Engine Repair in the Meyra Optimus 2 Electric Wheelchair

In the 17th year of use and after covering 22,000 km, I noticed that my electric wheelchair slightly slowed down when driving on a flat surface. This phenomenon was most noticeable at a speed of 7 km/h. The wheelchair could slow down to as little as 5 km/h. After stopping the wheelchair, it would start moving again at 7 km/h and then slow down again. This concerning behavior didn't happen all the time but mainly at the beginning of a ride on a given day. Often, it was accompanied by a barely audible, dull sound.

Engine Failure in Meyra Optimus 2

Hoping that this troubling slowdown would disappear soon, I covered around 200 km like this. One day, when I sat in the wheelchair, it refused to move completely. Errors alternated on the display:

• E17 - Drive motor overload
• E25 - Motor idle

The Meyra Optimus 2 service manual suggested that these errors could be caused by a damaged motor, specifically worn carbon brushes.

Meyra Optimus 2 Engine Repair

Several repeated on-and-off cycles of the wheelchair made the errors disappear, and the wheelchair was able to move again. However, I treated this as a final warning and didn't plan to use the partially functional wheelchair any longer. I contacted FAZA, a reliable and proven service for electric wheelchairs. The description of the events left no doubt, and the wheelchair had to be sent to the workshop.

It turned out that an engine repair was necessary. One of the carbon brushes was completely worn out, causing all these problems. All the carbon brushes were replaced with new ones. Additionally, the seals (Simmerrings), which had caused almost all the oil to leak, needed replacement. Had this not been repaired in time, the gearbox in the engine could have been completely destroyed.

Oil Leakage in Meyra Optimus 2

I had known about the oil leaking from the engine for quite some time, as small objects occasionally stuck near the axle of the right front wheel. This area was greasy, and it was evident that oil was leaking from the engine. The stuck objects caused unpleasant noises, which could be easily removed by unscrewing the wheel and wiping the area around the wheel mount with a clean cloth. Sometimes, pressing the hand brake a few times while driving was sufficient to avoid unscrewing the wheel.

Rear Steering Mechanism in Meyra Optimus 2

After the wheelchair returned from service, its ride was smooth again, without unwanted behaviors. Additionally, the play in the rear steering mechanism was eliminated. This play sometimes made me have to point the joystick at 11 o'clock instead of 12 to go straight. This issue occurred rarely and lasted no longer than a few dozen meters. Sometimes, strong turning in one direction or another helped resolve it.

Is It Worth Repairing the Engine in Meyra Optimus 2?

Based on the opinions of new Optimus users and repair technicians, it can be concluded that the engines in the latest models are not as durable and reliable as those in the older models. Therefore, wheelchairs from the first decade of this century should be cherished and repaired as long as possible.
After removing the play and overhauling the engine, my Meyra Optimus 2 electric wheelchair runs like new. I hope that after the major repair, it will serve me well for many more years and cover thousands of kilometers.