Big Hickups after 600 mi. Service

[Studybaker Bob]

howdy ya-all! Well, I've had my new 2008 silver & black se5 Spyder a little over a week. We took it in for the 600 mile service and to have some of the accessories installed on Tuesday, 5-26-09. On 5-28-09 we got to the dealer just before closing time of 7p.m. to pick up the Spyder. The young mechanic that had been working on it for 2 days had to leave so another mechanic had to finish it and bring it out. Today, 5-29-09 when I went to back it out of the garage, I hit the starter button and nothing! So I fooled with all the buttons & switches, footbrake, park brake, hit the high/low beam, pulled the key in & out & even tooted the horn several times, & then it started right up! I got ready to go show the Spyder to my friend across town, bs'd with him awhile, got ready to leave, hit the starter button and nothing! I fooled around with everything again, hit the starter button & she started right up! Figured I better take it back to the dealer & have them check it out. The service guy said he was busy & couldn't get to it until next week & I could leave it if I wanted to. I told him I live 50 mi. away! So he decided to check it out & he hit the starter button & nothing! He was trying to get it started when the young mechanic that had done the service & installed fog light, 12 volt cigarette lighter & a few other accessories walked by the service writer asked him what he thought & he just shruged his shoulders & said he don't know. Then the darn thing started right up 6-8 times in a row! I was headed home & stopped at the harley shop to talk to some guys, and went to leave, hit the starter button & nothing! After fooling with it again it started. Also noticed the trip meter & clock were not working right, then it stopped down shifting, "auto trans"& banging as it did after it down shifted & the engine just stopped. Luckily, it started right up again. We were wondering if when the mechanic installed the fog light & 12 volt cigarette lighter if he knocked some wires loose or something?? None of these problems were there before he worked on our Spyder! Any one have any ideas??? Thanks

[0228lisa]

Don't get offended but I assume you hit the "m" button before you hit the starter right? It didn't read that way in your post so just checking the obvious.

[NancysToy]

Check your relays and your battery connections, (the real ones, not the jumpers under the seat. It's worth a try.
-Scotty

[bjt]

Check your relays and your battery connections, (the real ones, not the jumpers under the seat. It's worth a try.
-Scotty

+1 Plus check those connections under the seat also. If they attempted to loosen those underseat connections for some reason, they might not have tightened them up and those have a nut on the backside that is hard to get to. Don't loosen them or you could be adding to you problems but check to be sure they're tight.

[Studybaker Bob]

Thanks for all of your input. I will make the dealer aware of your suggestions.

[Studybaker Bob]

I tried the suggestions ya all gave me & checked the ground cable on the battery. It was snug but was able to get about another 1/2 turn. That seemed to fix the starting problem because it starts easier now. When I turn the key on, I hear a little whinning sound, like a small electric motor, so I figure thats the electric fuel pump or the abs pump. Going to take it out for a run now. C-ya Studybaker Bob.