Hello everyone,
My name is Steve and I'm with BRP customer care. I know some folks have experienced the P0127 and/or P0217 codes on their Spyders so we'd like to provide additional information on what they mean.
The P0127 code can occur when the intake air temperature exceeds a certain limit. While this is done in order to detect a possible problem with the air coming in through the intake, in some hotter areas - for example if your Spyder has been sitting in the sun in the middle of the Mojave desert for a while - it's quite possible that the initial rush of air that the engine receives upon startup is hotter than this threshold; that's what generates the code and can cause a limit on initial engine torque available. Your Spyder can still be safely driven. As you ride, the air around the sensor cools and reaches below the limit, the check engine indicator will turn OFF and full engine torque will become available. However, if your Spyder remains in limp mode and the check engine light remains on for an extended period, this could indicate another issue at which point it's advised that you have the vehicle checked by your BRP dealer.
As for the P0217 code, it can often be related to a phenomenon known as "heat soak". This occurs when the vehicle is turned off, coolant is no longer circulating, but the engine is still releasing heat (thus increasing the temperature of the coolant). An example of when this can occur this would be riding around on a very hot day and then pulling over for a 5 or 10 minute break (a realistic amount of time needed for "heat soak" to take place, without sufficient time afterwards to allow the engine to cool down). If your ECM is up to date (or if you have a 2013 or newer model), the limp mode condition the vehicle falls into when this occurs is known as a "passive" limp mode, so any temporary power reduction that takes place while this code is triggered should not be noticeable (unless the temperature continues to increase, indicating another possible issue). Otherwise, as you get back on the vehicle and continue to ride, the colder coolant coming from the radiator will start circulating throughout the engine and bring the temperature levels below the normal threshold; at this point the vehicle will return to normal operation. This situation is controlled by the ECM software as a safeguard to the vehicle. Once again, if the temperature continues to rise and the vehicle remains in limp mode (passive or full) for an extended period, this indicates a separate issue and bringing it to your BRP dealer would be the next step.
I hope this information is helpful.
