Dapu error 16: Display lost communication with battery
The LCD has stopped receiving valid communication data from the battery for an extended period. The controller treats this as a safety condition and cuts motor assistance, so the bike rides without power and the walk-assist function is disabled until the link is restored.
| Drive system | Dapu controller (used by Pedego, Batavus, Koga and other European brands) |
| Severity | Dealer needed |
| Keep riding? | Do not keep riding |
| Typical cost | A replacement communication cable is around €20-50, a compatible LCD roughly €80-180, and a replacement battery pack €400-900, with dealer labour typically €40-80 on top. |
Likely causes
- Loose or corroded connector between the display harness and the battery
- Damaged or pinched communication cable along the frame
- Water ingress in the display connector or battery port
- Internal battery BMS communication fault
- Failed LCD display board
How to fix Dapu error 16
- Switch the system off and remove the battery if it is removable.
- Unplug and inspect the communication connectors at both ends; clean any corrosion and reseat firmly.
- Trace the cable run along the frame and check for chafing, kinks or crushed sections, especially near hinges or the headset.
- Refit the battery, switch the system on and see if the code clears.
- If the code returns, substitute a known-good communication cable.
- Replace the LCD if a new cable does not resolve it, then the battery, matching the official remedy.
- If the fault persists, hand the bike to a dealer for controller and BMS diagnosis.
Warranty: A genuine component failure of the cable, display or battery inside the typical two-year warranty period is normally covered as a manufacturing defect, while crash damage, water ingress beyond the rated IP level and normal wear are excluded.
Typical cost: A replacement communication cable is around €20-50, a compatible LCD roughly €80-180, and a replacement battery pack €400-900, with dealer labour typically €40-80 on top.
Frequently asked
Can I reset dapu error 16?
Switching the bike off, removing and reseating the battery, then powering back on may clear the code once, but it will return unless the loose cable, damaged harness, faulty LCD or faulty battery is repaired or replaced.
Is it safe to keep riding with this error?
No. Motor assistance and walk assist are shut off while the code is active, so continuing leaves you riding an unpowered heavy bike and risks being stranded away from a charger.
How much will the repair cost and is it covered by warranty?
Out of warranty expect about €20-50 for a cable, €80-180 for an LCD or €400-900 for a battery plus €40-80 labour; a genuine part failure inside the two-year warranty window is usually replaced at no cost, with labour billed separately.
Related Dapu codes
Official source: Dapu controller error chart, Pedego dealer service guide
Not an official Dapu document. Compiled from workshop experience and public service information; details can differ per system version and bike brand.