RT Electrical gone wacky

Had not riden in a few days.... got the RT out, rode to the front yard where I gave her bath (while listening to some tunes).....when I got ready to ride off in the sunset she will not crank. I'm thinking I just drained the battery, but it's been on the tender for a few hours now and still nothing. Well not exactly...that's the wacky part. When I insert the key and turn, all the gages and dash lights start flashing and a jumpin'. Once I it the start....everything goes dark.

Please someone tell me all will be alright by morning (leaving it on the tender).

it will be all right in the morning if you leave it on the tender and get everything dry (I Hope) go buy a battery operated radio or a long extension cord so you can listen to tunes on something other than your spyder while washing it.

Cruzr Joe

I bet it will be OK in the morning. I found it doesn't take much to drain the battery enough for it to go into seizures.

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Originally Posted by shelbydave

I bet it will be OK in the morning. I found it doesn't take much to drain the battery enough for it to go into seizures.

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so the "seizure" activity of the gauges & lights is somewhat normal for a drained battery? OK, this makes me feel a little better, we'll see where things are tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by 2Gunns

so the "seizure" activity of the gauges & lights is somewhat normal for a drained battery? OK, this makes me feel a little better, we'll see where things are tomorrow.

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Similar thing happened to me when I was trying to find line out connections from the radio to hook into the Chatterbox. I thought I shorted something, and fried it. The idiot lights were flashing, Gauges were all over the place. Now I always have the battery tender on it, and keep it on when working on or testing the electrical mods.

The wire sometimes gets in the way, but that feeling I had when I thought it was toasted.... my gut was twisted, and we were scheduled to leave for the Alzheimers ride the next day.. I was sick.

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Originally Posted by shelbydave

I bet it will be OK in the morning. I found it doesn't take much to drain the battery enough for it to go into seizures.

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Originally Posted by 2Gunns

so the "seizure" activity of the gauges & lights is somewhat normal for a drained battery? OK, this makes me feel a little better, we'll see where things are tomorrow.

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:agree: when my battery on my old RS dumped on me the screen went into seizure mode.

Might not be related, but make sure your kill switch is on. Last time I gave 52 a bath I turned off the kill switch without knowing it. Dang near freaked out when it would not start.

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Originally Posted by Blue Star

Might not be related, but make sure your kill switch is on. Last time I gave 52 a bath I turned off the kill switch without knowing it. Dang near freaked out when it would not start.

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I always shut mine down with the kill switch. It's the first thing I turn off, and last thing I turn on before starting.

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Originally Posted by shelbydave

I always shut mine down with the kill switch. It's the first thing I turn off, and last thing I turn on before starting.

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I have never used the kill switch on any of my motorcycles in the past. Isn't that what a key is for?

When I took the MSF safety class they taught us to use the kill switch to turn off the motorcycle. That's what I still do.

Tony


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

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Originally Posted by Ex-Rocket

I have never used the kill switch on any of my motorcycles in the past. Isn't that what a key is for?

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It is good practice to learn to use the kill switch instinctively. If an emergency arises, you can turn off the vehicle qickly, without removing your hands from the handlebars. It is taught in motorcycle safety classes, required to be able to do quickly blindfolded to obtain a competition driver's license, and stressed in virtually every motorcycle owners manual. Do what you wish, but please don't encourage bad habits for others.

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Originally Posted by NancysToy

It is good practice to learn to use the kill switch instinctively. If an emergency arises, you can turn off the vehicle qickly, without removing your hands from the handlebars. It is taught in motorcycle safety classes, required to be able to do quickly blindfolded to obtain a competition driver's license, and stressed in virtually every motorcycle owners manual. Do what you wish, but please don't encourage bad habits for others.

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Well I guess I will start a new way to turn off my bike then. Makes sense, but I do not know that turning off the motor would be the first thing I think of doing in an emergency. I am sure there is a reason for this, and I hope to never have to find out way.

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Originally Posted by Blue Star

Well I guess I will start a new way to turn off my bike then. Makes sense, but I do not know that turning off the motor would be the first thing I think of doing in an emergency. I am sure there is a reason for this, and I hope to never have to find out way.

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Lots of good reasons.....none of them good scenarios. Less important as in the old days, but there are still plenty of valid reasons to have to do it in an emergency...like a clutch disengagement failure, steering failure, runaway throttle, or electrical fire. Glad you are willing to learn to do it right.

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Originally Posted by NancysToy

Lots of good reasons.....none of them good scenarios. Less important as in the old days, but there are still plenty of valid reasons to have to do it in an emergency...like a clutch disengagement failure, steering failure, runaway throttle, or electrical fire. Glad you are willing to learn to do it right.

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Of course I might not want to use the kill switch for a runaway throttle.

Me: I could not help driving so fast, as my throttle was stuck.
Officer/Judge: Why did you not use the kill switch? :lecturef_smilie:
Me: Whats that? :dontknow:

I think I got it from the DVD you get with the Spyder. (Yes, I watched the DVD...). Anyhow, it just became a habit.Also, with the key on, and the kill switch on, I hear a whine that sounds a lot like a fuel pump running. In my car, it runs for a few seconds, then shuts down, but on the Spyder, it doesn't seem to shut off after time. I haven't left it on too long to find out if it would or not, I assumed that with motorcycles, it just constantly ran... I didn't like that, as I usually turn the key on, let it boot, then hit the mode switch whil I'm putting on my helmet, and gloves. Then when we're on the bike, I hit the kill switch, and starter... Just a habit I started, as this is my first motorcycle...or whatever it is, in 30 some odd years.

I teach the MSF class and we always teach students to shut down their engines using the engine cut off switch (we don't use the word "kill"--kind of a scary word to use when teaching new students how to ride!!! )LOL

So I'm waiting to hear some good news... :bbq::bbq::bbq:

Me too! :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

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Originally Posted by Blue Star

Of course I might not want to use the kill switch for a runaway throttle.

Me: I could not help driving so fast, as my throttle was stuck.
Officer/Judge: Why did you not use the kill switch? :lecturef_smilie:
Me: Whats that? :dontknow:

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Originally Posted by Bob Denman

So I'm waiting to hear some good news... :bbq::bbq::bbq:

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Originally Posted by akspyderman

Me too! :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

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The officer let me slide on the ticket.