Bosch Purion - display not working

[Beancounter]

So I took a punt on a new Bosch Kiox controller. This was £230 as opposed to the £100 for a new Purion. The Kiox is a much more pleasing display to use, colour display for a start and connects to the Bosch ebike app.

In terms of fitting the Kiox controller, it was a fiddly job that took a lot longer than it should, mainly because I was doing this for the first time so was considering everything instead of steaming in and removing bolts.

Nevertheless, I had to remove the motor to get to the plug for the controller. That wasn’t too difficult, four bolts, only one of which had tight access but by no means that difficult. Then it was on with removing the battery holder/brackets. This was four bolts top and bottom to remove each bracket from the frame. Annoyingly four of the bolts are security Torx bolts which require Torx bits with a hole in them. Makes sense but irritating because I only had Torx keys that would fit and that then meant access issues. Again, not insurmountable, just took more time to slacken/tighten each bolt.

Putting it all together was, as you’d imagine, much trickier because of two issues. One, you have to get the cable routing spot on otherwise the motor won’t fit back in and two, getting the battery holder brackets spot on was some trial and error. It was easy to bolt them back on to the bike and to re-install the battery but unless they’re spot on you could have trouble with the lock mechanism for the battery meaning you wouldn’t be able to remove the key or even remove the battery itself. A little bit of patience and slackening off the top frame mounting bolts allows the freedom to get the mechanism working as intended.

Getting the battery bolted back on to the frame was an utter pain in the arse. Getting the top two captive nuts through is simple enough but getting them to bite into the motor was the hard part. With hindsight, having the bike hanging from a workshop stand probably made that more difficult as you couldn’t really get a good purchase on the motor whilst driving just enough force on to the bolts for them to bite. In the end job was done with Maccecht’s impromptu help.

Took a load of photos but they’re saved on my Google Drive and I can’t see how to add them. Will add them in later when I log on to my laptop.

Unfortunately all of this was in vain as the new controller didn’t fix the problem. The new controller is working and it picks up a reading from the speedo on the rear wheel and also shows how much charge is in the Powertube battery but still no assistance from the motor.

A quick scour of eBay shows two motors, both in the region of £900 but I’m reluctant to spend more money until I know it is the motor which is faulty.

Will be calling some ebike specific mechanics tomorrow in the hope they can help.

[weeksy]

Ouch! Great job, if a little futile.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

There's a bloke in the New Forest who specialises in repairing ebikes, good luck with it, I assume it's over 2 years old and out of Bosch warranty?

[MingtheMerciless]

That’s a bugger, good luck with getting it fixed

[Beancounter]

There's a bloke in the New Forest who specialises in repairing ebikes, good luck with it, I assume it's over 2 years old and out of Bosch warranty?

Yep, it's a 2017 model with no warranty on the motor. I assume there's a way of bench testing these units but there's precious little info on the web, can't even find a wiring diagram.

Do you have the name of the fella in the New Forest? I'm happy to travel if it gets the bike sorted.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Just had a look £671 plus postage for a new motor from Germany

[Beancounter]

Just had a look £671 plus postage for a new motor from Germany

On eBay?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Just had a look £671 plus postage for a new motor from Germany

On eBay?

Yes, Gen 4 is £900, Gen 2 is £671, search under Bosch CX motor in cycling.

Had a quick Google of while repairs, seem to be a reasonable number of people doing it, probably best to find one locally and have a chat with them, I've no idea how they work, I've tried to find out but it seems to be a bit of a secret.

[weeksy]

Just had a look £671 plus postage for a new motor from Germany

Plus 20% then plus other stuff.

[Beancounter]

Just re-read my post from yesterday, I said getting the battery back in was an utter pain in the arse when I actually meant getting the motor back in was an utter pain in the arse.

Bike now booked into an ebike specialist next Monday. He didn’t seem too fazed when I explained the problem so fingers crossed he can fix it, otherwise it’s new motor time.

[Beancounter]

Just heard back from the LeBS. Apparently all fixed. New Kiox controller just needed software updating and it's now talking to all the other components. £25.

If ^^^ is the case, I shall be fecking ecstatic and will be counting myself very lucky to have got away cheaply.

[weeksy]

Bargain!!!

[Beancounter]

Bargain!!!

Yup. I paid £230 for the Kiox but could arguably have got the same result with a new Purion at £90. Whilst the Purion does the job, the Kiox is much nicer to use and records all manner of metrics - not essential for most but I like to record my rides and my TomTom Sports watch has just died so it was cheaper to buy the Kiox than go for a Purion and new watch.

If the bikes is running as Bosch intends, I'll be well happy!

[simonPL]

If the bikes is running as Bosch intends, I'll be well happy!

Hello @Beancounter ,
I have a similar problem as you on my Trek Powerfly 7 FS 2019 ebike. Did you solve the problem? What was the problem and solution? I will be grateful for your response.

[Beancounter]

If the bikes is running as Bosch intends, I'll be well happy!

Hello @Beancounter ,
I have a similar problem as you on my Trek Powerfly 7 FS 2019 ebike. Did you solve the problem? What was the problem and solution? I will be grateful for your response.

Hi Simon, couldn't tell you what the actual problem was with my original Purion controller, I suspect it got wet when I washed the bike and that led to the initial failure. Then when I bought the new Kiox as a replacement it needed a system update to work with my battery and motor. I haven't used the bike in a while but all was well since the update, touch wood. Cost me £230 for the new Kiox and £30 for the update and poking around.