Dead levo

Banktramp

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2019
323
314
West Midlands
When you connect your battery to the bike does your battery show any lights?

If 1st and 3rd light and then cycle to 2nd and 4th. Your battery port is wet / dirty.

I have the same issue after a wash, I cleaned both terminals and left overnight but still a red flash when I press the on button.

I’ve checked the battery lights as you suggest and I have four solid lights. I’ve disconnected the TCU and taken in the house but it looks bone dry.
 

Jeffw

Member
Mar 2, 2019
112
61
North West
I've replied to a similar thread yesterday on my 2020 Levo Expert

During charge, the 4 LED's lit up
After charge, won't power on, just a red flash on the display
Thought it was the battery, but having had it to LBS, it's the battery harness cable which is shorting. If have the v2 of the cable. Being replaced under warranty by Spesh with the v3 cable, which is supposed to be better. They no longer ship the v2, according to the spesh rep
 

Banktramp

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2019
323
314
West Midlands
Quick update, I followed all the steps in this thread and also got the misses hair dryer and cleaned contacts and dried but still nothing.

Out of pure luck I held the power and mode button down for around 10 seconds and it’s come back to life. Unsure if that’s a reset process but it certainly worked for me.

So I held both buttons down on the TCU and the bike is working, took it out for a quick spin and all is A OK.
 

Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
2,653
3,888
Scotland
Quick update, I followed all the steps in this thread and also got the misses hair dryer and cleaned contacts and dried but still nothing.

Out of pure luck I held the power and mode button down for around 10 seconds and it’s come back to life. Unsure if that’s a reset process but it certainly worked for me.

So I held both buttons down on the TCU and the bike is working, took it out for a quick spin and all is A OK.
Strange creatures these ebikes
 

bushkila

Member
Mar 10, 2020
72
48
Europe
There you go: Thats what you did,....
Factory Reset the TCU Display
Before a new or used bike is sold, the new user should perform a factory reset of the TCU display, to reset the peak power and support mode settings.

To perform a factory reset:
A: Long-press (hold) the Mode button (1).
B: Press (2) and release (3) the Power button (continue pressing the Mode button). LEDs will light up (4).
C: Continue to long-press the Mode button for 10 seconds (5), until the LEDs turn off (6) and turn back on (7).
D: Release the Mode button (8). Factory reset is complete.


screen-shot-2018-09-20-at-09-20-18-png.5302
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,136
4,669
Weymouth
Quick update, I followed all the steps in this thread and also got the misses hair dryer and cleaned contacts and dried but still nothing.

Out of pure luck I held the power and mode button down for around 10 seconds and it’s come back to life. Unsure if that’s a reset process but it certainly worked for me.

So I held both buttons down on the TCU and the bike is working, took it out for a quick spin and all is A OK.
Yes you did a factory reset....your mode settings ade probably returned to factory default as well. I suspect following a short circuit, depending on the original cause, the system needs a reset. The specified factory reset procedure is to hold down the mode butyon and then press and release the power button. Keep the mode button pressed for a further 10 seconds and then release.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,136
4,669
Weymouth
Yes you did a factory reset....your mode settings ade probably returned to factory default as well. I suspect following a short circuit, depending on the original cause, the system needs a reset. The specified factory reset procedure is to hold down the mode butyon and then press and release the power button. Keep the mode button pressed for a further 10 seconds and then release.
Sorry...posts came at the same time!
 

Banktramp

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2019
323
314
West Midlands
It’s just strange how I’ve had the bike 10 months now and this is the first time it’s done this after a wash, hopefully it returns to normal and will be taking extra care going forward.
 

Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
2,653
3,888
Scotland
It’s just strange how I’ve had the bike 10 months now and this is the first time it’s done this after a wash, hopefully it returns to normal and will be taking extra care going forward.
I got that a few times took Tcu and also battery cable in overnight put in beside boiler all ok in morning. Last time putting cable in noticed crack in motor side connection so got new cable been ok since . I take a bit more care washing now though it's not easy when it's covered in mud
 

Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
2,653
3,888
Scotland
I’m gonna bring the whole damm bike in overnight ??‍♂️, she won’t be happy but she ain’t got no say!!!
Did that once for a few hours she was out it worked as well. Frustrating I had to wash it a lot at first very wet trails been unbelievably dry for a month during lockdown so only washed twice I think. I'm on a boat for 6 weeks so missing the bike
 

Banktramp

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2019
323
314
West Midlands
How would you go about getting this replaced under warranty? I brought it ex demo from Evans around 10 months ago? its a 2019 levo who do I contact?

Thanks
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,136
4,669
Weymouth
How would you go about getting this replaced under warranty? I brought it ex demo from Evans around 10 months ago? its a 2019 levo who do I contact?

Thanks
If you are talking about the power cable I would remove the non drive side motor cover and remove the power cable. The normal problem with old cable is that motor end plug cracks and that causes a short if any water gets in there or in worse scenarios the wires can break or develop a high resistance break. Assuming there is a crack photo it. Then contact any Specialised dealer or go to Spesh direct and request the v3 replacement using your photo as evidence. Also photo the serial number of your bike to prove ownership and that it is still under warranty.
 

Banktramp

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2019
323
314
West Midlands
If you are talking about the power cable I would remove the non drive side motor cover and remove the power cable. The normal problem with old cable is that motor end plug cracks and that causes a short if any water gets in there or in worse scenarios the wires can break or develop a high resistance break. Assuming there is a crack photo it. Then contact any Specialised dealer or go to Spesh direct and request the v3 replacement using your photo as evidence. Also photo the serial number of your bike to prove ownership and that it is still under warranty.

I think the issue may be the TCU but I will have a look at the power cable now.

Thanks
 

bushkila

Member
Mar 10, 2020
72
48
Europe
Take out your TCU ,remove the plugs and lay it on the radiator over night.
Usually the Water goes into the USB Plug,..even with the rubber Plug closed.
I taped the whole damn thing,..since then I had no Errors from Washing or heavy Rain.
 

Banktramp

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2019
323
314
West Midlands
Take out your TCU ,remove the plugs and lay it on the radiator over night.
Usually the Water goes into the USB Plug,..even with the rubber Plug closed.
I taped the whole damn thing,..since then I had no Errors from Washing or heavy Rain.

That sounds like a good idea, I will tape it up.
 

Banktramp

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2019
323
314
West Midlands
So again sorry for jumping on this thread.

So I’ve had the TCU and battery out all day on my office window ledge in the sun, I’ve taken out the power lead and inspected for breaks but it appeared in good condition. I’ve had the bike in the dinning room for the past hour (she’s not happy lol) I’ve cleaned the terminals again with a cotton bud and put everything back in and it’s working again.

I plan to leave but the radiator overnight and then check in the morning and tape up the USB as Bushkila suggested.

The saga continues
C9BF58C1-5FF6-418D-8CE1-05EEA9FA3FE8.jpeg
 

bushkila

Member
Mar 10, 2020
72
48
Europe
Tape everything up, not only the USB Port, go all the way around. It has to be really tied.
Yep, you have to remove that tape for an Firmware Update,....but its worth the effort, it works.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,136
4,669
Weymouth
Accepting that manufacturers of E bikes have not mastered how to keep the electrics weatherproof, rather than focus on a single issue why not address the problem comprehensively? I have had my Levo Comp for a year and ridden in all weathers and throughout the winter. I have had zero electrical problems but then I have done DIY fixes on the potential weak points of the bike. Blocked the hole that exists between the top tube and steerer, put a gasket between the TCU and frame, taped the TCU and its connectors with amalgamating tape, plugged the holes where cables are fed through the stress bar behind the shock with grease, changed the power cable for the latest model, used grease to further waterproof all connections on the motor and treated all O rings with silicon Lube. The same on the motor to battery connection. Used additional motofoam to fill the cavity between motor and its covers. Made a neoprene cover to fit over the battery connection secured with HD Velcro. No pressure washer or hose for washing, just a bucket and sponge.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,136
4,669
Weymouth
View attachment 30964
Looks dry, can’t see any cracks but it does have a rubber cover around it.
Is there a good waterproof seal between the cable cover and the motor end cap? It is only glued in and looks at an angle in the photo suggesting not. ps the O ring on the battery connection is bone dry and probably not achieving a lot. I put silicone lube on it and then grease on the chamfered face behind it.
 

Rick Wilson

New Member
May 26, 2020
1
0
California
I have been having similar problems each time I wash my 2019 Turbo Levo Comp Carbon. I have washed it about once a month for the past 3 months, and each time it won't turn on afterwards. I press the on button and get a quick beep, but no LEDs turn on. The first two times I took it in to my LBS and they updated the firmware then said it was working - didn't really find anything wrong. The 3rd time (two days ago), I just waited, and later in the day it started to work again. earlier, when it wouldn't turn on, I opened the charging port and it there were a couple of streaks of water on the plastic, but not on the contacts.

Each time I used a hose to get most of the mud off, but this third time I specifically didn't use the hose on the top (where the TCU is). I mainly used the hose on the underside of the down tube, with a fairly gentle spray.

I didn't realize it was easy to remove the TCU, so when it happens again I'll check there. It did look like there's no sealer between the frame and the TCU, which seems a little iffy.

There was a comment above about "The problem is rubber USB/battery compartment cover that has not been refitted properly." Is there something I can do to check and see if this is correct on my bike or not?

Basically I'm wondering if this is a problem with water getting in at the TCU, or water entering by the charging port, or water entering somewhere else, or condensation (as was also mentioned above). I don't think it's likely condensation, because I have been washing the bike pre-ride, not post-ride, and it's garaged in between.

I can switch to waterless washing, which I may have to do, but I feel like the bike is too sensitive to water right now, and I'd rather fix that. I am riding through creek crossings sometimes, and I don't want that to shut me down on the trail (hasn't so far).
 

Jeffw

Member
Mar 2, 2019
112
61
North West
Alas the 2020 Levo Expert is no more
Over the last 3 weeks, intermittent power. Battery harness cable replaced with the version 3 cable. Powers on, rides, wash gently. Afterwards no power. Remove the Rosenberg connect and replace and the TCU powers on itself :). Back to the LBS, Replace battery. No change, Test cable. Fine. Replaced TCU and the auto power on when the Rosenberg connects stops happening and powers on as expected

Or it did in the Bike store

When i got it home....no power, Remove cable from battery and reconnect - it automatically powers the bike on again.

A rel shame because when this bike is out on the trail, it rocks. But i simply don't trust and not prepared to travel to trail centres to find it wont power on.

So Spesh and the Bike Store (who have both offered first class service throughout) have agreed to replace the bike. I've lost confidence in
e-bikes following a disastrous Kenevo previously, so back to hard pedalling on an Enduro Expert. That way when (if) i get to Les Arcs this year i'll have a bike i can trust

A real shame as i love the bike - when it has power :)
 

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