Turbo Vado SL 2 6.0 - turns itself on when off and unattended

[John in CA]

My Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 6.0 randomly turns itself on--Mastermind H3 display, headlight and taillight. In addition, the clock on the display is incorrect until the bike connects to the Specialized app. This is not expected behavior. Why is it doing this? Has anyone else experienced this?

NOTE: When not in use, the bike is in my garage. The garage is cool and dry. The bike has never been wet--either while riding or by being washed by a hose. Once the bike connects to the Specialized app, the clock immediately resets to the correct time. I have a Range Extender, but it is not on the bike when this unattended power-on happens. Otherwise, the bike performs perfectly.

Thanks!

John

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A visit at a Specialized dealer seems to be necessary...

 

[John in CA]

Actually, I am already working with my dealer to solve this. They have downloaded error codes from the bike and forwarded them to Specialized. Specialized suggested replacing a wiring harness which the dealer has done. Since that did not solve the problem, the dealer has communicated again with Specialized and we are expecting a further response in the next day or so.

I asked three AI websites for their opinion on what’s going on—ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. The conclusion seems to be that the Mastermind H3 may need to be replaced. We’ll see what Specialized has to say.

 

[mcdenny]

I have a new SL2 5.0. About 4 weeks old, 60 ish miles.

Does exactly the same thing. Happened 2 times this week.

Maybe related, the LBS swapped the stock handlebar for a new one with more rise. I helped the mechanic do it. It is quite tricky to get the two wires for the light and display threaded into the bar clamp. They popped out and got pinched on the first try. Maybe the wires got damaged?

I’m sure every bike has to have the handlebars attached as part of the LBS building procedure.

Bike never turned itself on before the handle bar swap.

 

[mcdenny]

Actually, I am already working with my dealer to solve this. They have downloaded error codes from the bike and forwarded them to Specialized. Specialized suggested replacing a wiring harness which the dealer has done. Since that did not solve the problem, the dealer has communicated again with Specialized and we are expecting a further response in the next day or so.

I asked three AI websites for their opinion on what’s going on—ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. The conclusion seems to be that the Mastermind H3 may need to be replaced. We’ll see what Specialized has to say.

John, any update?

 

[fooferdoggie]

ghost in the bike.

 

[John in CA]

@mcdenny,

Yes, I do have an update. After replacing the wiring harness did not solve the issue, Specialized sent my dealer a new Mastermind H3 display. That fixed it! Everything is working perfectly now.

Good luck resolving things with your bike.

John

 

[Mike Tod]

Mine has just started doing the same thing ! Twice today & yes the clock is incorrect too......

Of course LBS is closed Mondays - Grrr

 

[John in CA]

It's been two months since my MasterMind H3 display was replaced, and the bike continues to work perfectly.

Mike... good luck with getting your bike repaired quickly.

 

[mcdenny]

About a 6 weeks ago LBS replaced display, thumb switch and associated wires. (all one part). Worked perfect until this week, one auto turn on, several days of clock display wrong and a motor error asl2-m-20992 which says communication between tau and motor briefly interrupted. Sounds like a loose connection or perhaps a circuit board fault.

Dropped off the bike at my LBS yesterday.

 

[mcdenny]

After nearly 2 weeks, LBS found a loose connection between headlight and wire harness. Took the bike home last Thursday (5/14), clock is still wrong every morning, no auto turn on or error messages yet. Repairing with phone/Specialized app resets correct time. LBS is conferring with Specialized to see what's next.

I'm keeping the bike until they have a new repair ready.

It's a small problem but I'm concerned about electrical gremlins growing with time. It oughta work goddammit!

Edited to say an hour after I posted this I went out in to the garage and the bike was turned on. My wife noticed and asked if the bike had a sentry function like her Tesla.

 

[Mike Tod]

Mine's turned on once since last report. LBS reported back to Spec - am awaiting further info......

After showing my Spec dealer this thread they ordered & fitted a new computer & cabling last week. Very helpful guys based in Sete France.

All going well - so far !

 

[Mike Tod]

Spoke too soon ! This morning bike was lit up again ! Must have been on several hours because the battery had drained 7%. Didn't go near it yesterday.....
Grrrrrrrr

 

[Chazmo]

What a strange bug/gremlin.

Does the display have a coin battery, gang? Maybe it's dead? The loss of the clock sounds like it might be due to that. No idea if that has anything to do with the unintended power-on. Very odd.

Cheers.

 

[Mike Tod]

What a strange bug/gremlin.

Does the display have a coin battery, gang? Maybe it's dead? The loss of the clock sounds like it might be due to that. No idea if that has anything to do with the unintended power-on. Very odd.

Cheers.

No battery it runs off the bike one I assume. Odd though its 13.03 here now but clock on bike says 17.37.......so its some 19.5 hours out. Suggests that when it does switch on itself the clock stops but the display & lights are on..... Weird !! The clock is working Ok now but time still incorrect I guess until I connect it to App.

 

[mcdenny]

I check my bike every morning. If the clock is wrong I connect to the app and that resets the time.

In the 24 days I've had my bike back from the LBS, bike turned itself on 3 times, clock has been wrong 9 days, right 16 times.

Once when the bike turned itself on the clock was right, twice it was wrong.

LBS reports Spec is referring my ticket (GRCSD-22822) from person to person. Obviously no one there actually knows what is wrong.

Probably unrelated but the bike is getting noisier. A new high pitched sound when pedaling gently, seems unrelated to cadence. I have confidence Spec will ultimately fix the electrical gremlin and that doesn't affect the ride ability but the noise is a disappointment. My old Como motor was silent, this SL2 motor is definitely not silent.

 

[Mike Tod]

Its really strange, I bought mine around 16 months ago & until recently its been fine. Yours is new isn't it ? Obviously a software gremlin somewhere in a recent update.

 

[mcdenny]

It is newish. I got it in February. Only has 153 miles on it.

 

[BioWheel]

I check my bike every morning. If the clock is wrong I connect to the app and that resets the time.

In the 24 days I've had my bike back from the LBS, bike turned itself on 3 times, clock has been wrong 9 days, right 16 times.

Once when the bike turned itself on the clock was right, twice it was wrong.

LBS reports Spec is referring my ticket (GRCSD-22822) from person to person. Obviously no one there actually knows what is wrong.

Probably unrelated but the bike is getting noisier. A new high pitched sound when pedaling gently, seems unrelated to cadence. I have confidence Spec will ultimately fix the electrical gremlin and that doesn't affect the ride ability but the noise is a disappointment. My old Como motor was silent, this SL2 motor is definitely not silent.

The high-pitched sound is normal. Same on my SL2 and have never had an issue.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

The high-pitched sound is normal. Same on my SL2 and have never had an issue.

Depends. If the noise is getting louder that's not normal. My motor (Vado SL 4.0) was replaced when mechanic test rode it and then a new bike from shop floor and said my 2 year old motor whine was considerably louder, indicating a wear problem and Spesh replaced it under warranty.