2020 - 2024 Specialized Turbo Levo TCU Battery Change

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  • Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
  • This is a simple video showing you how to change the battery in the TCU to stop this particular sequence of red and blue fashing lights.
    A google of the flashing lights will show there different meanings of the lights depending on their location. This video relates to the TCU battery lights only.
    No special tools or techniques are needed and with a little care could be undertaken by most people.
    This video is provided for information only and no responsibility is taken if things don't go well for you! I'm reporting my single expereince at changing the battery.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 46

  • @lazurm
    @lazurm Місяць тому +6

    Four suggestions:
    1.-After removing the 10 torx screw, if you don't have a magnetic tray, remove the TCU and then replace the screw into its position on the top tube so that you vastly reduce the odds of losing it if it falls somewhere.
    2.-To remove the battery easily without a tool, disconnect the two thick cables from the TCU (don't worry, they can't be mixed up when reconnecting them because they have a different pattern for the pins, not to mention that one is color coded) and then place the TCU in a cupped hand in such a way that no part of the TCU can be hit when you slap your hands together. Doing it this way will have the battery fly out of the TCU.
    3.-I'd strongly suggest using plastic, sharp pointed tweezers to push the new battery in as using a metal shanked mini-screwdriver or anything that causes metal to enter the battery compartment runs the real risk of shorting the TCU and blowing its board.
    4.-This last suggestion is a seemingly minor one but, based on my experience, the CR1620 batteries don't have a long enough shelf life that one can assume that the "new" one you put into the TCU is in new condition. Thankfully I own a MBT-1 pulse load battery tester which tests many batteries, the CR1620 being one of them. Today, the bicycle shop put one in (no charge so, why not?) and by evening I couldn't even turn my TCU on. Thankfully I had a new battery on hand and so I tested the one the shop put in and it read out at 40%. The one I put in was at 100% and, sure enough, my TCU turned on easily after I made the switch.

  • @MichaelMoles-r6g
    @MichaelMoles-r6g Місяць тому +4

    I landed up unplugging the cables so I could work on the unit on a bench, I then pushed the clip back and by gently tapping the unit on the bench the battery fell out! The wires are colour coded so easy to reconnect, just remember to line up the grove on the connecters.

    • @markfogg2215
      @markfogg2215 25 днів тому

      This is the best way. No fiddling. disconnect tabs and it taps right out. thanks

  • @michaelroper6976
    @michaelroper6976 Місяць тому +2

    Thanks for this! Really helpful. I inserted the jewellers flat driver under the safety lip to get a purchase on the battery and it came straight out. Easier than fiddling around the sides.

  • @MikeBarbarossa
    @MikeBarbarossa Місяць тому +3

    The plastic piece on the bottom comes off with some careful prying.
    This makes it easier to get the battery out

  • @bungi101a
    @bungi101a Місяць тому +2

    Very useful - followed your tip with the small screwdriver and whole job took 2 minutes. Thanks!

  • @migueljuarez6217
    @migueljuarez6217 3 місяці тому +2

    So thankful sir! You just helped me save quite a good money by not taking it to the dealer to diagnose the error and change the battery. Regards from Monterrey, Mexico!

  • @999columbo
    @999columbo 3 місяці тому +3

    Brilliant, looked for vids a few weeks ago on this but didn’t find much.
    Just tried replacing battery and was totally stumped on how to get it out! You would think with all the Specialized R&D that they could come up with a sliding plastic tab that battery sits in, that you can actually grab hold of to remove the battery!
    Thanks for the video, it’s back off to the garage to try again.

    • @lazurm
      @lazurm Місяць тому

      To remove the battery easily without a tool, disconnect the two thick cables from the TCU (don't worry, they can't be mixed up when reconnecting them because they have a different pattern for the pins, not to mention that one is color coded) and then place the TCU in a cupped hand in such a way that no part of the TCU can be hit when you slap your hands together. Doing it this way will have the battery fly out of the TCU.

  • @robertaharper1265
    @robertaharper1265 3 місяці тому +2

    I have a Turbo Vado sl. My manual does not explain how to get the battery out so thank you for this. I just want to mention my manual does state that using metallic tweezers to re-insert the battery will lead to the battery short circuiting. I noticed you used a small metal screwdriver in your video 😊.

    • @BryanMcGlade
      @BryanMcGlade  3 місяці тому

      The screw driver only touches one side and it's the flat battery coming out so it's all good!

    • @lazurm
      @lazurm Місяць тому +1

      To remove the battery easily without a tool, disconnect the two thick cables from the TCU (don't worry, they can't be mixed up when reconnecting them because they have a different pattern for the pins, not to mention that one is color coded) and then place the TCU in a cupped hand in such a way that no part of the TCU can be hit when you slap your hands together. Doing it this way will have the battery fly out of the TCU.

    • @dingodeano
      @dingodeano Місяць тому

      @@lazurm This is the way !

  • @steveburge9745
    @steveburge9745 2 місяці тому +1

    Great video. Saved me heaps in doing it myself. I share your frustration with the battery mechanism. Very fiddly.

  • @villepallari3189
    @villepallari3189 2 місяці тому +5

    I found much easier way to remove old battery. Disconnet tcu two wire-push battery clip down a little. Then knock it against something(wood) very easy knock and its out

    • @davidfrederick-y1i
      @davidfrederick-y1i 2 місяці тому +1

      Great tip. No prying or tools required worked great. Thx

    • @lazurm
      @lazurm Місяць тому +1

      Yes, this works but rather than knocking it against wood (not a good idea for sensitive electronics) just cup the TCU in one hand and bang that hand against your other hand. The TCU doesn't get directly hit and the G forces, though gentler, are enough.

    • @villepallari3189
      @villepallari3189 28 днів тому

      @@lazurmyes! I didnt mean that way.. soft wood. Not hardened😅

    • @lazurm
      @lazurm 27 днів тому +1

      @@villepallari3189 I'd disagree, especially when there's a totally risk free method (the one I suggested). Any high g forces that would be generated when tapping even against "soft" wood just isn't necessary.

    • @villepallari3189
      @villepallari3189 26 днів тому

      @@lazurmyes. If you say so.

  • @andymack9208
    @andymack9208 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for video! For removing battery I bent the end of a large paper clip and it was a snap.

  • @luclebel6265
    @luclebel6265 Місяць тому +1

    Very useful. And great job with the montage 👍

  • @rogerblank5280
    @rogerblank5280 4 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for the vid! My 2020 Levo is the best Trail ebike I've ridden. Cheers 🍻

    • @BryanMcGlade
      @BryanMcGlade  4 місяці тому

      You're welcome. I love mine, its just amazing ;-)

    • @BryanMcGlade
      @BryanMcGlade  3 місяці тому

      Glad to be of some help. I agree its one of the worst battery designs I've ever seen! Its a pity this error code is not in the manual that come with the bike too...

  • @markfogg2215
    @markfogg2215 25 днів тому +1

    The digging and fiddling is not necessary. Simply unplug the quick disconnects and tap the unit upside down on a counter top surface and the battery falls right out. The QD's are color coded and have an arrow on each side for lining up correctly and popping back togeter.

  • @philedwards7174
    @philedwards7174 Місяць тому +1

    Thank you. Very helpful.

  • @mikeloeser6239
    @mikeloeser6239 3 місяці тому +2

    I had trouble getting that battery out. Finally pushed down on the battery tab with a tiny flathead, while pushing the battery upwards and it wiggled loose.

    • @BryanMcGlade
      @BryanMcGlade  3 місяці тому

      its a bit tricky. very poor battery design i think!

    • @lazurm
      @lazurm Місяць тому

      To remove the battery easily without a tool, disconnect the two thick cables from the TCU (don't worry, they can't be mixed up when reconnecting them because they have a different pattern for the pins, not to mention that one is color coded) and then place the TCU in a cupped hand in such a way that no part of the TCU can be hit when you slap your hands together. Doing it this way will have the battery fly out of the TCU.

  • @Justin-iw7pl
    @Justin-iw7pl 3 місяці тому +1

    Thanks man, your a life saver.chapeau 👌👍

  • @richardgenz7406
    @richardgenz7406 Місяць тому +1

    My '21 Turbo Vado SL has the same TCU and poorly-designed coin battery holder. The manual got my attention about risk of a short-circuit so I hesitated to use metal tools.
    Disconnecting TCU is easy using the two color-coded barrel connectors located on the bicycle side, away from TCU.
    The cupped-hands method got me nowhere. Clip holds battery in place. Careful tapping also failed to budge it.
    I pried open the case w/ a razor blade and thin screwdriver. Then used a wooden pointed skewer (like a toothpick) to push battery forward while holding metal clip out of the way with needle-nose pliers.
    Quite a PITA.

    • @BryanMcGlade
      @BryanMcGlade  Місяць тому

      quite the ordeal! Glad you were sucessful.

  • @RobertAnema
    @RobertAnema Місяць тому +1

    SOLUTION: I found it frustrating to pry the battery out of the TCU.
    Eventually what worked very easily was using a thin narrow piece scotch tape, and slip it down along the battery on the opposite side of the clip.
    Then use a small eyeglass screwdriver to press the tape against the battery.
    Then use eyeglass screwdriver to push away the clip.
    Then pull the battery out with the tape.

  • @Dwyeb73
    @Dwyeb73 Місяць тому +4

    To get the battery out super easy. Push the little tab down and simply pull out with a magnet. 🧲 Tip of Gorilla tape can work to. Super aggravating. Bad design.

    • @BryanMcGlade
      @BryanMcGlade  Місяць тому +2

      I tried a few magnets but I was not sucessful - perhaps I didn't have the right kind of magnet. The tape idea sounds good!

    • @Dwyeb73
      @Dwyeb73 Місяць тому +1

      @@BryanMcGladeI use the little telescopic antenna magnet like mechanics use to retrieve dropped bolts etc. If you press that little clip down that’s right before the battery it literally almost pops out onto the magnet.

    • @lazurm
      @lazurm Місяць тому

      To remove the battery easily without a tool, disconnect the two thick cables from the TCU (don't worry, they can't be mixed up when reconnecting them because they have a different pattern for the pins, not to mention that one is color coded) and then place the TCU in a cupped hand in such a way that no part of the TCU can be hit when you slap your hands together. Doing it this way will have the battery fly out of the TCU.

  • @adamhardman1771
    @adamhardman1771 Місяць тому +1

    I had the same error with mine. It was just overheating. Never a good idea to charge it in direct sunlight. It was fine after a few minutes after cooling down.

  • @maureenparkhurst9948
    @maureenparkhurst9948 Місяць тому +2

    To remove battery I turned it upside down and banged into my hand. It flew out!!!
    (Before that I was getting very frustrated.)

  • @charlesvickery
    @charlesvickery 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you!!

  • @BikingBadwithTC
    @BikingBadwithTC 3 місяці тому

    If your bike has the TCU screen, it does not have a dedicated internal battery.

  • @scottea100
    @scottea100 2 місяці тому

    This video could by 20 seconds long.

  • @jamiealite
    @jamiealite 9 днів тому +2

    Some of the tcu’s have a battery door that you use a coin to open it.