In need of other people’s opinion plz

Jul 30, 2022
46
12
Levo2022
I am in need of some advice please…
I try cut a long story short!
My specialised levo 2022 had to go back to my lbs at the end of summer as it had a software update this is where I brought the bike from, All was good I collected my bike the very next day.
I rode my bike through out the end of summer autumn and a few rides in the winter, ie I try not to ride in slop and wet conditions always…
With Christmas just a few weeks away and shorter days i new I would not be riding over the festive period so I gave my bike a good clean with a bucket of water sponges and few different brushes and dried the bike off treated the frame lubed my chain and took the battery out and stored the bike in the garage….
This weekend I new I was riding Sunday ie today, I charged my battery and prepped my bike ready for today, I powered the bike and the tcu failed to turn on, I checked the power cable was pushed in and the connector was all clean but nothing.
I decided to take the tcu out and as I lifted it out from the frame a tea spoon of water was coming out of the port of the tcu and closer inspection the rubber grommet that should of been pushed into the port was just dangling around…
Straight away I disconnected the wires on the tcu and put the tcu on the radiator over night and following day I put the tcu in a bag of rice and sealed the bag.
I phoned my lbs today and told them about my problem and it’s booked in for next week.
The guy I spoke to is a
Sales person I did say will this work be covered under warranty as I think the tcu is broken and he replied saying no it’s user error as there is water in the electronics.
I was speechless. I said to him
That the mechanic who updated the firmware failed to refit the rubber grommet on the port of the tcu and no matter what water would have ended up getting inside the tcu and would have damaged it in time!
I even said it like you coming into my shop saying you have a flat tyre and I repaired it and you drive away but then the wheel falls off and my reply to you is user error!!
He had no words to say but just bring it in next week so we can investigate the problem ourselves…
Few hours after the phone call I took the tcu out of the rice made sure the rubber grommet was pushed into the port of the tcu and refitted it and now it seems to be working like it should for the 5 minutes I had spare just riding around my garden and going through the modes….
Is this tcu dried out? I should imagine so, is the tcu fixed? I am unsure as it’s not been properly tested for a Long period of time!!!
When I think about it water has been sitting in the electrics of the tcu for 8 weeks now…
Where do I stand in this mess? I am
Unsure…
 
Jul 30, 2022
46
12
Levo2022
Yiu seem to have fixed it now and you are good to go. Valuable lessons learned: 1) Water is dangerous to electric bikes and... 2) Don't trust your LBS* on the important stuff, not even on bolt tightness.

Note* Well, not until they have earned your trust.
Your quotes is so true and Tbh I have heard a few riders complain about how inadequate my lbs is, funny thing is I brought my bike at my local thinking they will look after there customers better…
Indeed a lesson learned.
 

Bummers

Well-known member
Mar 12, 2022
584
539
UK
*bought 😝

I'd get them to check the TCU out, might be working now but has that water caused corrosion on it leading it to fail early.
 
Jul 30, 2022
46
12
Levo2022
*bought 😝

I'd get them to check the TCU out, might be working now but has that water caused corrosion on it leading it to fail early.
I actually checked to see if tcu was working later Sunday evening and nothing, no lights bleeping nothing. Over 8 weeks water been sitting in there for so a new tcu is needed
 
Jul 30, 2022
46
12
Levo2022
I just hope my lbs puts it down to warranty as it was them that updated the bike and forgot to put rubber grommet back into the firmware port
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,628
5,104
Weymouth
Water does not damage PCBs, it can be dried out and be fine assuming the water has not been in there too long, and assuming the TCU/device was not powered up whilst flooded.............It is the deposits in the water ( salt, calcium etc) that cause the damage. If the water has been in the TCU for several weeks those deposits will have caused permanent damage so it does need replacing.
 

beanzz

Member
Feb 7, 2023
331
276
United Kingdom
Also fyi to anyone on this thread, rice is NOT a good way to dry your electronics, a better way is to either buy some packets of silica powder or just save them from whereever you find them
 
Jul 30, 2022
46
12
Levo2022
Water does not damage PCBs, it can be dried out and be fine assuming the water has not been in there too long, and assuming the TCU/device was not powered up whilst flooded.............It is the deposits in the water ( salt, calcium etc) that cause the damage. If the water has been in the TCU for several weeks those deposits will have caused permanent damage so it does need replacing.
The tcu was turning on but kept changing modes Sunday morning, late afternoon it would not turn on period, today it turned on but with a warning saying my battery in the tcu is low…
I imagine water being inside the tcu for 8 weeks has caused some damage and it will never work like it should and a replacement is needed…
 

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
9,096
9,585
Lincolnshire, UK
Ref water damage to electrical components:

When I was a wage slave, many years ago, I was in discussion with our company's risk assessment consultant. The topic was fire suppression, specifically in the computer room of a large automated warehouse. I ventured the opinion that if water sprinklers went off wouldn't the water damage the computers, monitors and so forth and wouldn't some sort of gaseous fire suppression be better? He accepted that water on live circuitry was not a good combo, but dismissed the idea that water and electrical components was necessarily a bad thing.
He told me about one of his other clients. Their business was buying fire and smoke damaged items, cleaning them up and reselling. The last time he was there he saw a large batch of smoke damaged computer equipment, including the monitors, all immersed in a large bath of warm soapy water. They were then rinsed in clean water, given a wipe down, and left in a warm room with fans blowing to assist the drying process.

He was surprised at how successful this cleaning process appeared to be.

This post reminded me that in the days when TVs were large items of furniture, my wife insisted on having a pot plant on top of the TV (yes, I know....). One day she watered it while I was watching the screen. I saw the water overflow the saucer the pot was sat on and drip down the air vents (it was a long time ago) on the back of the TV. I heard hissing and sparking noises and the picture started to jazz. Because it was so long ago, I was able to leap into action. In a few heartbeats I switched off the TV, removed the pot plant and pulled out the plug. I used my wife's hairdryer to dry out the back of the set and the TV was as good as new within 30 mins.
 

Downhillr

Active member
Jul 2, 2021
304
159
SF Bay, California
Ref water damage to electrical components:

When I was a wage slave, many years ago, I was in discussion with our company's risk assessment consultant. The topic was fire suppression, specifically in the computer room of a large automated warehouse. I ventured the opinion that if water sprinklers went off wouldn't the water damage the computers, monitors and so forth and wouldn't some sort of gaseous fire suppression be better? He accepted that water on live circuitry was not a good combo, but dismissed the idea that water and electrical components was necessarily a bad thing.
He told me about one of his other clients. Their business was buying fire and smoke damaged items, cleaning them up and reselling. The last time he was there he saw a large batch of smoke damaged computer equipment, including the monitors, all immersed in a large bath of warm soapy water. They were then rinsed in clean water, given a wipe down, and left in a warm room with fans blowing to assist the drying process.

He was surprised at how successful this cleaning process appeared to be.

This post reminded me that in the days when TVs were large items of furniture, my wife insisted on having a pot plant on top of the TV (yes, I know....). One day she watered it while I was watching the screen. I saw the water overflow the saucer the pot was sat on and drip down the air vents (it was a long time ago) on the back of the TV. I heard hissing and sparking noises and the picture started to jazz. Because it was so long ago, I was able to leap into action. In a few heartbeats I switched off the TV, removed the pot plant and pulled out the plug. I used my wife's hairdryer to dry out the back of the set and the TV was as good as new within 30 mins.
Lol, I’m guessing that plant still didn’t get moved?!
 

johnf0246

Active member
Jan 22, 2021
139
71
Sedona, Arizona
I am in need of some advice please…
I try cut a long story short!
My specialised levo 2022 had to go back to my lbs at the end of summer as it had a software update this is where I brought the bike from, All was good I collected my bike the very next day.
I rode my bike through out the end of summer autumn and a few rides in the winter, ie I try not to ride in slop and wet conditions always…
With Christmas just a few weeks away and shorter days i new I would not be riding over the festive period so I gave my bike a good clean with a bucket of water sponges and few different brushes and dried the bike off treated the frame lubed my chain and took the battery out and stored the bike in the garage….
This weekend I new I was riding Sunday ie today, I charged my battery and prepped my bike ready for today, I powered the bike and the tcu failed to turn on, I checked the power cable was pushed in and the connector was all clean but nothing.
I decided to take the tcu out and as I lifted it out from the frame a tea spoon of water was coming out of the port of the tcu and closer inspection the rubber grommet that should of been pushed into the port was just dangling around…
Straight away I disconnected the wires on the tcu and put the tcu on the radiator over night and following day I put the tcu in a bag of rice and sealed the bag.
I phoned my lbs today and told them about my problem and it’s booked in for next week.
The guy I spoke to is a
Sales person I did say will this work be covered under warranty as I think the tcu is broken and he replied saying no it’s user error as there is water in the electronics.
I was speechless. I said to him
That the mechanic who updated the firmware failed to refit the rubber grommet on the port of the tcu and no matter what water would have ended up getting inside the tcu and would have damaged it in time!
I even said it like you coming into my shop saying you have a flat tyre and I repaired it and you drive away but then the wheel falls off and my reply to you is user error!!
He had no words to say but just bring it in next week so we can investigate the problem ourselves…
Few hours after the phone call I took the tcu out of the rice made sure the rubber grommet was pushed into the port of the tcu and refitted it and now it seems to be working like it should for the 5 minutes I had spare just riding around my garden and going through the modes….
I am in need of some advice please…
I try cut a long story short!
My specialised levo 2022 had to go back to my lbs at the end of summer as it had a software update this is where I brought the bike from, All was good I collected my bike the very next day.
I rode my bike through out the end of summer autumn and a few rides in the winter, ie I try not to ride in slop and wet conditions always…
With Christmas just a few weeks away and shorter days i new I would not be riding over the festive period so I gave my bike a good clean with a bucket of water sponges and few different brushes and dried the bike off treated the frame lubed my chain and took the battery out and stored the bike in the garage….
This weekend I new I was riding Sunday ie today, I charged my battery and prepped my bike ready for today, I powered the bike and the tcu failed to turn on, I checked the power cable was pushed in and the connector was all clean but nothing.
I decided to take the tcu out and as I lifted it out from the frame a tea spoon of water was coming out of the port of the tcu and closer inspection the rubber grommet that should of been pushed into the port was just dangling around…
Straight away I disconnected the wires on the tcu and put the tcu on the radiator over night and following day I put the tcu in a bag of rice and sealed the bag.
I phoned my lbs today and told them about my problem and it’s booked in for next week.
The guy I spoke to is a
Sales person I did say will this work be covered under warranty as I think the tcu is broken and he replied saying no it’s user error as there is water in the electronics.
I was speechless. I said to him
That the mechanic who updated the firmware failed to refit the rubber grommet on the port of the tcu and no matter what water would have ended up getting inside the tcu and would have damaged it in time!
I even said it like you coming into my shop saying you have a flat tyre and I repaired it and you drive away but then the wheel falls off and my reply to you is user error!!
He had no words to say but just bring it in next week so we can investigate the problem ourselves…
Few hours after the phone call I took the tcu out of the rice made sure the rubber grommet was pushed into the port of the tcu and refitted it and now it seems to be working like it should for the 5 minutes I had spare just riding around my garden and going through the modes….
Is this tcu dried out? I should imagine so, is the tcu fixed? I am unsure as it’s not been properly tested for a Long period of time!!!
When I think about it water has been sitting in the electrics of the tcu for 8 weeks now…
Where do I stand in this mess? I am
Unsure…

Is this tcu dried out? I should imagine so, is the tcu fixed? I am unsure as it’s not been properly tested for a Long period of time!!!
When I think about it water has been sitting in the electrics of the tcu for 8 weeks now…
Where do I stand in this mess? I am
Unsure…
Pedal:

If you can take the bike to another dealer and play dumb that should work. Let us know how this TRAGIC PLAY turns out.
 

Jul 30, 2022
46
12
Levo2022
Took my bike to the shop and it was ready to collect the very next day, they tested the tcu and they said it was working fine but they replaced the battery and updated the firmware again, They wanted to charge me for this even thou the bike is 6 months old and it is not my fault they left the rubber bung off when I had a recall a few months back on another firmware update….
They went upstairs in the shop to bring my bike down, I waited a good 20 minutes and when they brought it down they said they had to replace the tcu quickly as my one felt very very spongy??
Any way he was doing a warranty claim at the till and I pressed the tcu to make sure it all worked and it came up with a error, they said leave bike with us as it might need a firmware update as it’s a brand new tcu. The next day I got a call to collect the bike as all this work is under warranty I do not have to pay for nothing….
They did say all this work comes with a warning? As this new firmware update could bring up a error as there is reports that after this update and riding some riders are getting errors, they told me specialised are working on a new patch for the firmware update and if I get any problems I just got to take it back to the shop….
I used the bike for the 1st time today at my local bike park, went through all the modes and gave it a good test and all
Seems ok.
All this aggro all because lbs did not refit the rubber bung after doing a update lol…
I did say maybe it’s a good idea for me to go over any work that’s carried out by them and the snotty sales guy said if I tamper with the bike after I could void warranty…
I suppose there are many bike shops like this all over the country and it’s pot luck wether you are lucky enough to have a gd lbs where you live..
 
Feb 6, 2023
152
55
Uk
Took my bike to the shop and it was ready to collect the very next day, they tested the tcu and they said it was working fine but they replaced the battery and updated the firmware again, They wanted to charge me for this even thou the bike is 6 months old and it is not my fault they left the rubber bung off when I had a recall a few months back on another firmware update….
They went upstairs in the shop to bring my bike down, I waited a good 20 minutes and when they brought it down they said they had to replace the tcu quickly as my one felt very very spongy??
Any way he was doing a warranty claim at the till and I pressed the tcu to make sure it all worked and it came up with a error, they said leave bike with us as it might need a firmware update as it’s a brand new tcu. The next day I got a call to collect the bike as all this work is under warranty I do not have to pay for nothing….
They did say all this work comes with a warning? As this new firmware update could bring up a error as there is reports that after this update and riding some riders are getting errors, they told me specialised are working on a new patch for the firmware update and if I get any problems I just got to take it back to the shop….
I used the bike for the 1st time today at my local bike park, went through all the modes and gave it a good test and all
Seems ok.
All this aggro all because lbs did not refit the rubber bung after doing a update lol…
I did say maybe it’s a good idea for me to go over any work that’s carried out by them and the snotty sales guy said if I tamper with the bike after I could void warranty…
I suppose there are many bike shops like this all over the country and it’s pot luck wether you are lucky enough to have a gd lbs where you live..
Jeez. See this is why I don’t use car motorbike and push bike dealers as they seem to think they still own your bike and they can go what they want with it. I know you need a service for the warranty but Spesh really don’t fill me with confidence from what I hear from levo owners in our group. You’d think they would be a bit more humble given the brose motor issues. Some older models let water straight in through the gap between motor to spindle gap.

Obvs new bike shop needed by the sound of it. Bugger that
 

EMTB Forums

Since 2018

The World's largest electric mountain bike community.

559K
Messages
28,290
Members
Join Our Community

Latest articles


Top