Bad key !

[MrBones]

Stopped at a gas station filled up and when I was done tried to start my bike and got a "bad Key"sign across the window. Tried my unused extra key got the same notice. While trying to get it going pressed the kill button on then off and ever since all has been working! Anyone else had this happen? If bad key comes on try the kill button.

[Big Juice]

I have heard (from a Spyder mechanic) that the "kill" button is a weak point on CanAm Spyders and to not use it unless an emergency. So if you used it regularly, you might have a bad switch now and need to have it checked out. I had a habit of using the kill switch each time on other bikes, now I don't use it at all.......unless necessary!

[Rattlebars]

Great solution! Sometimes we find stuff that works but BuRP never documents it!

I don't use the kill switch as a rule, but sometimes if I've parked, some evil passerby will hit the kill switch and probably stand somewhere to watch me figure out what's wrong. After the second time this happened, I just check the kill switch first if it won't respond to the starter.

[ofdave]

I believe the manual for the 2017 F3 says to use the kill switch to shut off the engine, then turn off the key

[Navydad]

I have had the key issue a few times, but never tried the kill switch trick. I will remember this. By the way the "kill" switch on our or any other manufacturers bikes is a GOVERNMENT farkle. Back when the feds decided that all bikes sold here had to have identical control layouts the kill switch became an item. I am sure it has saved thousands of lives

[JayBros]

I have heard (from a Spyder mechanic) that the "kill" button is a weak point on CanAm Spyders and to not use it unless an emergency. So if you used it regularly, you might have a bad switch now and need to have it checked out. I had a habit of using the kill switch each time on other bikes, now I don't use it at all.......unless necessary!

That Spyder "mechanic's" comment pegs the BS meter! Show me the documentation.

[billybovine]

That Spyder "mechanic's" comment pegs the BS meter! Show me the documentation.

I agree. The kill switch will not cause a "Bad Key" message to scroll across the screen. The DESS module will read and validate the key, whether or not the kill switch is in the on or off position. Another myth in the making to waste people's time when they are having trouble with their Spyder.

Sure kill switch issues could be the cause of failure to start problems. Just not this one.

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

I have had the key issue a few times, but never tried the kill switch trick. I will remember this. By the way the "kill" switch on our or any other manufacturers bikes is a GOVERNMENT farkle. Back when the feds decided that all bikes sold here had to have identical control layouts the kill switch became an item. I am sure it has saved thousands of lives

One that I know of is SpyderAnn01 … when her 2013 RT caught fire, she calmly cut the engine with the kill switch and got to the side of the road quickly. Spyder was totaled …. Ann was fine (all be it shaken).

All the rider courses teach you to use the engine cutoff switch to stop the bike for a reason -- muscle memory will insure that you can find the darn thing in a true emergency and not have to think about it.

All the best …. Ann

[MrBones]

The thing is I have never used the kill switch. Maybe I hit it accidently but it did take away the bad key screen and it did start after that.