PM5 Staying On

[HornetMaX]

Try is checking the cable connection to ensure it's secure and not loose. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause the monitor to stay on when it's not supposed to. If everything seems tight, you might want to reach out to Concept again and let them know you've tried the replacement but are still having issues. They might have some additional troubleshooting steps or be able to offer further assistance.

Also, have you tried updating the firmware on the PM5? Sometimes, a software update can fix bugs or glitches that might be causing the monitor to stay on. You can easily update the firmware by connecting the PM5 to a computer with a USB cable and following the instructions on the Concept2 website.

Firmware is latest (215 for my version of RowErg). I can check the sensor cable (next time it happens).

One thing I noticed: when it turns ON spontaneously, sometimes there's the Bluetooth icon in the top right corner of the display. Sometimes, not all the times (which is double weird).

[HornetMaX]

Damn, lately the problem (PM5 turning ON by itself after I switch it OFF, then it cycles OFF after 1min, ON after 10 secs, ON after 1min etc) is happening almost after every session. I tried everything (new batteries, switch all other BT devices off, switch PM5 off by holding Menu button, even pull batteries off for a few minutes/1 hour and then put them back on). Nothing works reliably.

I've contacted c2 support.

[HornetMaX]

Just for general info: c2 support replied super quickly and suggested, when the PM5 doesn't want to stay off, to take the batteries out and leave them out overnight, triggering a "hard reset of the monitor".

I did it and it seems to work: once I put the batteries back in, the PM5 behaviour was back to normal (stay off when I switch it off, stay off when it goes off by itself). 3 days (2 with working sessions) and no problem up to now.

[HornetMaX]

Damn, problem is back again. Did a session and after that the PM5 started switching ON by itself again.
Pulling the batteries out for 35min did the trick but yeah, it's a bit annoying.
Going to contact c2 support again.

BTW: I have the problem on a RowErg (just realized this thread is in the BikeErg section), but probably it doesn't matter. I do not have the problem on my SkiErg.

[HornetMaX]

So C2 support run out of ideas, nothing else to try, PM5 likely faulty.
I contacted my local dealer and they propose to mail the PM5 in to diagnose ("check if the board is oxidized").

I'm tempted to keep it as it is and bear with the annoyance (taking the batteries off when it misbehave) and see what happens.
New PM5 is ugly expensive here (234Euros) compared to its price in the US (160$).

[HornetMaX]

As a last resort before calling the issue "unsolvable", I tried a factory reset of the PM5: no joy, worked for a couple of days then the problem came back.

So I guess I'm stuck with it, and will have to pull the batteries out for some time when the problem happens, as this solves it temporarily (without resetting lifetime meters, which the factory reset does), or go for a diagnostic & repair (which may lead to replacement) or straight replacement.

[alien878]

Not sure if this is related, but on the iPhone I have to “kill” ErgData and/or ergzone when I’m done. Even in the background with no workout running, they will keep the PM on and even power it immediately back on if I turn it off.

[HornetMaX]

Not sure if this is related, but on the iPhone I have to “kill” ErgData and/or ergzone when I’m done. Even in the background with no workout running, they will keep the PM on and even power it immediately back on if I turn it off.

Hmm interesting. I'm on android (13) and once I'm done with my sessions I do exit/kill ErgData/ErgZone, as in "press the square tray button to see the active apps, and swipe away ErgData/ErgZone".

But I don't know if this amounts to "kill it for good" or not, and I suspect that's not the case: I just started ErgZone, then "killed" it as explained above, then went in Settings/All apps and clicking on ErgZone I had a "Force stop" button: once I pressed it the "Force stop" became grayed-out. So maybe now ErgZone is really dead. Same for ErgaData: I used it 2 hours ago, "killed" it as above, but the "Force stop" button is available.

One more thing to try ...

However, I also own a SkiErg and on it i don't have the problem at all.

[HornetMaX]

Quick update: waited for the issue to appear again (took 2-4 days), then tried to hard kill ErgData & ErgZone but the problem on the PM5 stays.

Almost certainly an hardware issue, little hope a repair attempt is worth (shipping cost, diagnostic diagnostic and outcome may be "you have to change it" anyway).

I'll try to live with the issue (take the batteries out when it happens, wait 2 hours, put them back in and reset the date & time).

[TheDoomSlayer176]

Quick update: waited for the issue to appear again (took 2-4 days), then tried to hard kill ErgData & ErgZone but the problem on the PM5 stays.

Almost certainly an hardware issue, little hope a repair attempt is worth (shipping cost, diagnostic diagnostic and outcome may be "you have to change it" anyway).

I'll try to live with the issue (take the batteries out when it happens, wait 2 hours, put them back in and reset the date & time).

Been facing the exact same issue you've been facing on my RowErg (I have all three machines but it's only the PM5 on the RowErg that's causing issues). Tried every fix mentioned in this thread but nothing works. Just emailed C2. Hoping I have better luck than you.

[HornetMaX]

Minor update: the problem has been less and less frequent with the temperature in the garage going down (from high 30C, to mid 20C), and at the moment I'm around 20C and I hadn't had the issue in 2-3 weeks at least. Guess I'll have to wait next summer to see if it's really correlated to temperature.