Interesting DESS issue - do you think no cell signal or bluetooth caused this, or is it time for a new key?

[CloverHillCrawler]

Never had any issues with my DESS before, but while on my trip to Maggie Valley I had stopped on the Cherohala Skyway and when I went to get back going again, I got a wrong key error that came up. I pulled the key and waited a couple of minutes. Still got the wrong key error. I then removed anything that could cause interference. My phone was in it's Tackform holder on the center mount near the key. I also have a UE mini-boom speaker that I keep in the frunk to pull out and use while I take a break to listen to music, and I pulled that out from the frunk so as to remove any interference from the magnet in the speaker. Everything was good then, it started up, and I had no other issues until I was on my way home and stopped at a local boat ramp in Va. to eat lunch and take a break. Same thing happens again and I repeated the steps I did while on the Skyway and it started back up.

My guess is that the either the bluetooth was causing these issues, or while I was in both places I had absolutely no 4g signal (I have an older Motorola that does not have 5g) and the phones' radio was on high power trying to connect to the tower. But I have been on the Skyway before with the same phone and same mount, the only difference being I am on t-mobile now and not Verizon. I also have been in lots of places in Pa. where there is no cell signal and had no issues.

Do you think it is a no cell signal or bluetooth causing the issue, or is it time to get a new key and replace it? I have a spare key I can swap out and use to see if it happens again. But it has not happened anymore since I am back in an area with dependable cell coverage and the radio is no longer going into a high power mode trying to connect to a tower.

 

[RayBJ]

Not fer nothing, but I can't imagine cell service having anything to do with the DESS receiver. Signal blockage is more likely your problem assuming the DESS isn't fading into oblivion.

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

Not fer nothing, but I can't imagine cell service having anything to do with the DESS receiver. Signal blockage is more likely your problem assuming the DESS isn't fading into oblivion.

Well that's what I am thinking, due to high power on the cell phone when it goes into a "search" mode trying to connect to a tower it's signal is blocking the key from communicating to the DESS, but I have never had this issue before and it seems moving the phone away from the ignition system solved the problem both times that it happened which were in a no service area. Seems like too much of a coincidence for me. Especially since it is the only two incidents that I have ever had with it.

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Well that's what I am thinking, due to high power on the cell phone when it goes into a "search" mode trying to connect to a tower it's signal is blocking the key from communicating to the DESS, but I have never had this issue before and it seems moving the phone away from the ignition system solved the problem both times that it happened which were in a no service area. Seems like too much of a coincidence for me. Especially since it is the only two incidents that I have ever had with it.

Because T-Mobile and Verizon use different portions of the radio spectrum, it could be just a new interference issue that you never had before. Maybe. It's extremely rare that a chip in a key goes bad. And the power for the chip comes from the Electromagnetic Field that the antenna ring creates in the first place. So, any interference could impact comms between the chip and the DESS. Wish we were closer. We could disable DESS for you. In the mean time, looks like you found the work-around.

 

[Deanna777]

Never had any issues with my DESS before, but while on my trip to Maggie Valley I had stopped on the Cherohala Skyway and when I went to get back going again, I got a wrong key error that came up. I pulled the key and waited a couple of minutes. Still got the wrong key error. I then removed anything that could cause interference. My phone was in it's Tackform holder on the center mount near the key. I also have a UE mini-boom speaker that I keep in the frunk to pull out and use while I take a break to listen to music, and I pulled that out from the frunk so as to remove any interference from the magnet in the speaker. Everything was good then, it started up, and I had no other issues until I was on my way home and stopped at a local boat ramp in Va. to eat lunch and take a break. Same thing happens again and I repeated the steps I did while on the Skyway and it started back up.

My guess is that the either the bluetooth was causing these issues, or while I was in both places I had absolutely no 4g signal (I have an older Motorola that does not have 5g) and the phones' radio was on high power trying to connect to the tower. But I have been on the Skyway before with the same phone and same mount, the only difference being I am on t-mobile now and not Verizon. I also have been in lots of places in Pa. where there is no cell signal and had no issues.

Do you think it is a no cell signal or bluetooth causing the issue, or is it time to get a new key and replace it? I have a spare key I can swap out and use to see if it happens again. But it has not happened anymore since I am back in an area with dependable cell coverage and the radio is no longer going into a high power mode trying to connect to a tower.

HI CloverHIllCrawler,

I started a thread titled "DESS KEY CODE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!' on Aug. 13th, 2015 (linked below). That thread has a lot of very useful info about the DESS. Read post # 1,100, which is on Page 55 by Peter Aawen, the moderator.

I don't think it is the no signal or bluetooth causing the issue. I think is time to replace it. Try using your spare key, and if you get the DESS error message with the spare key too, then it is time for a new key. Have your dealership open up a case with BRP. Do you have the extended warranty on your Spyder?

Deanna

DESS Key code again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today, I was doing some errands - after I left the store went to start my Spyder & I got the D.E.S.S KEY CODE "AGAIN" I put a key into the ignition, got the above error, put the 2nd key into the ignition, got the same message, (and of course I didn't have my camera so, sorry, but no picture)...

www.spyderlovers.com

 

[DickB]

Not fer nothing, but I can't imagine cell service having anything to do with the DESS receiver. Signal blockage is more likely your problem assuming the DESS isn't fading into oblivion.

Cell towers close by can affect these systems. Several neighbors have reported problems with their cars at the local grocery store. It happened to me twice - I could not unlock the car with the fob. There is a cell tower very nearby. No problem anywhere else ever.

Another suggestion, should it happen again, would be to cover the key and the ignition switch as much as possible with aluminum foil to block any radio signal from interfering, to see if indeed that is the problem.

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

Because T-Mobile and Verizon use different portions of the radio spectrum, it could be just a new interference issue that you never had before. Maybe. It's extremely rare that a chip in a key goes bad. And the power for the chip comes from the Electromagnetic Field that the antenna ring creates in the first place. So, any interference could impact comms between the chip and the DESS. Wish we were closer. We could disable DESS for you. In the mean time, looks like you found the work-around.

Thanks for the offer on the disable, but I have been wanting a copy of BUDS for myself, so If I actually go and do it, I'll bite the cost on the license. Plus, I don't think anyone else is in this area has a copy at this time. I have just retired, so I can be of service to other people in the area if I do decide to get it.

 

[Mikey]

While you were at Maggie you should have asked around, my bet is that someone there would have taken good care of that problem for you! A few clicks of the keys and bye-bye problem!

 

[DickB]

Thanks for the offer on the disable, but I have been wanting a copy of BUDS for myself, so If I actually go and do it, I'll bite the cost on the license. Plus, I don't think anyone else is in this area has a copy at this time. I have just retired, so I can be of service to other people in the area if I do decide to get it.

To disable disable DESS you need a Megatech license:

Mechatronic Expert License Features:

• Changing of the VIN number, MODEL number
• Advanced settings
• View stories in hours, rather than percentage
• Enabling/Disabling DESS
• Change the key type without reprogramming (normal, learning, rental)
• Clear the history of the blocks ECM, MPEM (history of substitutions)
• Cleaning ECM, MPEM, CLUSTER "as new" (resetting the hours to zero and miles/kilometres)
• View more information blocks
• Installing Secure Code
• Edit curves for 2-Stroke vehicles and new E-TEC (Skidoo).

 

[CrazyCooter]

I have regularly had issue with the fob on my KTM 1290 when parked under a gas station canopy......The first time it was a bit unnerving, but I pushed the bike out into the open air and she started right up. One time both the RT and the KTM had key issues and we had to push them both out from under the canopy!