of the buttons stopped working correctly, caused by wetness.

The first time it was the boost button, following with an error 41, I took a trip to Amsterdam to get it fixed fast. They shipped my bike back a week later.

This time it hit the bell button, it got wet and stuck.

First I tried to fix it with compressed air and ethanol. It worked for a while, but then it started to double tap every time it got pushed.

So I could not unlock the bike without a phone.

This time I wanted to try to fix it myself.

I called for support, and they sent me a replacement cable, telling that it will be an easy task.

But they have not sent a manual, and I could not find any tutorials online. So I just tried it myself.

Here is the result.

I hope this helps!

Tools

Step 1

In my case the button was glued additionally. Cut around it to make it loose.
Use the 2mm hex screwdriver and remove the tiny screw on the side of the bell housing.
Use the pliers to unscrew the button. Screw to the left.
You cant break what is already broken. It should come off easily, so keep cool. Although, in my case, the button top broke off.
Don't forget to turn off the bike!

Wie schaltet man das Fahrrad aus wenn die Taste kaputt ist? Das Fahrrad schaltet sich bei mir die ganze Zeit an und aus, zwischendurch klingelt es. Ich kann nicht zwei Wochen warten bis die Werkstatt Zeit hat!!!

Kjell Morgenstern -

Das geht am Rahmen der Unterseite von der Mittelstange. Da wo der Lautsprecher sitzt.

Prokrastinator -

Step 2

The 5mm screw is located below the button. You need to loose it. (Loose but do not loose.)
If you unscrew both. You can try to blow compressed air through the holes. This can already solve the problem.
This screw holds the break/button part on the wheel. Later you will need to pull it off. As you can see the cable goes through the rubber grips.

Step 3

Use the wrench and the cloth to remove the handle grips. The cable goes through it - then through the handlebar.
At his point you could just solder a new button to the old cable and be done.
If you don't want to wait for replacement part from VanMoof - these buttons on Amazon have the exact dimensions and are waterproof,

Step 4

Get rid of the old button. When you cut it off, the bike can turn on. So: Turn it off.
Clean the handlebar of the goo. In my case it was wet inside.

Step 5

Push the the whole break/bell part over the handle. And thread the new cable through the hole, as you can see in the picture.
Tie the old cable and the end of the new one together.

Step 6

Unscrew the handlebar with the 5mm hex wrench.
Remove the rubber cap located underside the handlebar. Remember where you put it.
In my case the bell button was the unmarked cable. Start to pull it to get the new one through. Good luck!

Step 7

If you are unlucky and loose the cable inside. Try to fix it to a wire.
You can also try to use the wire, to block the path through that hole in the wheel, and push just the cable. It should than bend and appear in the hole.
Use the hole and the tweezers to get the cable halfway through.
Connect the cables. And try the bell.

Step 8

Put everything back together. Use some proper electrical tape to get the cable in place.
Before you put the tiny 2mm hex screw should, check if hits the flat part of the side of the button.
I removed the old glue with the tweezers and applied some fresh hot glue.

Step 9

That was not so hard at all. It took me 40 minutes. But to for the future i come prepared. I designed this protection caps for the buttons. You can get them 3d printed on my ebay.
Link to Ebay NO if will not upload this to Thingiverse.