Turbo Vado 3.0 control pad

[barakthecat]

I’m having an annoying issue with my Vado 3.0. Twice now I’ve had a problem where the control display turns on, and it accurately displays the speed, battery level, and current trip odometer, but it doesn’t respond to the controller. Both times it’s happened to me has been after riding in the rain, and I suspect the controller gets water in it and has to dry out. I’m about to bring it back to the shop again and will request they order a replacement controller that hopefully can stand up to the rain. Anyone else having similar issues?

 

[rich c]

I doubt if it's water inside the controller. Hard to imagine water wouldn't do permanent damage when getting on the circuit boards. I'd suggest you let them do the troubleshooting.

 

[PaD]

Perhaps a stupid question from me but..
Does the bike/motor respond to the controller?
Asking because I found out I can ride my Vado without the display an still change support levels from Eco to Sport etc.

 

[barakthecat]

I can only run in sport mode (the default when it turns on). That the display continues to work and none of the buttons do, makes me think the problem is in the controller and not the display or contacts.

 

[PaD]

I can only run in sport mode (the default when it turns on). That the display continues to work and none of the buttons do, makes me think the problem is in the controller and not the display or contacts.

Seems like you're right. Hope the shop can fix it fast so you get to ride again.

 

[coffeemaker]

I doubt if it's water inside the controller. Hard to imagine water wouldn't do permanent damage when getting on the circuit boards.

Water or other liquids certainly can damage electronics by corroding away the traces.

But I thought the the electronics were water resistant?

 

[PaD]

Water or other liquids certainly can damage electronics by corroding away the traces.

But I thought the the electronics were water resistant?

Rode home with my Vado 4 from a business meeting Thursday afternoon. 16km in rain, about an hour. Not torrential but definitely worse than a light rain and several puddles on the streets and bike lanes.
No problems. I avoided what looked like deeper pools. Been in rain before but not longer than an hour.

 

[barakthecat]

It’ll be a few days until I can bring it in. I’ll be sure to let everyone know the outcome. Sadly the first time it happened, the bike shop didn’t fix it, it fixed itself, so I suspect this is going to take a long time to deal with.

 

[barakthecat]

Heard back from the LBS today. Specialized is sending out a replacement of the controller, wiring, and computer. Should hopefully have it back by the end of the week. I noticed that the wiring on mine was very tight in the front and that on the current floor model there is much more slack than would be possible with mine. So maybe the wire was too short and under too much stress. No idea. Hope this fixes it.

 

[barakthecat]

I’ve had the bike back for a week now. The wiring harness was completely replaced and the base for the Bloks computer was also replaced. The base is different than the original, there used to be 3 gold contacts on the right and 2 on the left. Now there are 3 on the right and 1 on the left. The battery life is also notably better - I used to use two full bars on my commute to work in sport mode and now only use 1. Not sure what the cause for this is, but certainly welcome.

 

[Quadracer]

I too had issues in the rain. Once the bike just stopped also I couldn't turn the bike on or off. Turns out its water seeping in between the display and mount. I ran insulation tape around the edge of the display and mount and never had a issue again, even in heavy rain.