Di2 shifters not recognized
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
11 Posts
Di2 shifters not recognized
Both shifters on my Di2 just stopped working tonight. Neither shifts, the top buttons don't change my Garmin screens like they used to, and neither E-tube mobile app or the Windows based E-tube recognize the shifters.
I have it on my trainer and have been loosening the shifters to align them a little since the left one was a little lower, but only moved it up a few mm.
On the inside of each shifter under the really hard to pull up rubber boots there are 2 wires on the right shifter and one on the left, plus a dummy plug on the left. I made sure those were all the way in with the little tool Shimano includes.
Are there maybe other wires I'm not aware of? Do I need to take the shifters completely off, if so how I do that (unwrap handlebar tape?!)
Please help, I'm lost!!

The only 2 wires I see (right shifter)

E-tube doesn't recognize either shifter.
I have it on my trainer and have been loosening the shifters to align them a little since the left one was a little lower, but only moved it up a few mm.
On the inside of each shifter under the really hard to pull up rubber boots there are 2 wires on the right shifter and one on the left, plus a dummy plug on the left. I made sure those were all the way in with the little tool Shimano includes.
Are there maybe other wires I'm not aware of? Do I need to take the shifters completely off, if so how I do that (unwrap handlebar tape?!)
Please help, I'm lost!!

The only 2 wires I see (right shifter)

E-tube doesn't recognize either shifter.
Last edited by scutchin; 01-13-23 at 08:46 PM. Reason: Added images
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,165
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2745 Post(s)
Liked 1,477 Times
in
858 Posts
Both shifters on my Di2 just stopped working tonight. Neither shifts, the top buttons don't change my Garmin screens like they used to, and neither E-tube mobile app or the Windows based E-tube recognize the shifters.
I have it on my trainer and have been loosening the shifters to align them a little since the left one was a little lower, but only moved it up a few mm.
On the inside of each shifter under the really hard to pull up rubber boots there are 2 wires on the right shifter and one on the left, plus a dummy plug on the left. I made sure those were all the way in with the little tool Shimano includes.
Are there maybe other wires I'm not aware of? Do I need to take the shifters completely off, if so how I do that (unwrap handlebar tape?!)
Please help, I'm lost!!

The only 2 wires I see (right shifter)

E-tube doesn't recognize either shifter.
I have it on my trainer and have been loosening the shifters to align them a little since the left one was a little lower, but only moved it up a few mm.
On the inside of each shifter under the really hard to pull up rubber boots there are 2 wires on the right shifter and one on the left, plus a dummy plug on the left. I made sure those were all the way in with the little tool Shimano includes.
Are there maybe other wires I'm not aware of? Do I need to take the shifters completely off, if so how I do that (unwrap handlebar tape?!)
Please help, I'm lost!!

The only 2 wires I see (right shifter)

E-tube doesn't recognize either shifter.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
11 Posts
BOOM!! That was it, thank you so much for noticing!!
I tried using the little Shimano tool to press them on the way on, but I guess it just couldn't push hard enough. I ended up using needle nose pliers, I could hear the "click". They messed up the outside of the housing a little, but they work so I can't complain.
Thanks again!
AFTER:
I tried using the little Shimano tool to press them on the way on, but I guess it just couldn't push hard enough. I ended up using needle nose pliers, I could hear the "click". They messed up the outside of the housing a little, but they work so I can't complain.
Thanks again!
AFTER:

Likes For scutchin:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,165
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2745 Post(s)
Liked 1,477 Times
in
858 Posts
Yes, I can see it would be hard to get the Shimano tool in there unless you pealed back the bar tape.
#5
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,489
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1429 Post(s)
Liked 2,113 Times
in
1,148 Posts
I've had more consistent luck snapping them in by pushing with a fingernail than that plastic tool. That way you can feel the click, even if you can't hear it.
I was going to suggest pulling all of the shifter wires out, and re-seating them, but am glad to hear it was much simpler.
I was going to suggest pulling all of the shifter wires out, and re-seating them, but am glad to hear it was much simpler.
#6
Di2 fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 134
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Liked 57 Times
in
36 Posts
Next time you take the handlebar tape off, make sure there is a little excess wire at the shifter. That'll prevent you from pulling the wires loose by accident ;-)

#7
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 225
Bikes: 2013 Wilier Gran Turismo, 1983 Trek 760, 80's Colnago Super, 90's De Rosa SLX, 2009 Waterford 22 Series Singlespeed, 85 Medici Pro Strada, De Rosa Alumino frameset, Dave Molten Fuso frameset, 70's beater Peugeot PX10
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 112 Post(s)
Liked 171 Times
in
78 Posts
Yes! I’ve learned the hard way. On a group ride as we were beginning a climb my FD stopped working. I didn’t have enough slack on the cable and the connector came undone. When I got home I plugged it back in but the following week or so it happened again! I finally unwrapped my bar tape and gave the cable more slack before rewrapping the bar tape.
Likes For momoman:
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
11 Posts
Great idea! I little disappointed that Specialized had zero slack in the wires. I wasn't even moving them to adjust, one was a little lower so I was just realligning it a couple of mm. Maybe I should have riased one instead of lowering the other, but still a couple of mm shouldn't have been enough to pull the wire.