Specialized Turbo Levo speed remote switch not working

[Homestead]

Hi all.

I have a 2021 Specialized Turbo Levo Hardtail and the remote handlebar switch does not work at all. I have swapped it out for a new one and still no joy, so I have rule out the switch and cable being the culprit. Any ideas what else it could be?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What does the Specialized dealer say?

 

[stompandgo]

I'm not familiar with the Brose systems. Is the remote wired or wireless? If wired, does it connect to the system controller on the top tube? If so, does the button on the system controller change assist levels, just not the remote? If wireless, is the new remote paired to the system controller? Do you have an app that can verify connectivity between components?

 

[Homestead]

I'm not familiar with the Brose systems. Is the remote wired or wireless? If wired, does it connect to the system controller on the top tube? If so, does the button on the system controller change assist levels, just not the remote? If wireless, is the new remote paired to the system controller? Do you have an app that can verify connectivity between components?

Thanks for the reply. The remote is wired directly to the motor. The system controller (which is housed within the battery) still works but it is quite hard to change the settings using this whilst riding.

 

[stompandgo]

OK, that helps. So you ran the remote cable through the frame down to the motor connection panel. Are you 100% sure that you plugged it into the correct motor port? I was unable to find a connection panel description for that motor which has a remote port. The cable should be keyed so that it only fits in one port, but who knows. Two more questions, is this bike tuned/de-restricted with an aftermarket device? If not, have you performed a system reset on the system controller (TCU)?

 

[Homestead]

OK, that helps. So you ran the remote cable through the frame down to the motor connection panel. Are you 100% sure that you plugged it into the correct motor port? I was unable to find a connection panel description for that motor which has a remote port. The cable should be keyed so that it only fits in one port, but who knows. Two more questions, is this bike tuned/de-restricted with an aftermarket device? If not, have you performed a system reset on the system controller (TCU)?

Yes definitely in the correct port. 100%. No tuning or aftermarket device. I am not sure how to do a system reset on the TCU for my model......can't seem to find any info on it by googling.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Homestead just take my advice. We, riders of Specialized e-bikes leave the work to Specialized professionals even well past the warranty period
Of course, you may ignore my advice.

Is your Levo equipped with a TCD-w or TCU? Are you aware the coin battery in these devices has to be occasionally replaced?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

As a Vado SL 1 owner with little understanding of the bike's electrical side, I'd be heading straight for an authorized Specialized repair shop at this juncture.They've got the proprietary diagnostics and parts access.

Yes, easy for me to say with 2 authorized dealers nearby, but not taking any chances with my pride and joy.

 

[stompandgo]

Yes definitely in the correct port. 100%. No tuning or aftermarket device. I am not sure how to do a system reset on the TCU for my model......can't seem to find any info on it by googling.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@stompandgo: you even don't know what TCU is present on @Homestead's Levo Hardtail Certainly it is not the SL 1 TCU. It is absolutely not a Mastermind. It is the TCU for Specialized 1.2E (Brose), not for Specialized SL 1.1 or 1.2 (Mahle) unit. His TCU is from late 2010s.
That's why Jeremy and I say: visit a Specialized dealer. Every e-bike part is assigned to the WSBC serial number in the Specialized database.

Once, I needed to replace the display and the remote on my historically complicated Vado. The salesman was new to the dealership. He looked to the database, determined my Vado was a 2017 model and said "I'm sorry, we don't carry the BLOKS electronics anymore". I sighed and asked a competent person to come. Then I said to the experienced man: "You see, the electronics on my Vado was replaced on the warranty to the newer TCD-w(s) in 2020. I need the electronics of 2020 Vado 6.0". That man was not stupid. He searched the database and -- voila! -- found the assembly I needed. I still have it on my Vado.

Specialized is not simple. That's why we Specialized riders always seek a professional advice instead of misleading someone with misinformation

 

[stompandgo]

I understand that he has a Brose system. I posted those as examples. You know, Stefan, sometimes you just have to try things. Giving someone things to try is a hell of a lot better than telling them to go to the dealer. My grandmother could tell him that.

Try holding the Power and Mode buttons down at the same time for at least 20 seconds. See if that resets it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Chris, it is "Ye goode olde Specialized" You are not aware how many ideas and parts the brand tested and replaced year after year. How non-standard they are.

You say "Brose". It is not Brose (the motor is). It is Specialized. Specialized has made a whole own infrastructure/architecture around Brose and Specialized SL (by Mahle) motors. For instance, @Homestead has an unusual 400 Wh battery with Bluetooth, which was briefly made by the end of 2010s. You cannot just take any remote and hope it would work. You cannot reset the older generation TCU the way you do it with TCU SL 1 or Mastermind.

Let me give you an excellent example what "Ye goode olde Specialized" can do. Take a 2017 Vado 5.0. It was equipped with a rigid fork and a non-standard thru-axle. It also had a "lemon" BLOKS electronics. It had TRP Zurich brakes (discontinued later) Only a year later, Spesh came with an OEM suspension fork from Suntour, which involved another thru axle and a different front hub. Only two years later, the failed BLOKS was replaced with TCD-w(s), which involved:

• The display
• The remote
• The horn button
• Supernova M99 Pro headlight
• New Supernova tail-light
• A new rear rack

Can you even fancy that?

The 2021 Specialized Turbo Levo Hardtail is an unusual e-bike, which was produced in a short run. Its electronics is unusual. Only Specialized knows what parts are compatible and how to make the things work...

A 2017 Vado 5.0 (45 km/h). 1 November 2019.

A 2020 Vado 6.0. 17 January 2023.

It is the same e-bike but is is totally different at the same time. Only Specialized could make it.

 

[stompandgo]

So only Specialized can service it? Bah to that nonsense.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

As comes to the electronic part: Yes.
Unless you know exactly what needs replacing, know the part number and can buy it in the aftermarket.

 

[stompandgo]

I suggested a reset procedure. Not replacing anything.

 

[Homestead]

I appreciate your help guys. I can find very little info on my bike so it does seem that it was a bit of an oddity!

It is with a Specialized dealer now.