2021 Turbo Levo SL carbon power goes off

[Stefan Mikes]

You do not need to remove the crank or chainring to access the motor bolts. Removing the drive-side pedal is necessary.

Dropping the SL 1.1 motor to remove the main battery is one of the easier things a layman can do to an SL e-bike.

P.S. Everything is easy when you rotate the e-bike first so it is resting on the bars and the saddle.

 

[Mr. Max]

I've had similar problem with my 2020 Levo (not an SL). My Levo sometimes doesn't start and gives a red error message on the TCU. Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery has always fixed it. Unfortunately for you, unlike with Levo SL, removing and reinstalling the battery on a Levo is easy. At one point, my LBS took it apart and cleaned off all of the connections. That solved this occasional problem for a long time. This error still happens once in a while if the bike sits for months (like in winter). Fingers crossed, your problem is an easy fix!

 

[rede]

I had a 2016 Turbo Levo Fattie, an early model. which was problematic, and was almost immediately replaced with a new one, by Specialized. Went through lots of repairs/replaced parts over the first two years, all under warranty, and then it settled down. Did have the occasional power shutoff, and found that the plug needed cleaning. On one ride the power went off, and I was stranded, but managed to get back. Took it to the shop, and they couldn't find anything wrong. There I noticed the new SL's and decided why not!! Was able to sell the Levo to Pro's Closet for a nice figure. Very happy with the SL, hopefully it will be fixed. The shop says it's the battery moving, and that's what the stabilization kit is for. The tech did say the connector plug is not threaded or a bayonet, just pushes in, so I guess it could lose the connection if the battery is moving.

 

[rede]

The battery stabilization kit has been installed. The tech said the kit includes some "brackets" that keep the battery from moving. The battery is held in with two bolts from the bottom of the downtube, so it seems odd that it could move. Maybe the battery housing flexes and sort of rotates around the bolts? The tech found the connector loose, and said it does have two little tabs to lock it in, but it's only maybe an eighth of a turn of the collar, seems questionable, but with the battery secure, it should stay tight. They also did a complete diagnostic check on the battery, motor, etc. The work was done under warranty, thankfully, and they have kits available for the Levo and Vado SL bikes. This must be a somewhat frequent problem since they have designed kits to fix the issue. Will be riding as soon as the rain stops here, and hopefully the bike is back to reliable performance.

 

[rede]

Update. Rode 15 miles yesterday and bike performed normally, no issues at all. So...the battery stabilization kit was the answer to the power shutting off.
Just curious about cables and TCU. There is a cable from the motor to the TCU, and it seems the main battery connector cable also goes through the downtube to the TCU. It seems there must be cable running from the left side connector port to the TCU as well? Supposedly the TCU is the brain. It's quite small, ad just wondering if there are relays or some kind of power switches in the motor case? As you can switch to different boost levels, there must be some kind of relay or power switch somewhere, but I'd guess not in the TCU, as it's tiny.

Harold Wrede

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Update. Rode 15 miles yesterday and bike performed normally, no issues at all. So...the battery stabilization kit was the answer to the power shutting off.
Just curious about cables and TCU. There is a cable from the motor to the TCU, and it seems the main battery connector cable also goes through the downtube to the TCU. It seems there must be cable running from the left side connector port to the TCU as well? Supposedly the TCU is the brain. It's quite small, ad just wondering if there are relays or some kind of power switches in the motor case? As you can switch to different boost levels, there must be some kind of relay or power switch somewhere, but I'd guess not in the TCU, as it's tiny.

Harold Wrede

Harold, Specialized writes the TCU is the brain of SL e-bikes (in its support web site). For instance, software updates are written through the TCU. On the other hand, there might be another circuit closed inside the motor casing.

 

[Base]

The Brain is in the DriveUnit. There is the real computer (PCB) which calculates al the things and communicates this through the system,. The TCU/Mastermind etc are what they call HMI, Human Machine Interface,

had to dig in the mail for this video. Halfway in they show the cable routing of the main cable harness which runs the comms in the system of DU, HMI, Battery and Speed sensor.

The HMI in these systems perform different tasks, mainly to let the system communicate with the user, via the "display" function, BT connection with the app, via USB to the PC connection software (basically a bridge function between the CAN system and the software on the pc) and in most cases also the buttons to activate the system. Also with this HMI the external power cords are attached on the remote port, If you would look at other vendors on the market, these systems work the shame, Mahle X35/X20, Hayena, Avinox, etc work the same. Bosch and Shimano have a different port layout from the DU to the HMI, but functionality is almost the same.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Base, your explanation is convincing.
You would be perceived as a more likeable person if you never used Bosch E-Bike phraseology in Specialized Forum It is "the motor" not "DU", thank you.