Garmin Vector 2S Can't Connect

I recently purchased a used set of Vector 2S's. My plan was to setup zwift on my spin bike. I was able to pair the pedals the first day I got them (this week), did 1 quick ride and it sat for the next few days. One thing that was interesting was that it did not pair on the very first try. I pulled the plug out and reseated and then it paired no problem.

I decided to take the axles out to re-grease since there was some slight slop today. I re-installed everything and not cannot connect.

Here is what I have tried so far:

LED blinks twice every 10 seconds.

1. New batteries

2. Took apart the spindle again just in case I screwed something up.

3. Rotate the pod slightly (thinking maybe there was some weird contact point between the pins and the pedal axle).

4. Tried ANT+ on two different laptops and my Garmin 820

5. Tried cleaning the pins on the connector cable with rubbing alcohol and examined them carefully.

6.Reseated the connector many many times.

Anyway, pretty bummed - seems like the only complex part on this thing is the POD. Are these known to fail frequently? I have 2 other stages power meter, so this is my first pedal based power meter.

Open to any ideas before I fork over more money.....

0 3233492 over 3 years ago in reply to aweatherall

So I was able to find two vector s pods (silver ones). I am able to pair to both my Garmin 820 and zwift dongle now. However, I can't seem to get any power output ( tried spinning at 90 Rpm).

I then decided to try Garmin vector updater app and got the message "pods not compatible with pedals" must be same generation or later. Does that mean vector pods do not work with vector 2 pedals?

0 aweatherall over 3 years ago in reply to 3233492

You cannot use those with those pods with Vector 2. Not only are they not compatible, but they could damage the spindles.

0 3233492 over 3 years ago in reply to aweatherall

Ah, figured they were the same since dcrainmakers site mentioned newer pods only had a led difference and basically the same. Curious what are the differences which could potentially damage the spindles?

0 aweatherall over 3 years ago in reply to 3233492

They use a different mounting process. The Vector 2 pods wrap around the spindle after the spindle is installed the the Vector 1 pods are clamped between the spindle and the crank. The Vector 1 spindles have a special recess to take the pod that that the Vector 2 spindles do not. This is why the Vector 1 to Vector 2 upgrade kit included a special washer to go over the Vector 1 spindles.

0 3233492 over 3 years ago in reply to aweatherall

Ah ok, that makes sense. I thought I could just screw the vector 2 pedals in (seemed like it was holding fine). Interesting that the pods were able to detect that it had a newer gen pedal install. Figure the strain garage pieces were identical between the vector and vector 2 pedals.

0 aweatherall over 3 years ago in reply to 3233492

The Vector 2 hardware has a different product identifier in the firmware than Vector 1.

0 3233492 over 3 years ago in reply to aweatherall

Got it...thanks for the info. Just placed a order for a large vector 2 pod.