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Author Topic: ~ Anybody know how to fix a "2,1" error code? ~  (Read 4471 times)

Alan. Yes THAT Alan

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~ Anybody know how to fix a "2,1" error code? ~
« on: November 21, 2024, 09:00:55 AM »

My 2016 Zero SR only has a little over 4,000 miles on it. I've owned it for about 2 years and it's been very reliable until today. Suddenly, with no warning at all, the motorcycle won't move. When I twist the throttle, I see the red light flash "21".
 The manual says "Contactor Error", whatever that means. There is no dealer anywhere near here, and even if there were, I prefer to fix things myself.
Has anybody else had this problem? I'm going to connect my laptop to the Zero tomorrow and see if anything looks unusual.
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TheRan

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Re: ~ Anybody know how to fix a "2,1" error code? ~
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2024, 09:28:59 AM »

21 is "Board Vpack Error" which is related to the BMS. You could replace it but it's not an easy thing nor safe for the inexperienced, and you'd have to of course track down a replacement.
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Alan. Yes THAT Alan

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Re: ~ Anybody know how to fix a "2,1" error code? ~
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2024, 07:59:58 PM »

When you say "replace it", what is 'it'? A circuit board? A solenoid? Something in the BMS?

Update:
 Last night, I plugged the AC cord into the charger, to see what happens. It was at 67% already. I heard the usual click, CLACK from the solenoids (or contactor) somewhere under the seat and watched the dashboard while the charge went from 67% up to 69%. Everything seemed good there.
 Then I unplugged the AC cord and heard the usual CLICK from a solenoid again. Waited a few seconds for the display to shut off, put in the key, and the Zero booted up as if nothing was wrong and I was able to 'drive' it a few inches in the garage. It's fixed!

 Or is it? Is this a one-time fluke? Is something failing? Are Zeroes supposed to 'break' like this at 4,000 miles? At least now that everything's working again, I know it's not an electronic problem; it was something physical.
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TheRan

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Re: ~ Anybody know how to fix a "2,1" error code? ~
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2024, 02:59:12 AM »

The BMS is a circuit board, connected to the battery and manages stuff like charging and balancing all the cells (hence the name, battery management system). Because of this it is always powered with 96-116V so messing about with it carries the potential of shorting something out. I think there's just the one connector and there's a chance it could just be loose, and that could give an intermittent fault.

https://zeromanual.com/wiki/BMS
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Alan. Yes THAT Alan

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Re: ~ Anybody know how to fix a "2,1" error code? ~
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2024, 09:06:40 PM »

It's been a month, and two things have happened in that time:

1) I've driving the Zero on several trips around town. Everything from around the block to 10 miles. Everything is running and charging as always. Although I'm nervous about it refusing to start again since I didn't really do anything to fix it, part of me is wondering if it was a one-time fluke.

2) On Day-one, I did what Zero's manual says to do and emailed the company. I sent them several screenshots of what I find when I connect my laptop to the OBD2 port under the seat. But all I've received from them are the same form emails, telling me to go to the nearest dealer (which is 4 hours away!) and trying to tell me to use their app, which I did 3 times and which doesn't work at all like they think it does. Really frustrating that their expensive motorcycle only made it to 4,000 miles before conking out, yet all they do is let the interns waste my time and not get anyone technical involved with troubleshooting the actual problem.

  As much as I've loved this motorcycle so far, if this is what Zero's parts-quality and customer-support are like, I might be going back to gasoline-powered motorcycles soon. I never had an internal-combustion engine go kaput after just 4,000 miles.

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T.S. Zarathustra

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Re: ~ Anybody know how to fix a "2,1" error code? ~
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2024, 02:42:30 PM »

It might only have made 4000 miles but it has made eight years. There is a thing called "calendar aging" which adds to wear and tear.
Unfortunately many Zero owners are left with the reality of no local dealer. When things go wrong it can cause issues.
Have you tried contacting your nearest dealer with this issue? Dealers here offer pickup and delivery service for a fair price. He might even be able to help you remotely.
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