Anyone ever repair a Quarq? [8/18/17 Update]

[kppolich]

Issue: Connects for 10 seconds to 10 minutes then drops signal and won't reconnect. I have tried cleaning battery contacts and leaving battery out overnight and it keeps dropping. It stopped working corectly after I replaced the battery 3 weeks ago

Where to start?
Looks like the same issues as these people (below) were having except mine is out of warranty too far and they won't repair it. Any idea of where to start with a volt meter inside the power meter brain/battery area?

Other similar stories.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjcppXyoNrVAhVD04MKHdYKD8kQFgg7MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftailwind-coaching.com%2F2013%2F04%2F19%2Fquarq-warranty-experience-part-deux%2F&usg=AFQjCNGnFOGG4Em9VTXTxrX4TPvpYy6t7A

and

http://www.bikeforums.net/...ustomer-service.html

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4380/35955897100_ccef8d816e_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4411/36352735825_ffe3059433_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/35955891460_af3279cc7a_c.jpg

[54ny77]

Only if I have some spare time inside a linear accelerator.

:hello:

[Bruce K]

I think I remember something about reversing the battery to reboot it but please confirm this before trying it.

Have you tried calling & talking to the folks at Quark? They used to be really good at support.

BK

[kppolich]

I've tried the hard reset with the battery sides touching both the battery leads and side of the case. Worked for 10 seconds and back to its old tricks. I've called and talked to them, sent the power meter in and they said they can't repair it. They don't have any other 3 bolt (attaches spider to crank arm) models available for replacement and that I would need to buy a new unit from them. Bought here on the classified and has worked great for ~2000 miles this year and then I changed the battery and now this. Sigh

[yashcha]

I've tried the hard reset with the battery sides touching both the battery leads and side of the case. Worked for 10 seconds and back to its old tricks. I've called and talked to them, sent the power meter in and they said they can't repair it. They don't have any other 3 bolt (attaches spider to crank arm) models available for replacement and that I would need to buy a new unit from them. Bought here on the classified and has worked great for ~2000 miles this year and then I changed the battery and now this. Sigh

I had the same problem, same model as yours. It died a month after the warranty expired, and Quarq told me it was not repairable. They did offer to sell me another model for $500, which was generous. If anyone has actually been able to fix this, I would love to hear about it as well. right now it is a $1,500 paperweight. Mine would drain the battery very quickly, and also give really high power measurements, which was awesome on Zwift.

[kppolich]

***8/18/17 Update***

Received the unit back from Quarq today, decided to take a peak at the superficial connections without taking the QPod apart. Cleaned out a bunch of corrosion and re-soldered a few places around the batter connection and the board as well as straightened the positive battery terminal out a little bit. I also used some caulk to fill the crack and made sure to not over tighten the small allen on the back when putting git back together. Good news! It's working and has been connected for 25 minutes without issue. Bad News! Haven't ridden it outside yet. PICS


This is the quarq guys said was the likely cause of the issue. Crack on the back of the qpod
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4424/35826818644_6cb852e1ca_c.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/35852226423_8631882eea_c.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/36265431220_be36b33abe_c.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4396/36265429310_82933e6de0_c.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4384/36265422930_db2f3fc744_c.jpg
Cleaned out a ton of gunk around these pins, ALOT
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4414/36265422280_62297f3d8a_c.jpg
Solder fixed and cleaned up with Isopropyl
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4404/36492173662_23267eb1d6_c.jpg
On and functional for now
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4371/35826826384_34ea9a4ea7_c.jpg

[rockdude]

Keep us update and how plays out.

[yashcha]

How are the nunbers looking? After I did a similar full cleaning, the quarq started reading again, but my numbers seemed to be way high, like 2000 watts for a sprint(1,300 is more accurate for my max).

[kppolich]

Calibration numbers on the Garmin look as they did before. I'm taking it out today for a nice little ride so I'll follow up shortly.

[kppolich]

How are the nunbers looking? After I did a similar full cleaning, the quarq started reading again, but my numbers seemed to be way high, like 2000 watts for a sprint(1,300 is more accurate for my max).

numbers were spot on after a muddy single track ride today. No issues for now
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/36551685812_52171afa26_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/36582462291_e2ee4b36cc_c.jpg

[yashcha]

numbers were spot on after a muddy single track ride today. No issues for now
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/36551685812_52171afa26_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/36582462291_e2ee4b36cc_c.jpg

That is very very cool. I have to check my numbers again against my Stages after I disassembled, cleaned, and fixed the contact points yesterday.

[kppolich]

And after a very bumpy cx ride it dropped at 55:XX out of 1 hour ride. Ugh

[kramnnim]

Dropped out and stayed out?

[kppolich]

Dropped out and stayed out for the remainder of the ride. Got home, popped the battery out and inspected everything and re-installed it. Fired right back up but dropped out again today after 15 mins.

[yashcha]

Were you able to get this unit back up and running again?

[kppolich]

It has not been back in action since the last post. I've tried the same cleaning and such with no success. Might try a new battery tonight, but the outlook is grim.