electric motor cycling in front/under handlebars

[Revalden]

What is problem? Power steering?

[Grandpot]

The electric motors in the front are: cooling fans, windshield, steering, and ABS. The only ones that will cycle without you feeling something strange would be the fans. It is normal for them to cycle.

[PMK]

At a guess, even though not the location you mention, if you have air ride rear suspension, it is likely the compressor.

[Gwolf]

When is the motor cycling? Is is while you are going very slow or stopped in city traffic? Is it when you are riding at moderate speeds?

Does it do it only while moving, or does it do it while stopped most of the time?

Has it ever done that before it gets up to normal operating temperature?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Fuel pump when you turn key on?

[Revalden]

When is the motor cycling? Is is while you are going very slow or stopped in city traffic?YES Is it when you are riding at moderate speeds?NO

Does it do it only while moving YES, or does it do it while stopped most of the time NO?

Has it ever done that before it gets up to normal operating temperature?

Usually while moving slowly, hot or cold engine, It's not the radiator fans and not the air bag pump.

[Gwolf]

On the bottom of the shaft that connects to the handlebars, there is a steering assist motor. It operates to make steering easier while going at very slow speeds. It is directly under the handlebars on the lower end of the steering shaft. It would not operate while stopped or while going at higher speeds. It would only come on while moving.

[Revalden]

On the bottom of the shaft that connects to the handlebars, there is a steering assist motor. It operates to make steering easier while going at very slow speeds. It is directly under the handlebars on the lower end of the steering shaft. It would not operate while stopped or while going at higher speeds. It would only come on while moving.

Thanks Gwolf. Can it usually be heard? Is it hard to get at it? Is it hydraulic? Since I can hear it is it about to quit? Is there something that can be done to fix it besides replacing it? I just checked the price of the power steering unit,,, $1036.99 . Holy Crap Batman!! if it stops working I guess I'll hafta start working out at the gym and put lotsa air in the tires so that I can still steer it.

[Gwolf]

Thanks Gwolf. Can it usually be heard? Is it hard to get at it? Is it hydraulic? Since I can hear it is it about to quit? Is there something that can be done to fix it besides replacing it?

I don't know. I don't notice mine coming on, but I got a 2019 that only has a little over 7,000 miles on it. They are pretty expensive. Not sure how hard it is to get at. Most likely have to strip most of the front end. The shaft comes down from the handlebars and would be in front of the engine. I am not even sure that would be what is making the noise. I was just going by when it makes noise and when it doesn't.

https://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemp...23db5/steering

That parts picture will expand to huge size.

Should be part #118 in the diagram. Might be able to turn the wheels all the way to one side and see it from down low behind the wheel. I don't know know on your model. If you can see it, put a light on it and look for anything leaking or that looks loose on it.

It is not hydraulic. It is electric motor to give steering assist at parking lot speeds. It might cycle off and on if you rode slow in a quiet place and turned the bars back and forth some.

[Revalden]

I don't know. I don't notice mine coming on, but I got a 2019 that only has a little over 7,000 miles on it. They are pretty expensive. Not sure how hard it is to get at. Most likely have to strip most of the front end. The shaft comes down from the handlebars and would be in front of the engine. I am not even sure that would be what is making the noise. I was just going by when it makes noise and when it doesn't.

https://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemp...23db5/steering

That parts picture will expand to huge size.

Should be part #118 in the diagram. Might be able to turn the wheels all the way to one side and see it from down low behind the wheel. I don't know know on your model. If you can see it, put a light on it and look for anything leaking or that looks loose on it.

It is not hydraulic. It is electric motor to give steering assist at parking lot speeds. It might cycle off and on if you rode slow in a quiet place and turned the bars back and forth some.

Gwolf, thank you for your help. I'm sure that is what's making the low growling sound at slow speeds. I might be able to get in/under there to find out what its problem is sometime this winter.

[Revalden]

I've been looking at the exploded view of the steering section at Cheap Cycle Parts and perusing some older posts about the DPS unit. Someone mentioned that a bad battery or connection might be a culprit. Since my battery is probably 5 yrs old and has been giving me low voltage readings, I decided to order a new battery anyway. Also on the diagram I noticed a part that is labeled "Sensor Sleave", that looks like it could be made of brass or copper with a boss on top so that it won't fall thru the hole it sits in. It costs $1.99. I'm thinking that if the sleave is worn due to stupid/dirty engineering location it could cause the connected sensor to relay bad input to the computer and or the motor. I might hafta get under there sooner that I'd like, but I'll wait until new battery arrives and see if the DPS still acts up. What ya'll think? Yes, I know that I have too much time on my hands and I tend to over-think stuff but I don't like giving up and doing things the easy way. And "Management" works long hours to provide money for my damn toys, but she loves me something fierce and I love her just as much. She's awesome.

[h0gr1der]

Maybe to help diagnose the DPS you could go to a large smooth parking lot and drive straight forward with a centered steering. If you still hear it then it may not be the DPS, or the DPS is malfunctioning. I can't hear this noise on my RTL. Maybe hooking it up to BUDs will tell the tale.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I've been looking at the exploded view of the steering section at Cheap Cycle Parts and perusing some older posts about the DPS unit. Someone mentioned that a bad battery or connection might be a culprit. Since my battery is probably 5 yrs old and has been giving me low voltage readings, I decided to order a new battery anyway. Also on the diagram I noticed a part that is labeled "Sensor Sleave", that looks like it could be made of brass or copper with a boss on top so that it won't fall thru the hole it sits in..

I guess I haven't studied the DPS parts diagram really close so that's a new one on me. My understanding is that everything related to the DPS unit is all contained inside the DPS unit and none of it is repairable, except maybe by the DPS manufacturer. It's also a pain to replace. When the one was replaced in my 2013 RT (that was a common failure back then) the shop guys had the lady service writer come out and finagle it out. Her smaller fingers made it easier to get out; not easy, just easier! AFAIK there are no rebuilt DPS units available. You might find a good one from a m/c salvage yard. According to the service manual you must reset things with BUDS after you change it out.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I've never seen one torn apart, nor seen a detailed parts diagram of the DPS, but I don't think the DPS motor is an electric motor in the usual sense of the term. I don't believe it assists steering by turning many revolutions but rather makes a partial turn and applies a turning torque ala a stalled regular electric motor. It's conceivable to me that instead of applying a constant current to the DPS stator, if that is what it has, the controller is applying an intermittent current. That could cause a hum or vibration. If that is the case your only choice is to live with it or replace it.

[Revalden]

Ok guys, thanks all of your replies/help, but I'm gonna put this problem solving on hold until the weather warms up at least 50 degrees. If anyone knows what company actually manufactures this damn thing let me know and I'll try a little industrial espionage to figure it out. Thanks again everyone.