Vado 5 not responding issue - power and assist surge

[Nxkharra]

Hi all please help.
I was riding on my 2020 Vado 5.0 yesterday.
I noticed and felt at the end of my ride the motor was not feeding back at the Turbo mode. I was able to ride but felt like the bike was on Eco mode.
i checked the Mission Control app. Battery and motor were OK.
the issue was intermittent. I made sure I was applying enough power on pedal to ensure have enough torque.
many ideas??

 

[PaD]

I’ll just drop two thoughts to get everybody started
1. Is battery properly seated? (intermittent issue)
2. I’ve heard of problems if magnet on disc or speed sensor are dirty.

And an extra wild one. You haven’t by chance enabled ’Smart Control’ in the Mission Control app?
I’ve never tried it but my guess is when battery level goes down Smart Control will lower power.
But would probably not be intermittent.

 

[Nxkharra]

Great suggestions. Battery was seated (I think). Just tried to check the magnet but can not locate. Anyone knows where the speed sensor is on Vado?
Checked the app and smart control was not enabled.

 

[Nxkharra]

I found the magnet. It was dirty. Cleaned it. Will see if this correct issue. Will report soon.
thanks for great suggestions.

 

[PaD]

The sensor is not so easy to see or clean as it is so far back on the chain stay.

 

[Nxkharra]

I wonder if this is the correct magnet I found and cleaned. It is on the opposite side of chain.

 

[Nxkharra]

On the disc break

 

[jim6b]

Remove your battery and when you reinstall, after you hear the "click", give it a good slap with your hand to make sure it is seated.

 

[PaD]

I wonder if this is the correct magnet I found and cleaned. It is on the opposite side of chain.

Correct.
And I think the advice from @jim6b is good.
Don’t know how hard that slap should be. I’m a cautious guy so I would call it a firm press

 

[jim6b]

Correct.
And I think the advice from @jim6b is good.
Don’t know how hard that slap should be. I’m a cautious guy so I would call it a firm press

No.

Watch Court's video on the Vado 5.0 at about minute 18-20 where the firm slap is demonstrated.

 

[PaD]

No.

Watch Court's video on the Vado 5.0 at about minute 18-20 where the firm slap is demonstrated.

I should have said that what I would do is to give it a firm press.
But maybe that isn’t enough.
I’ll practice.

 

[Nxkharra]

I get the firm pressing or slapping. I always do or else it doesn’t seat properly.
my question is if the battery is not seated properly does the power even come on?

 

[jim6b]

I get the firm pressing or slapping. I always do or else it doesn’t seat properly.
my question is if the battery is not seated properly does the power even come on?

In my case, yes. My problem was that occasionally the motor would lose power momentarily to minutes (say once every 3rd or 4th ride). It was as if there were a loose connection rattling loose. The Vado slap put an end to the problem in my case and apparently, based on post here, it has for others also.

gl

 

[Nxkharra]

Nice to know. Thanks. Makes sense.
wondering why they haven’t addressed the issues yet.
I am very impressed with Specialized equipment and even accessories.
I have been buying their MTB accessories and all have been well thought of and well made.
thanks again all.
I have now cleaned the magnet and slapped the battery. Will report the progress.
As mentioned above the magnet was dirty and I do take the battery out when hauling my bike on the rack on my Jeep to save my back from picking it up (7 pounds less helps).
Not sure if it is good idea taking the battery out and in often.

 

[Nxkharra]

Ok. I now have cleaned the speed sensor and the magnet and have ensured the battery is securely seated.
still something causing it to pick up speed and reduce it at times although riding with the same power.
I started to look at the “power” indicator on the monitor and it drops and increases with the same amount of energy.
Any ideas please?

 

[Nxkharra]

Had a 33 mile ride today. Still felt a little bit of assist not responding for a split second and then working.
will have it checked this week to ensure torque sensor is OK. It seems the torque drops and picks up again...
More to come. Sharing in case someone else have the same issue to help.

 

[Nxkharra]

Please help.
after dealer checking things and making sure all connections are clean/tight, and upgrading the firmware the bike was doing OK for a week.
yesterday however there was a little delay in motor responding. Like there was a split second break.
this does not cause issues in riding but it is annoying.
I decided to open the clutch for the chain (XTS). This made things worse.
I am thinking now that the chain tension might be the issue as the motor has to detect correct torque to respond and incorrect chain tension interfere with this.
I am not by all means technical and this is a wild guess.
could someone with technical knowledge help please.

 

[Nxkharra]

Took the bike (Vado 5) to the shop for surge in power.
they have contacted a Specialized and are exchanging head unit along with wirings connected to it.
does not make sense to me but will try and report.
many one else have similar issues??
Please share.

 

[Nxkharra]

Picked up the Vado yesterday after replacement of the head unit monitor.
rode 39 miles with no issues.
keep my fingers cross as it was riding ok for a week last time also before the issue reappeared.

 

[Nxkharra]

New update. I had a longer ride last night. On 28 mile The motor stopped responding and monitor was flashing “motor error”. I turned the motor off and then on and was able to finish the ride.
The issue with the power surging/dropping seems to be OK for now.
here is a pic.