Post here your Stark Varg issues (or not!)

[brongle]

Does anyone have experience with the check engine icon on the Stark Varg EX? I received a brand new Stark Varg EX a month ago, it had the engine icon error from day one. At this point, it is just expensive garage art. Customer support from Stark Future has been lacking to put it lightly. 24-48 hour wait between replies. We had a video meeting, collected data, and sent me a replacement throttle, which did nothing. I am feeling hopeless at this point. Can anyone point me in the right direction because their support clearly cannot.

All updates have been made to the phone and bike. I did a hard reset (CAN bus connector) with the bike. Checked connectors. Recharged the bike.

View attachment 14516

Sadly the icon is displayed by the VCU for a generic fault condition, internally they just condsider it a "malfuction indicator lamp". I'm guessing since Stark sent out a new throttle they've narrowed it down to incorrect throttle position readings. Next steps might just be a VCU swap or perhaps a swap of the front connector hub, but either way you'll be at the mercy of Stark support.

 

[taylor.w]

Sadly the icon is displayed by the VCU for a generic fault condition, internally they just condsider it a "malfuction indicator lamp". I'm guessing since Stark sent out a new throttle they've narrowed it down to incorrect throttle position readings. Next steps might just be a VCU swap or perhaps a swap of the front connector hub, but either way you'll be at the mercy of Stark support.

Thank you for the reply. I figured this was going to be the case. Just sad that a brand new bike is non-operational and there is probably a month more of trouble shooting before I can use this paperweight.

 

[drehwurm68]

Can anyone point me in the right direction because their support clearly cannot.

The EX has an OBDII port which you can access with a reader. It might give you some better information and fault codes can be cleared, but honestly I don't think it will give you more possibilities than the support has. Nevertheless if you want to keep yourself occupied while waiting for responses and learn some about the bike this might be an option.

Your EX should have come with an adapter cable from the small, round, 6pin Higo connector to a red 6pin Euro5 OBDII connector. This will connect to the bike behind the right shroud on the frame. You'll also need one of those OBDII dongles (I use an ELM 327 compatible one) plus software for your phone and a "OBD to Euro5" adapter. Google should have all the info you need.

Michael

 

[taylor.w]

The EX has an OBDII port which you can access with a reader. It might give you some better information and fault codes can be cleared, but honestly I don't think it will give you more possibilities than the support has. Nevertheless if you want to keep yourself occupied while waiting for responses and learn some about the bike this might be an option.

Your EX should have come with an adapter cable from the small, round, 6pin Higo connector to a red 6pin Euro5 OBDII connector. This will connect to the bike behind the right shroud on the frame. You'll also need one of those OBDII dongles (I use an ELM 327 compatible one) plus software for your phone and a "OBD to Euro5" adapter. Google should have all the info you need.

Michael

Thank you! That is extremely helpful! This makes me wonder if any aftermarket company like ebmx is working on an aftermarket controller for Varg bikes. I really hope we can have better control over repair and diagnostics in the future.

 

[drehwurm68]

I really hope we can have better control over repair and diagnostics in the future.

I think we already have good examples from the automotive world or ICE bikes that manufacturers are/have to be very cautious because of liability reasons and so the aftermarket has to step in with all the consequences (broken warranties, broken vehicles ;-) this has. IMO Stark went pretty far already with letting customers change batteries, drive trains and such - seems to have stopped by now though. Nevertheless I agree, Stark should have implemented a better fault management/information system because it is like it is - mistakes and failures do happen!

Michael

 

[rs911]

So many issues ? Are you serious ?
It's probably the least significant issue I've seen so far, and I believe it is 100% dealer-related.
They can't even install brake switches properly...


I have some news about my red light issue, probably due to a faulty drivetrain.

Varg ex red light

I don't think that's necessarily true. It's a new company with a brand new type of product, I signed up for it knowing there will be growing pains. As long as they can deliver me a correctly working bike, I'm thrilled with it. If not, that's another story, but I'm giving them the benefit of...

electricdirtriders.com

The asked me to :

I did it, and everything was fine. They asked me to book a troubleshooting session, which is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. local time.

I contacted them several times, and they always answered quickly. They took a bit longer to respond to this issue, but not by much.
First contact on Sunday 17 => Aug 19, 12:25 => I replied on August 20 at 12:38. => Aug 21, 11:57

Conclusion of the session :

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. As discussed, the powertrain on your VARG will need to be replaced because the position sensor in the electric motor is faulty.

Please note that, as of July, powertrain and battery replacements must be carried out by an authorized dealer due to updated safety regulations.

The Stark tech guy was very nice by the way
I asked him to confirm that Stark is responsible for the labor costs, and he confirmed it.

 

[Slidinsidewayz]

Have you reached out to Stark with that info? Asked them to confirm if they are or are not paying dealerships for warranty work? If they are not, maybe ask them what other solution there is for your bike since dealership won't release bike of not paid for labor?

At the moment dealer and stark are supposedly communicating about what I’m not tied to their emails so I can’t see what’s being said and done but stark has commited to paying the labor and obviously cover parts under warranty I I have that in their email sent to me and I sent to dealer so they understand they will be paid for their labor. Now it’s seem it’s just a waiting game to see if they order the parts so we can move forward to get this done. As I was typing dealer called said they ordered the drive train but refuse to order a battery that stark specifically mailed me and them and told them to order. They refuse and said stark won’t let them order a power train and battery at same time and if they need to they will order if needed after powertrain install! Which is nuts I believe the batter may have a bad cell also since this all happened after a full charge and Interrupted update. So dealer is the one playing the games dealer reiterated and said stark wants them to pull a new battery from one of the new bikes in the floor the dealer refused and said they wit be able to sell it if they do that! So dealer is the one playing the games not stark in fact!!!

 

[Slidinsidewayz]

He is the email stark sent me confirming telling me and the dealer to order new battery!