Continuing DESS Issue?

[LongIsland]

Hi, been reading ours an hours of threads regarding the DESS and key Error problems. Is this an issue still continuing? I have a 2014 spider and it appears these issues started then. Can I be comfortable buying a brand new spider that I will not have this issue?

To answer your question, w6ada, I would definitely purchase a new Spyder and not be concerned with the DESS issue.
Based on my own experience, 59K combined miles from riding 2012 and 2015 RTL Ltd's, I have not had this, nor any other mechanical or electrical problem. This is not to say that DESS failure or a different component failure won't happen to me, but I am completely satisfied with my Spyder and do not dwell on what may happen. You should also know that the DESS failure does not happen to every Spyder, I do think it is a minority of bikes that suffer this failure. However, it is good to know of potential problems, such as DESS failure, parking brake not releasing, compartment doors not opening properly, etc. so that if a failure does occur you will be able to address it quickly and knowledgeably.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

To answer your question, w6ada, I would definitely purchase a new Spyder and not be concerned with the DESS issue.
Based on my own experience, 59K combined miles from riding 2012 and 2015 RTL Ltd's, I have not had this, nor any other mechanical or electrical problem. This is not to say that DESS failure or a different component failure won't happen to me, but I am completely satisfied with my Spyder and do not dwell on what may happen. You should also know that the DESS failure does not happen to every Spyder, I do think it is a minority of bikes that suffer this failure. However, it is good to know of potential problems, such as DESS failure, parking brake not releasing, compartment doors not opening properly, etc. so that if a failure does occur you will be able to address it quickly and knowledgeably.

" Don't be concerned with a DESS failure " ………. I know of at least 75 failures and some multiple times ( and this from this forum ) ….. I hope it never happens to you …… but to suggest it is only a rare occurrence - well, I don't think they are rare and as far as I can tell BRP has not solved the problem …..Yet !! ……...good luck to all ……. Mike

[petew]

Just a bit of clarification for me please.
I just got a 2014 RT one week ago and have seen the orange screen come up twice. Each time I cycled the key off and then immediately back on and the bike started. Am I headed for failure ?

[bayoubill]

Just a bit of clarification for me please.
I just got a 2014 RT one week ago and have seen the orange screen come up twice. Each time I cycled the key off and then immediately back on and the bike started. Am I headed for failure ?

in my experience yes

[Deanna777]

Just a bit of clarification for me please.
I just got a 2014 RT one week ago and have seen the orange screen come up twice. Each time I cycled the key off and then immediately back on and the bike started. Am I headed for failure ?

Yes,you are headed for a failure. I have a had the D.E.S.S module replaced twice ( both times under warranty, I have a 2014 RTS-SE6) and the ignition switch replaced once( under warranty).

Get the D.E.S.S module replaced.

Deanna

[petew]

Yes,you are headed for a failure. I have a had the D.E.S.S module replaced twice ( both times under warranty, I have a 2014 RTS-SE6) and the ignition switch replaced once( under warranty).

Get the D.E.S.S module replaced.

Deanna

New one is on order ,should have it this week. When I do the install I will relocate it as BlueKnight911 did . Also plan to buy a back up and keep it with me if I travel.

[petew]

Ok then , guess I'll be ordering myself one of 710004916.
Fortunately I have to venture inside the bodywork to switch out my gps harness so I'll pull the frunk off at the same time and change out that module.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Ok then , guess I'll be ordering myself one of 710004916.
Fortunately I have to venture inside the bodywork to switch out my gps harness so I'll pull the frunk off at the same time and change out that module.

I have pics in one of my albums showing where it is and where I re-located it to afterwards …. Mike

[petew]

Thank you sir , I’ll have a look

[bayoubill]

i went ahead and changed the antenna too on my 2015 rs,

[Pictreed]

I'm going to get in on this so it's easier to locate later because we had this error the first time we brought our 2014 home but thought it was low battery. Maybe I should relocate as others suggested and keep a spare module with me?

Tim

[bayoubill]

I'm going to get in on this so it's easier to locate later because we had this error the first time we brought our 2014 home but thought it was low battery. Maybe I should relocate as others suggested and keep a spare module with me?

Tim

i found on mine when it quit for good i could raise the antenna and it would start every time, you can turn the ring under the key with pliars and pull it off and pry the antenna up higher without removing anything, and without damaging anything if you're careful, i had to get my antenna so high to start it you couldn't leave it that way though. just something to get you home.

[Lew L]

i found on mine when it quit for good i could raise the antenna and it would start every time, you can turn the ring under the key with pliars and pull it off and pry the antenna up higher without removing anything, and without damaging anything if you're careful, i had to get my antenna so high to start it you couldn't leave it that way though. just something to get you home.

Hi Bill,
I got the key ring off easy enough ( just a 1/8 turn to the left and it comes right off) BUT---- is the antenna the silvery ring around the opening for the key?????? and how did you pry it up????

Thanks, Lew L

[PinkRosePetal]

i found on mine when it quit for good i could raise the antenna and it would start every time, you can turn the ring under the key with pliars and pull it off and pry the antenna up higher without removing anything, and without damaging anything if you're careful, i had to get my antenna so high to start it you couldn't leave it that way though. just something to get you home.

That's interesting, what year bike have you got?

[bayoubill]

That's interesting, what year bike have you got?

2015 rs

[Deanna777]

I'm going to get in on this so it's easier to locate later because we had this error the first time we brought our 2014 home but thought it was low battery. Maybe I should relocate as others suggested and keep a spare module with me?

Tim

Tim,

I have a 2014 RTS-SE6 and I had the D.E.S.S module replaced twice( in 2015 ). I also started a tread "D.E.S.S KEY CODE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a very long thread. The thread has a lot of great info. about the D.E.S.S. Module/and the switch. Be sure that your dealership has the D.E.S.S module in before you drop off your spyder. ( then you are not down for any riding time).

Since 2015 I have not had the D.E.S.S. error show up.

Deanna

[trikermutha]

The antenna is a black ring around the key switch and can have resistance when trying to move it. There are also a couple of tabs that it seats into around the ignition switch.

[bayoubill]

go to thread " Comfort Impossible for a RSS? "in post 25 the left pic of switch the antenna is the ring on the botttom of the pic that has a wire going to it, you can see the tabs on it and the knobs it slides down over, the top ring that turns holds it on

[Lew L]

OK Bill,

Looks like I can pry upwards using the thin ,vertical slots. Do you think the DESS problem is caused by too strong a signal ( as some have said ) or by too WEAK a signal?????? ( which raising the antenna would solve.) Just wish I could shut off the DESS system completely.

Lew L

[bayoubill]

i think too weak, on mine i could pry it up a little and when you turn the key just the ba of bad key error would come up then the mode scroll stuff that normally comes up, if i pulled it almost to the key head it would start normally, so obviously it needed a stronger signal, i am still going to get it turned off if i ever find someone close to do it, i was thinking if i had it to do over i would just put the new module in and plug in the new antenna{it plugs to module}, and run the antenna wire out in to the frunk, tape it around my extra key head, find a way to secure it and leave it that way, leave the old antenna on the switch un hooked, then you could start it with any key.

[Lew L]

Hi Bill,

After removing the plastic cover and seeing how to raise the antenna---- I looked again at the plastic cover. A few moments with the trusty Dremel tool and I could open the notch to allow the antenna to be raised 1/8 to 3/16" and still have the key fully functional. I'll give it a try today.

Lew L

[bayoubill]

Hi Bill,

After removing the plastic cover and seeing how to raise the antenna---- I looked again at the plastic cover. A few moments with the trusty Dremel tool and I could open the notch to allow the antenna to be raised 1/8 to 3/16" and still have the key fully functional. I'll give it a try today.

Lew L

im not sure what you are saying , you should be able to pull the antenna all the way up till it hits the key head without grinding anything. it just sits down on the switch, nothing holds it on but the trim ring you turn to pull off.

[Lew L]

im not sure what you are saying , you should be able to pull the antenna all the way up till it hits the key head without grinding anything. it just sits down on the switch, nothing holds it on but the trim ring you turn to pull off.

I milled out a bit of the "L" shaped notch that holds the key trim ring down. ( not the antenna) Then put with the antenna up as far as it would go ( without serious pulling) , I put the trim ring back on, pushing the antenna down a bit. probably raised it only 1/8th" . This was more of an experiment and not a fix.

A new antenna can be purchased right??? Pulling the Frunk and relocating the DESS module ( a replacement module) would be good------ disabling the DESS would be better .
Lew L

[bayoubill]

I milled out a bit of the "L" shaped notch that holds the key trim ring down. ( not the antenna) Then put with the antenna up as far as it would go ( without serious pulling) , I put the trim ring back on, pushing the antenna down a bit. probably raised it only 1/8th" . This was more of an experiment and not a fix.

A new antenna can be purchased right??? Pulling the Frunk and relocating the DESS module ( a replacement module) would be good------ disabling the DESS would be better .
Lew L

i see now what you're saying, i had to raise my antenna so far to get it to work every time the key would push it down when you un-lock the frunk so it wasn't usable like that, i got the module and antenna for 168.00, module was like 128.00 and rest antenna. module alone might fix it but i wanted to make sure the first time by changing both.

[RogerTN]

If you replace the DESS module and the antenna do the keys need to be re programmed?

Thank you

Roger