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2014 RT Ltd Spyder with new battery won't start! Ideas?

djames4

New member
About a month ago I bought a new battery since my old battery was over seven years old. Since I bought the new battery I have ridden the Spyder three times with the last ride being about five days ago. I had no problems with the Spyder on those rides. Today I went to start my Spyder and this is what happened. Looking for any suggestions as to what the problem may be.

https://youtu.be/jyOSOfFa3PI
 
I would suspect one of two things;

1. the new battery has a dead cell from the factory so it does not retain a charge.
2. one or both of your terminal connections did not get quite tight enough and worked loose during your rides.

actually make that three things;

3. you have a bad connection at the starter.
 
And let's add a fourth thing - Did you do an initial battery charge in order to give the new battery a proper activation charge. In other words, even though you may buy a battery that has the acid already installed, that battery still needs an initial "activation" charge. A dealer or retailer typically doesn't do that. So, if you didn't do it, it most likely wasn't done. If you would ride it daily, that probably wouldn't matter. But in your case, it would. It's not too late - if you purchased the standard OEM type AGM battery, use a battery charger with an AGM setting, and give it a 2 amp charge until the charger shifts itself from Charging to Maintaining Mode. Then leave it in Maintaining Mode until you're ready to ride again. As an extra, purchase a small battery maintainer unit and use that in between rides. In rare cases, there can be add on circuits from the previous owner - if there was one - that are using battery power even though the key is off. But check into all these more common issues first.
 
Never start a hibernating engine. Let it sleep unless you intend to take it out for a long ride. Starting and running for a few minutes harms the battery and a lot more.
 
You didn't say how long you rode your Spyder since installing the new battery. As previously said, a new battery needs to be brought up to a full charge. If your 3 rides were short, like 15-20 minutes, you never replaced the capacity required to start your bike. In effect, what you were doing was drawing the battery down with each ride. OTOH if you rode an hour or more each time then you have another problem like bad battery (it happens), loose terminal, ground, etc. Good luck..... Jim
 
Battery

:coffee: Just curious about your new battery. Did you install the battery or someone else?
What brand did you purchase?
Definitely need to ryde your Spyder for about an hour or more each Ryde Time.

Sometimes you can get a bad battery.
Have it checked out for a problem.

Good Luck with your Mission. ....:thumbup:
 
Thanks for all the suggestions folks.

Just let me add, if you haven't put STAR washers on the terminals ..... it's necessary to keep the connections tight .... Spyders are known " shakers " ..... good luck .... Mike
 
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Mike -- We Need Your Star Washer Guidance!

Mike -- Star Washers are subtle technology of the highest order. And we need your guidance on proper installation on our precious rides. So here are our questions:

1. Do we place a star washer between the bolt and lug?
2. Do we place a star washer between the lug and terminal?
3. If we have two lugs (eg, FuzeBlock power) do we place a star washer between them?
4. If we use a flat washer between the bolt and lug, which side do we place the star washer?
5. If we use a flat washer between the lug and terminal, which side do we place the star washer?

Many of us are putting together gift wish lists so we need your unparalleled wisdom soonest.

Seasons Greetings and all our best to you Mike.
:bowdown:
 
Mike -- Star Washers are subtle technology of the highest order. And we need your guidance on proper installation on our precious rides. So here are our questions:

1. Do we place a star washer between the bolt and lug?
2. Do we place a star washer between the lug and terminal?
3. If we have two lugs (eg, FuzeBlock power) do we place a star washer between them?
4. If we use a flat washer between the bolt and lug, which side do we place the star washer?
5. If we use a flat washer between the lug and terminal, which side do we place the star washer?

Many of us are putting together gift wish lists so we need your unparalleled wisdom soonest.

Seasons Greetings and all our best to you Mike.
:bowdown:

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: ....IMHO :gaah: .... The last thing I add to a terminal is the STAR washer, then use a nut ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:
 
Tried charging the battery. Still won’t start. Reacts just like it did in the video I posted before. I guess I will have to get it towed to the dealer.
 
If you or someone you know has a power pack, try starting using one of those.
 
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If you or someone you know has a power pack, try starting using one of those.

OR .... if you have another veh. (12v) just try using "jumper" cables. ... I would not have the other veh. running, just use their battery ..... Mike
 
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Battery Issues

Tried charging the battery. Still won’t start. Reacts just like it did in the video I posted before. I guess I will have to get it towed to the dealer.

We are trying to help you with your problem.
It would make things easier if you gave some additional information.
What brand of battery did you purchase?
Was it installed by you or a dealer?
What is the voltage of the battery?
Add to the story my friend.
 
That Crank speed is very slow!

djames4 -- that is a very slow starter crank speed.

Did your seven-year-old battery crank that slowly? How many seconds before the engine started?

Did your new battery for the first three rides crank that slowly? How many seconds before the engine started?

How many miles on your 2014?
 
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Hey Spyder Heads, just wanted to share my experience with my 2014 Spyder RT.

I've been having issues with the battery dying way faster than usual. I've just noticed a something - I'm now thinking the Bluetooth someway somehow is draining the battery. Either way, I'm sick of it dying out, and I'm hoping I've come up with a possible solution, as drastic as it may be!

I've decided I'll just disconnect the battery whenever I leave it overnight or on extended days when I may not drive it for whatever reason...

IDK what else to do, TBH!
 
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After reading information about Spyder batteries going dead if you don't ride regularly I bought a battery tender for mine like this one:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Battery-Tender-0-75-Amp-12-Volt-Car-Battery-Charger/1002650248

It has a short section of the cable that connects to your battery, with a quick disconnect plug and a cap to cover the disconnect joint.
When you pull your bike into your garage, you uncover the plug and connect it to the "tender" part, which plugs into an outlet on the wall.
 
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