My Spyder let me down today

[Ramg66]

Went to post office and when I came out the parking brake would not release, I have almost 4000 miles and it has been flawless till today. I did do something different but I don't think it caused it but now sure, I turned key and before pressing the eco button I released brake (Don't ask me why), I noticed it didn't release it, I then started it and it was stuck, every time I turned off it would beep at me like I didn't press the brake before turning off. I turned back on and it would be blinking, press brake button and it would turn solid and keep doing this over and over. Dealer had me press brake by foot and try but nothing, my dealer drove over and took brake off and took my bike to dealership. Bummed bigtime, I now know how to release it but have to wait to see what is stuck, maybe relay?

[UtahPete]

Went to post office and when I came out the parking brake would not release, I have almost 4000 miles and it has been flawless till today. I did do something different but I don't think it caused it but now sure, I turned key and before pressing the eco button I released brake (Don't ask me why), I noticed it didn't release it, I then started it and it was stuck, every time I turned off it would beep at me like I didn't press the brake before turning off. I turned back on and it would be blinking, press brake button and it would turn solid and keep doing this over and over. Dealer had me press brake by foot and try but nothing, my dealer drove over and took brake off and took my bike to dealership. Bummed bigtime, I now know how to release it but have to wait to see what is stuck, maybe relay?

I do that most of the time and it hasn't caused any problems for either of my 2014RTLs (knock on wood). I can't imagine the sequence of releasing the parking brake is likely to create a problem with the electronics, but I could be wrong.

BTW, in case it happens to me, how do you release the parking brake when the switch won't do it?

[Ramg66]

Right side of the rear wheel, just undo the bolt with the brake cable and take off. You can ride it like this but have to put up with annoying beeps for a few seconds when staring and turning off.

[MSa1956]

Try, disconnecting the battery and hooking it back up. Might have to reset the logic in the computer.

[Ramg66]

I was going to do that, dealer told me not to. It made sense to me because the brake is electronic, but they came and picked it up and its at the dealership now. I was pretty impressed they came and picked it up though.

[Chupaca]

But Wow..!! Great dealer..could suggest but now that they have it let us know what they find...

[timeless]

and discovered the rear cable pivot had stuck in the brake applied position. It was stuck from dirt & grime, a little WD40 and hand movement got it working again.

• 
  

I now pay more attention to cleaning & lubing that area.

Went to post office and when I came out the parking brake would not release, I have almost 4000 miles and it has been flawless till today. I did do something different but I don't think it caused it but now sure, I turned key and before pressing the eco button I released brake (Don't ask me why), I noticed it didn't release it, I then started it and it was stuck, every time I turned off it would beep at me like I didn't press the brake before turning off. I turned back on and it would be blinking, press brake button and it would turn solid and keep doing this over and over. Dealer had me press brake by foot and try but nothing, my dealer drove over and took brake off and took my bike to dealership. Bummed bigtime, I now know how to release it but have to wait to see what is stuck, maybe relay?

[Ramg66]

I talked to the dealer yesterday, didn't have time to post. They tell me the motor that engages the brake and releases it went out. They have ordered one and hope to have my Spyder to me in time for my Trike training. Thanks everyone for all the good advice. Ride ON!!

[RinconRyder]

I talked to the dealer yesterday, didn't have time to post. They tell me the motor that engages the brake and releases it went out. They have ordered one and hope to have my Spyder to me in time for my Trike training. Thanks everyone for all the good advice. Ride ON!!

This is a perfect example of how over-engineered this trike is. A simple manual cable with a switch would be a better solution. A 'park' lock position in the transmission would be more elegant as well. This motor adds cost, weight and complexity to a very simple purpose. You would think these trikes were engineered by old, British designers.

[HayRog]

This is a perfect example of how over-engineered this trike is. A simple manual cable with a switch would be a better solution. A 'park' lock position in the transmission would be more elegant as well. This motor adds cost, weight and complexity to a very simple purpose. You would think these trikes were engineered by old, British designers.

Well said !
Even though I'm British

[Pirate looks at --]

This is a perfect example of how over-engineered this trike is. A simple manual cable with a switch would be a better solution. A 'park' lock position in the transmission would be more elegant as well. This motor adds cost, weight and complexity to a very simple purpose. You would think these trikes were engineered by old, British designers.

vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpgAs near as I can tell, none of the designers are British. Most of them are Canadian and all of the other countries of origin are marked with the appopriate country flag. The guy in the middle is the guy who thunk up the Spyder in the first place!

[UtahPete]

This is a perfect example of how over-engineered this trike is. A simple manual cable with a switch would be a better solution. A 'park' lock position in the transmission would be more elegant as well. This motor adds cost, weight and complexity to a very simple purpose. You would think these trikes were engineered by old, British designers.

You mean the ones that brought us the WWII Spitfire, the Rolls Royce Phaeton, etc, etc?

I don't agree with you, and it's not just because I'm British. But, you are entitled to your opinion, as ill-considered as it might be.

[RinconRyder]

You mean the ones that brought us the WWII Spitfire, the Rolls Royce Phaeton, etc, etc?

No. I mean the ones who brought us Triumph, MG, Jensen, Hillman, Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Land Rover and a whole host of British marque motorcycles which those of us who rode still have gasoline smell on our legs and feet - and none of this to mention that Lord of Darkness line of gauges and controls whose headlights always seemed to fail in the middle of a corner.

Of course, the Brits were eventually outdone by the Germans who took maintenance to new levels of greatness and still maintain it today.

[WilderThomas]

Went to post office and when I came out the parking brake would not release, I have almost 4000 miles and it has been flawless till today. I did do something different but I don't think it caused it but now sure, I turned key and before pressing the eco button I released brake (Don't ask me why), I noticed it didn't release it, I then started it and it was stuck, every time I turned off it would beep at me like I didn't press the brake before turning off. I turned back on and it would be blinking, press brake button and it would turn solid and keep doing this over and over. Dealer had me press brake by foot and try but nothing, my dealer drove over and took brake off and took my bike to dealership. Bummed bigtime, I now know how to release it but have to wait to see what is stuck, maybe relay?

Years ago, my uncle made a comment about new cars being solely dependent on a strange, little black box now found under their hoods. No more distributor caps, points, or anything connected with them. Unfortunately, if the black box failed out in the middle of nowhere, you were left stranded. Not many service stations, back when they still offered service, had a replacement black box in stock. Rather like a parking brake switch that won't function as it should. Not many bike shops are going to have replacement relays, or switches. And while, a Spyder can still be ridden, hopefully not far, the operator knows that the parking brake is still engaged, and the beeping noise can be irritating.

[Lew L]

Lucas electrics ( not electronics ). This is the reason the British used to drink warm beer. Lucas made refrigerators.

Warm beer causes-----------Kaos

[RinconRyder]

Lucas electrics ( not electronics ). This is the reason the British used to drink warm beer. Lucas made refrigerators.

Warm beer causes-----------Kaos

Slightly off topic but as a public service.....

The Brits do not drink "warm" beer. It is, by their standards, room temperature which, by our standards is "cool", not cold.

US domestic beer tends to be highly carbonated whilst British beers are not so they do not need to be as cold as ours.

British beer also tends to have a higher alcoholic content than ours. Not sure how that affects the temperature but you don't seem to care as much.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.......

[Lew L]

Well EXCUUUUUUSE me.--------The joker is my symbol for a bit of sarcasm. A little of it is usually tolerated here.

Not being much of a beer drinker, I must be allowed the difference between unrefrigerated brew and a room temperature brew. I prefer a good bourbon or whiskey on the rocks.


Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.......



Kaos

[DesertRider]

Went to post office and when I came out the parking brake would not release, I have almost 4000 miles and it has been flawless till today. I did do something different but I don't think it caused it but now sure, I turned key and before pressing the eco button I released brake (Don't ask me why), I noticed it didn't release it, I then started it and it was stuck, every time I turned off it would beep at me like I didn't press the brake before turning off. I turned back on and it would be blinking, press brake button and it would turn solid and keep doing this over and over. Dealer had me press brake by foot and try but nothing, my dealer drove over and took brake off and took my bike to dealership. Bummed bigtime, I now know how to release it but have to wait to see what is stuck, maybe relay?

I have 4200 miles on my 17 RT Ltd and I have had the brake lock up twice. The dealer has replaced the switch once, but that's not it. The brakes locks on set and won't go off, or the red light stays solid red and the brake is off or the park won't set at all and just beeps. I have posted on here under "Parking Brake Issues". Let me know if you get a resolve. Can Am BRP says they have not had any of these issues yet, so the techs don't know what causes it.

[Ramg66]

It ended up being the motor between the switch and the brake, it engages it and disengages it. Working fine now.