Stranded by DESS Check Key - any fix besides towing?

I would like to see BRP get rid of this troublesome item or make a good fix.

Jcrozzb said:

I have read as many post as I could on this forum and FB there Seems to be no quick fix that works on all years and models when stranded by CHECK KEY other than being towed to the nearest dealer. things I have noticed weather below 50 deg
F can cause it in my case I have had to be towed $96 stranded outside a bar that was closed , this is my 3rd Spyder never before any trouble the dealer put a new dess about 2,000 mi ago 7200 mi on bike has been checked by a dealer 3 times is there such a thing as a lemon ? This is my first post and if you have any input thanks in advance. I also enjoy the discussion a lot and thanks for letting me participate

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HI Jcrozzb,

What year is your spyder?
What is your spyder model?

Did the can-am dealership replace the switch?

Here is some info that I got from a can-am dealership in Vt. : Technical Explanation When the D.E.S.S module sends it signal to the antenna to read the key chip, the radio frequency produced by the antenna is too strong an the key is saturated. This saturation changes the data transmitted back to the D.E.S.S. module causing a bad lecture of the key chip.

Problem:
Intermittently, the ignition key may not be recognized causing the unit not to start. The D.E.S.S. ERROR message will be displayed in the Cluster.

Solution: Replace the D.E.S.S. module.
Program the keys using the B.U.D.S.

Also, have the your can -am dealership open a case with BRP.


Here is an other suggestion: Turn the ignition switch on/off several times DO NOT LET THE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN do that for 4 to 5 cycles.

I started a Thread on: D.E.S.S Key Code Again!!!!!! on 8/13/2015

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?84651-D-E-S-S-KEY-CODE-AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there is some very helpful ideas and suggestions in that thread.

Deanna

Jcrozzb said:

I have read as many post as I could on this forum and FB there Seems to be no quick fix that works on all years and models when stranded by CHECK KEY other than being towed to the nearest dealer. things I have noticed weather below 50 deg
F can cause it in my case I have had to be towed $96 stranded outside a bar that was closed , this is my 3rd Spyder never before any trouble the dealer put a new dess about 2,000 mi ago 7200 mi on bike has been checked by a dealer 3 times is there such a thing as a lemon ? This is my first post and if you have any input thanks in advance. I also enjoy the discussion a lot and thanks for letting me participate

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What year and model?

How many times or how often has this happened?

Jcrozzb said:

Several 3 times at dealer over a year period

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Hi J,
Still under warrantee??? Get the dealer to open a case with BRP while giving you a loaner. New bikes shouldn't have this problem and if they do the dealer and BRP really needs to take care of it promptly. Poor customer service doesn't sit well with the buying public-----

My DESS problem occurred out of warrantee ( but not by much). Replaced the DESS module myself and no more problems since.

Lew L

Is it possible to eliminate the DESS, A simple non chipped key would be perfect.

old Timer said:

Is it possible to eliminate the DESS, A simple non chipped key would be perfect.

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For a 2020 you need to find someone with a BUDS 2 Megatech license. They can disable DESS. Dealers usually don't have the version and even if they do, most dealers won't disable it due to the liability.

Trbayth said:

For a 2020 you need to find someone with a BUDS 2 Megatech license. They can disable DESS. Dealers usually don't have the version and even if they do, most dealers won't disable it due to the liability.

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Then you can use a non chipped key. When we bought our RT I had a non chipped key made so my wife could lock/unlock the trunk and bags. I had DESS disabled and her key will start the RT.

Jcrozzb said:

2020 rtl

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Jcrozzb said:

Several 3 times at dealer over a year period

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This is very disappointing. I would have hoped the DESS issue would have been solved by now.

i'm new in the Spyder world , my question is ... What is this DESS ???? what does it really Do.... and , how do I turn it off ......... OR does my 2011 RT even Have This on it ????

sledge said:

i'm new in the Spyder world , my question is ... What is this DESS ???? what does it really Do.... and , how do I turn it off ......... OR does my 2011 RT even Have This on it ????

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To follow up on Peter's comment. With your Spyder you have to have two keys to program the key codes into the DESS. You MUST have one key that is already programmed into the DESS to in order to add more keys to it, up to 8 max. If you lose all the keys that have been programmed in, which is usually the two from the factory, plus any others that may have been added, your will be in deep doo-doo. There is no way to add a key to the DESS unless you have at least one that is already programmed in. That means buying an entire ignition key system for hundreds of dollars.

If you do not have any spare keys for your Spyder, you better get one. If you have only one key the best thing is get a key blank from the dealer, have it cut, and then have the dealer program it into the DESS. If you have two keys now, then a good way to go is to get a blank that can be cloned. I don't remember the brand and number at the moment but a search here for clone will find it. The clone key works exactly like the OEM that was used to clone it. Many key places can clone the key.

In 2014 the DESS was changed so that it can read any OEM key, and with using BUDS a dealer can enter the key ID code into the Engine Control Module. It can then be used to start the Spyder. No one has come up with a way to clone a 2014 and later key. A special more powerful version of BUDs has the capability to go into the DESS and ECM program and disable the requirement to use only a key programmed in. Not many dealers, or anyone else, has the license to use the Megatech version of BUDs.

Another tip: never let water run into your keyhole! This happened to me when the dealer washed the unit without FIRST REMOVING THE KEY to let that nifty flap close the keyhole. The DESS had to be replaced (under warranty) but I was without my ryde for 8 days, waiting for the part.

Now I'm out of warranty, so I guess if it happens again, I'm screwed!

To the OP: did you check on your warranty benefit for that towing bill? My warranty paid for a tow once, but the tow was pre-arranged by the warranty provider.

Does Lamonster Garage have a Megatech version of BUDs?????

Lew L said:

Hi J,
Still under warrantee??? Get the dealer to open a case with BRP while giving you a loaner. New bikes shouldn't have this problem and if they do the dealer and BRP really needs to take care of it promptly. Poor customer service doesn't sit well with the buying public-----

My DESS problem occurred out of warrantee ( but not by much). Replaced the DESS module myself and no more problems since.

Lew L

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Lew L

In this thread on post number 3, I did mention to them to have there dealership open up a case with BRP.


Deanna

old Timer said:

Does Lamonster Garage have a Megatech version of BUDs?????

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Yes we do.

If the DESS system is turned off using BUDS, does it stay off, or will subsequent firmware updates turn it back on ?