What just happened? Two weeks old: Engine shut down, VSS Error.

[Graderman]

Out and about on a slow Sunday morning having a look around Stanley Park when the engine just died and a VSS Error showed on the screen. I turned the key off and the VSS cleared as the screen shut down. Turned the ignition back on and the dash lit instantly to the gauge screen showing 2nd gear... Yes, I had set the parking brake... I pushed the starter and of course, nothing. Toggled the ignition several times letting the entire shut down sequence complete between tries. Each time the screen showed 2nd gear engaged - there was no resistance of any kind when pushing it with the park brake off.
I then undid the positive battery terminal to do a complete reset of the system. When I turned the key back on it was still stuck in 2nd gear but I tried the starter anyway... it did a slow, hesitant turn over and then started with the VSS code showing up again - it did clear right away - and the transmission went to neutral. I rode home without a hitch and tried to restart a couple of times with the same hesitant turn over and VSS code which clears itself.

When I disconnected the battery to reset the system earlier, I noticed metal shavings just below the terminal. When I screwed the positive wire down the screw wouldn't tighten... it was stripped but did hold enough connection to turn the starter. I bought the Spyder new two weeks ago and I have a hunch that the battery was installed incorrectly or at least the terminal was cross threaded upon installation. I think it may be a case of poor connection to the battery that is not giving full power on the start up sequence that is throwing the code. As for why the engine shut off in the first place is a mystery to me.

 

[ned64]

Take the battery and charge it good. Then have it load tested see if the battery holds up. Get new screws - bolts and put in the end of the cable. If it all shows good then and starts fine, you should be all right. If it has the cheap Haiju battery in it, then I'd replace it with a Yuasa battery...

 

[Br549rick]

Your dealer should fix all that for you - free of course! If the battery is Haiju brand, ask your dealer to replace it with a Yuasa. Be insistent if need be... Good luck!

 

[JB62]

The new batteries are junk, changed mine within a week.

 

[Graderman]

Thanks for backing up my suspicions. I'll be at the dealer in time for opening on Tuesday morning.

 

[greer]

I'd be very interested to hear the details on your factory battery, Graderman. The bean counters behind the decision to equip the bikes with off-brand junk batteries need to be shown the door, they've done nothing but generate ill will and harm the brand. Seldom a day goes by that we don't hear of an issue popping up. Good luck, and keep us posted please.

Sarah

 

[Graderman]

I'd be very interested to hear the details on your factory battery, Graderman. The bean counters behind the decision to equip the bikes with off-brand junk batteries need to be shown the door, they've done nothing but generate ill will and harm the brand. Seldom a day goes by that we don't hear of an issue popping up. Good luck, and keep us posted please.

Sarah

I agree 100% Sarah! BMW is the same. They wanted to charge me ~ $400.00 CDN for a new battery that "would be covered under warranty". I bought a Yuasa with far better specs for just over 1/4 of the price.

 

[Graderman]

I checked my battery and yes, it is the el cheapo unit as listed above. The Spyder did start right away though and didn’t throw any codes. I did check for any that were stored and found: ‘Lost Connection With Cluster’.
I had a spare battery terminal nut and bolt handy so went ahead and installed them and got the positive terminal to tighten properly.
I’m heading to my dealer this morning to see what they have to say. I’m just happy that the machine started without codes!

 

[Graderman]

A visit to dealer came up with the unsurprising conclusion of no one knowing what happened.
The Spyder has been running just fine for the last two days, that’s all that really matters. Hopefully it was just a one off.
In a previous life I was a heavy equipment operator. Doing a power off reset of electronic systems was a very normal activity.
I’ll see how this plays out… I may consider adding a keyed disconnect switch for the hot lead to the battery. A disconnect switch is not only convenient for doing electrical work it’s a handy anti theft device too!

 

[Graderman]

I've mentioned this in another thread a while back, this is an update after a second occurrence. The almost identical set of circumstances were at play both times: Slowing to a stop behind other traffic. At some point I take my hand off the throttle and when reaching back for the bars slightly brush the Start/Stop switch. Immediately the 2024 RT shuts down even though the kill switch is still in the middle position. The way it was brushed was so very light that I barely noticed I touched it. Turning the ignition off shows no shut down graphics just instant black screen. Turning the ignition back on plays no start up routine but a wide awake screen instantly appears. No matter how long I wait (within reason when dead in the water on a busy street) I can't get the electronics to fully shut off. There is a check engine light active and mine shows 1st gear but can't be changed to neutral. My only option has been to disconnect the battery. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Any other ways of resetting the electronics I'm unaware of? I'm mulling over putting a battery cut off switch in the frunk.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[trikermutha]

If it’s a new Spyder, you could possibly void your warranty. Do not modify!

Take it back and let them fix it.

 

[AndysF3S]

If you barely touched the kill switch and it shut off than I would be checking out the kill switch by working it on and off many times to see if that fixes its sensitivity. There have been other posts on here where others have had a no start by accidentaly touching the kill switch even at speed. Once you have worked the switch take the trike out on a quiet street and see if it replecates the condition you have seen, a good firm on off on reset should get you going.

 

[Graderman]

If you barely touched the kill switch and it shut off than I would be checking out the kill switch by working it on and off many times to see if that fixes its sensitivity. There have been other posts on here where others have had a no start by accidentaly touching the kill switch even at speed. Once you have worked the switch take the trike out on a quiet street and see if it replecates the condition you have seen, a good firm on off on reset should get

If it’s a new Spyder, you could possibly void warranty. Do not modify!

Take it back and let them fix it.

They’ve looked at it and found nothing. It’s intermittent… if they can’t replicate the problem (they can’t) then how can they fix it??

No possibility of voiding the warranty. Nothing is modified from stock. It’s no different than adding a lead on to the battery for gps or battery charging.

 

[Graderman]

If you barely touched the kill switch and it shut off than I would be checking out the kill switch by working it on and off many times to see if that fixes its sensitivity. There have been other posts on here where others have had a no start by accidentaly touching the kill switch even at speed. Once you have worked the switch take the trike out on a quiet street and see if it replecates the condition you have seen, a good firm on off on reset should get you going.

I’ve futzed with the switch enough. It works fine.
So, you say others have posted the same thing… those are the folks I’m hoping will chime in. I’m looking for a way to reset the electronics without disconnecting the battery.

 

[trikermutha]

They’ve looked at it and found nothing. It’s intermittent… if they can’t replicate the problem (they can’t) then how can they fix it?????

No possibility of voiding the warranty. Nothing is modified from stock. It’s no different than adding a lead on to the battery for gps or battery charging.

If it’s not factory then it's modified. Doesn’t take much to void a warranty. Anyway, good luck!

 

[Peder]

Graderman, I had the same battery in my 2021 F3-T. I went through 2 of them. The original failed and the dealer replaced it under warranty. When the second one failed, I put in a Yuasa battery and have had no issues after that. Before I took delivery on my 2025, I had them check the battery. I told them that if it was Chinese, I wanted it replaced with a Yuasa. It was Chinese and it was replaced. Yes, I paid for the new battery. So my 2 cents is to replace the battery.

 

[klefty]

Graderman, my 2022 RTL would throw the VSS on about 40% of my starts. It was always a sluggish start. After 4 months of that and searching this forum I changed the battery out for a Yuasa. Ever since that it has started strong and not a single VSS fault.

 

[Br549rick]

Oh, by the way, on battery bolts - wrench tight, not phillips screwdriver tight. There is a difference. Good luck!

 

[Graderman]

Sooooo... My dealer installed a Yuasa battery and was 100% confident it was a low voltage issue.

It just happened again.

Very slight brush of the kill switch and the whole thing is dead in the water. The electronics DO NOT shut down. When I turn the key off the screen is immediately black (no shut down graphics) and when the key is turned back on the screen is in full operation showing all the gauges etc. Thumbing the starter does nothing. Disconnect and reconnect the battery and everything goes through the proper start up procedure. Today was extra special though, it still wouldn't start - because the park brake would not activate. I had to disconnect the battery 3 times before it would go.

Does anyone know of a way to reset the electronics without disconnecting the battery? It was hinted at in another post.

This is really spoiling my enjoyment of an otherwise excellent machine.

 

[Cobranut]

Sooooo... My dealer installed a Yuasa battery and was 100% confident it was a low voltage issue.

It just happened again.

Very slight brush of the kill switch and the whole thing is dead in the water. The electronics DO NOT shut down. When I turn the key off the screen is immediately black (no shut down graphics) and when the key is turned back on the screen is in full operation showing all the gauges etc. Thumbing the starter does nothing. Disconnect and reconnect the battery and everything goes through the proper start up procedure. Today was extra special though, it still wouldn't start - because the park brake would not activate. I had to disconnect the battery 3 times before it would go.

Does anyone know of a way to reset the electronics without disconnecting the battery? It was hinted at in another post.

This is really spoiling my enjoyment of an otherwise excellent machine.

Take it back to the dealer and let them fix it under warranty.
If it continues to have the same problem, check on getting it replaced via the lemon laws.