• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Key failure DESS code

yellow dog

New member
After gassing up yesterday I got the DESS failure with key on my screen. Needless to say I couldn't start my RT to leave the station. Luckily my son wasn't on duty so he was able to go to my house and get the extra key. I am assuming the chip failed in my key and was wondering if this is something I can get corrected or does the dealer have to do it. My closest dealer is about 45 miles away so not convenient at all. Should I expect the other key to fail also since they are the same age? Btw, my wife's RT is about a year older than mine and she hasn't had any problems.
 
Its the DESS module in your bike that is failing, not the key. You can either have the dealer replace it to eventually fail again, or you can have DESS turned off and never worry about it again.
 
Its the DESS module in your bike that is failing, not the key. You can either have the dealer replace it to eventually fail again, or you can have DESS turned off and never worry about it again.

Thanks, will the dealer turn it off or do I have to get someone else to do it?
 
Thanks, will the dealer turn it off or do I have to get someone else to do it?

You'll have to ask and see what they say. My understanding is it can be disabled via BUDS or the mechanic I saw just offered to cut and bypass the wires. What year is your Spyder? As has been said it will fail at some point. If you have a warranty get it replaced or turned off.
 
You'll have to ask and see what they say. My understanding is it can be disabled via BUDS or the mechanic I saw just offered to cut and bypass the wires. What year is your Spyder? As has been said it will fail at some point. If you have a warranty get it replaced or turned off.

Interesting idea, never researched the concept of adding a patch cable pigtail and sealed switch to bypass / override DESS.

Was always under the impression DESS read the key, then sent that info to the computer. If the key matched the bike could be started.
 
Yep, mine is a 2015 also and bought it with 15k. Got the DESS error within 2 months of owning it and it just randomly kept popping up, including the one 3 day trip up the coast with my brother. I left the engine running for short sight seeing stops and was always nervous after any shut off period that I'd end up with a disabled bike far from home.

Do yourself a favor so you aren't thinking about it all the time and get it replaced or bypassed.

Just my .02 cents worth and I am one of the most inexperienced riders here having started 2 years ago and straight to 3 wheels so you can add a grain of salt to the 2 cents. :thumbup:
 
Yep, mine is a 2015 also and bought it with 15k. Got the DESS error within 2 months of owning it and it just randomly kept popping up, including the one 3 day trip up the coast with my brother. I left the engine running for short sight seeing stops and was always nervous after any shut off period that I'd end up with a disabled bike far from home.

Do yourself a favor so you aren't thinking about it all the time and get it replaced or bypassed.

Just my .02 cents worth and I am one of the most inexperienced riders here having started 2 years ago and straight to 3 wheels so you can add a grain of salt to the 2 cents. :thumbup:

Thanks, I have contacted the local dealer and they are going to jump on it as soon as I get it there.
 
You'll have to ask and see what they say. My understanding is it can be disabled via BUDS or the mechanic I saw just offered to cut and bypass the wires. What year is your Spyder? As has been said it will fail at some point. If you have a warranty get it replaced or turned off.

I have studied the DESS issue, and have not heard of ANYONE who has been able to BY-PASS the module vis Wiring it different.... AS stated it can be done using BUDS but 99.99 % of dealers WON'T...… If the warranty is over, you can do it yourself ...if you remove the Frunk …. then get a module ( $ 135.00 aftermarket vendor ) and you can do it in about 10 minutes ( plug and play ) …. prior to getting it fixed, a procedure that has worked for many is this : turn it on / off 5 times rapidly …. wait a few minutes and try to start it ….. however understand this is a Band-Aid, once the module has had issues - eventually it will stop and won't re-start no matter what you do ….. good luck …. Mike …………. PS after mine failed and was re-placed under warranty, I moved the module to an area under the right headlite …. this makes changing a 5 min. job ….. :clap:
 
Turning off DESS requires a Megatech licence for BUDS that most dealers do not bother to invest in so most can't do it. Some can and will. A number of independent Spyder shops will do it also.

DESS CANNOT be disabled or bypassed by cutting and splicing wires. Its a digitally encrypted signal sending a key code it read from the chip in the key.
 
Turning off DESS requires a Megatech licence for BUDS that most dealers do not bother to invest in so most can't do it. Some can and will. A number of independent Spyder shops will do it also.

DESS CANNOT be disabled or bypassed by cutting and splicing wires. Its a digitally encrypted signal sending a key code it read from the chip in the key.

Well so much for the Master mechanic at the shop that told me that. Another reason not to take it to that shop any more.
 
Turning off DESS requires a Megatech licence for BUDS that most dealers do not bother to invest in so most can't do it. Some can and will. A number of independent Spyder shops will do it also.

DESS CANNOT be disabled or bypassed by cutting and splicing wires. Its a digitally encrypted signal sending a key code it read from the chip in the key.

Well so much for the Master mechanic at the shop that told me that. Another reason not to take it to that shop any more. Thanks JC
 
After gassing up yesterday I got the DESS failure with key on my screen. Needless to say I couldn't start my RT to leave the station. Luckily my son wasn't on duty so he was able to go to my house and get the extra key. I am assuming the chip failed in my key and was wondering if this is something I can get corrected or does the dealer have to do it. My closest dealer is about 45 miles away so not convenient at all. Should I expect the other key to fail also since they are the same age? Btw, my wife's RT is about a year older than mine and she hasn't had any problems.

HI:

Here is a link that I started with some excellent info about the DESS failure: https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?84651-D-E-S-S-KEY-CODE-AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope this link works for you.

I have a 2014 RTS-SE 6 and had the DESS module replaced twice & the switch replaced once.
Since then I have not had the DESS error.
Deanna
 
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?122280-Continuing-DESS-Issue&highlight=dess

PDF for DESS bulletin on post#113

Refer to TST ROADSTER 2nd Generation D.E.S.S. Principal Of Operation (2014 and Up) to fully understand the principle of operation of the latest D.E.S.S. generation. With first D.E.S.S. module production,when the D.E.S.S. module was sending his signal to the antenna to read the key chip, the radio frequency produced by the antenna was too strong and the key chip was saturated. This saturation changed the data transmitted back to the D.E.S.S. module causing a bad reading of the key chip. A ferrite has been added in new 710004916 module to reduce RFI/EMI signals.
Translate

Many long discussions on this topic.
 
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?122280-Continuing-DESS-Issue&highlight=dess

PDF for DESS bulletin on post#113

Refer to TST ROADSTER 2nd Generation D.E.S.S. Principal Of Operation (2014 and Up) to fully understand the principle of operation of the latest D.E.S.S. generation. With first D.E.S.S. module production,when the D.E.S.S. module was sending his signal to the antenna to read the key chip, the radio frequency produced by the antenna was too strong and the key chip was saturated. This saturation changed the data transmitted back to the D.E.S.S. module causing a bad reading of the key chip. A ferrite has been added in new 710004916 module to reduce RFI/EMI signals.
Translate

Many long discussions on this topic.

… The First generation DESS module was in 2008 …. until 2013 ….there were few if any failures with that module..… then the module was changed in 2014 …. and that's when all Hell broke loose, post 2014 there were 4 changes to that module, and IMHO it still isn't anywhere near as good as 08 to 13 modules..... Mike
 
… The First generation DESS module was in 2008 …. until 2013 ….there were few if any failures with that module..… then the module was changed in 2014 …. and that's when all Hell broke loose, post 2014 there were 4 changes to that module, and IMHO it still isn't anywhere near as good as 08 to 13 modules..... Mike

Your probably right! :ohyea:
 
The first time it happened to my 2014 RT, I let it sat for 24 hours and it cranked. After that I found out that if you touch the negative cable to the positive post on the battery, it will reset the system and crank without issue. After that time, it did it once that caused me to do the walk away and wait method for about 10 minutes. Then for about a year it would do it on occasion. I would take the key out and flip it and it would crank. I eventually had it replaced under warranty and never had another issue.
 
My 2015 threw the code a few times, but always started when I did the key on and off trick. We travel a lot on our RT and can be out for a month or more at a time and I didn't trust the DESS whether it was replaced or not. I just had the DESS disabled and called it a day. What purpose does it serve? If a thief is he!! bent on getting your vehicle he will get it. Doesn't matter if it is a bicycle or a Kenworth. Keep your insurance paid and ride.
 
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?122280-Continuing-DESS-Issue&highlight=dess

PDF for DESS bulletin on post#113

Refer to TST ROADSTER 2nd Generation D.E.S.S. Principal Of Operation (2014 and Up) to fully understand the principle of operation of the latest D.E.S.S. generation. With first D.E.S.S. module production,when the D.E.S.S. module was sending his signal to the antenna to read the key chip, the radio frequency produced by the antenna was too strong and the key chip was saturated. This saturation changed the data transmitted back to the D.E.S.S. module causing a bad reading of the key chip. A ferrite has been added in new 710004916 module to reduce RFI/EMI signals.
Translate

Many long discussions on this topic.

Yes there is many discussions on the D.E.S.S topic, I started a thread on the Topic( which is very long).

Deanna
 
Back
Top