DPS out again after update

[Andouille]

Last week the steering on the wife's Spyder started locking up. Brought it in today and did the update. On my way home (approximately 50 miles from the dealer), it started locking again. Now it seems worst than before and can hardely make a lane change. Called the dealer and of course, said bring it in again. It got so bad before I got home, I think I will borrow a trailer to bring it back. A question for those who have experienced this issue, have it ever been corrected?

I sure hope it can be fixed because the wife really loves her spyder, but she has already lost a lot of confidence and I really would not want her riding it again until we are sure the problem has been corrected.

 

[groundeffect]

Last week the steering on the wife's Spyder started locking up. Brought it in today and did the update. On my way home (approximately 50 miles from the dealer), it started locking again. Now it seems worst than before and can hardely make a lane change. Called the dealer and of course, said bring it in again. It got so bad before I got home, I think I will borrow a trailer to bring it back.

:yikes:

A question for those who have experienced this issue, have it ever been corrected?

GREAT questions - I do not own a Spyder at the moment (I'm researching and looking to purchase one, perhaps), but from what I've read so far, it appears the DPS units are being replaced. From what I understand the replacement units can still fail. I may be wrong, so more experienced Spyder riders will chime in, I hope.

but she has already lost a lot of confidence

Aside from the safety issues that may occur from a steering issue, the loss of confidence in the vehicle is another serous problem, imho.


I wish you and your wife safety and luck.
Cheers,

 

[Andouille]

Thanks groundeffects. I sure hope they can find a solution as my wife really loves her spyder (even with the DPS issue, I enjoyed the ride today, different from my Harley, but nice). While they were working on mine, I got a chance to ride a RT, that thing is really nice, but hope they don't have the same problems. In fact, when my Harley days are over (probably soon), I think I'll be looking at the RT for myself.

Although serious, this is the only problem we've had with the Spyder. If a solution is found, then I could "highly" recommend it to everyone.

 

[groundeffect]

Thanks for your note. I'm still researching the possibilities.

While they were working on mine, I got a chance to ride a RT,

Can you compare the RT riding feeling to your RS?

thanks

 

[dave01]

Thanks groundeffects. I sure hope they can find a solution as my wife really loves her spyder (even with the DPS issue, I enjoyed the ride today, different from my Harley, but nice). While they were working on mine, I got a chance to ride a RT, that thing is really nice, but hope they don't have the same problems. In fact, when my Harley days are over (probably soon), I think I'll be looking at the RT for myself.

Although serious, this is the only problem we've had with the Spyder. If a solution is found, then I could "highly" recommend it to everyone.

PLEASE make sure you file a report with the NHTSA. I have included the link here. You will not see the Spyder listed under motorcycles, they put it under cars for some reason.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

 

[Smylinacha]

I had the lock up twice. It never got worse - only happened two times when I was down in TN. Tech downloaded something into it while I was down there and rode it back home to CT but I was very nervous. Brought it to my dealer once I got who replaced the DPS. The one he went to replace it with failed - it wouldn't even take to the Spyder. Got a third one and it worked. But I haven't been able to put too many miles on it since then - it got cold and the bikes are in the garage now. I am hoping at Spring that it works correctly. I never had the problem where I locked up and forced it and it "over corrected". Mine locked up, I forced it and it "popped" back into place w/out over correcting. I am hoping this DPS is the fix but I won't know until the new season begins. Plus I love my dealer so if anything does happen, it will go back to him and I trust he can solve the problem. It's just trying to find the answer that is hard - there has been no "definite" answer as to why this is happening to some people. AND my dealer offered to come and get the Spyder but HDX rode it down and I followed him to the dealer. Didn't happen to him when he rode it down. I am hesitant to ryde it real fast now. The last trip we took before the season ended I was on a road where I normally like to get it up to 90-100 for a few but this time I didn't. Guess it's gonna take time to get the trust back and worries out of my head.

 

[Andouille]

Can you compare the RT riding feeling to your RS?
No comparison, the RT was a much smoother ride and a lot more comfortable for me. I'm use to a Harley Ultra Classic and it felt much more like my Harley. Also felt much larger. Of course this will cost quite a bit more $$$ than the RS. If a time comes when I can no longer go on 2 wheels and steering is corrected, I will be giving the RT some serious though, but for now I just personally rather 2 wheels for now. However, the Spyder is perfect for my wife and if the steering is corrected, I feel more at ease with her on a Spyder.

Complaint filed with the NHTSA. Hope this helps.

When the weather warms up a little, I'll bring it back to the dealer, yes, he just said bring it back. I'm either going to put it on a trailer to get it back or I just might ride it back. Will just take my time and because it did it so much on the way home, I have a better feel for it when it happens. So far it seems to work fine, but after about an hour is when it begins so if it feels good around home, I'll go until it acts up and stop if needed. No, the dealer is not very thoughtful and all I'm looking for is to get it fixed right so the wife can enjoy her riding again.

 

[Way2Fast]

In the case of BRP's Spyder......SNOW AND COLD WEATHER MIGHT SAVE LIVES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe, just maybe, by next Spring the steering problems might be solved ............

 

[Andouille]

Well picked up the Spyder today, and ride home (50-60 miles) was uneventful. Rode around town some today and everything seems to be working fine. Hope the situation has been corrected.

Here is what the service tech wrote as the problem. "Problem with the unit was losing connection between the ECM and the DPS. The ECM sends a radio frequency signal to the DPS. Because of a conflict between software versions between the two systems, the connection would interrupt, causing difficulty in turning. Then when it reconnected signals it was over correcting to the new angle of steering. After updating the ECMsoftware to match thhe recently updated DPS software two test rides were completed and the bike steered and performed properly."

They put in over 100 miles of test riding and my 60-70 miles and so far the problem has not re-occurred. Well that is much better than last time, it only made it about 40 miles before starting to lock.

 

[NancysToy]

Well picked up the Spyder today, and ride home (50-60 miles) was uneventful. Rode around town some today and everything seems to be working fine. Hope the situation has been corrected.

Here is what the service tech wrote as the problem. "Problem with the unit was losing connection between the ECM and the DPS. The ECM sends a radio frequency signal to the DPS. Because of a conflict between software versions between the two systems, the connection would interrupt, causing difficulty in turning. Then when it reconnected signals it was over correcting to the new angle of steering. After updating the ECMsoftware to match thhe recently updated DPS software two test rides were completed and the bike steered and performed properly."

They put in over 100 miles of test riding and my 60-70 miles and so far the problem has not re-occurred. Well that is much better than last time, it only made it about 40 miles before starting to lock.

Interesting! makes as much sense as anything I have heard so far. I wonder if this is why they needed to reflash Nancy's ECM when it had the steering recall update last week. Very promising!

 

[docdoru]

Interesting! makes as much sense as anything I have heard so far. I wonder if this is why they needed to reflash Nancy's ECM when it had the steering recall update last week. Very promising!

It is the faulty "ECM update" that we all eat during the first update...:dontknow:

 

[NancysToy]

It is the faulty "ECM update" that we all eat during the first update...:dontknow:

Had that, and then they tried the second ECM update. Wouldn't take, from what I understand, so they had to reflash the ECM, then reinstall. Had to submit an additional warranty claim for that one.

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

UP DATE

Well picked up the Spyder today, and ride home (50-60 miles) was uneventful. Rode around town some today and everything seems to be working fine. Hope the situation has been corrected.

Here is what the service tech wrote as the problem. "Problem with the unit was losing connection between the ECM and the DPS. The ECM sends a radio frequency signal to the DPS. Because of a conflict between software versions between the two systems, the connection would interrupt, causing difficulty in turning. Then when it reconnected signals it was over correcting to the new angle of steering. After updating the ECMsoftware to match thhe recently updated DPS software two test rides were completed and the bike steered and performed properly."

They put in over 100 miles of test riding and my 60-70 miles and so far the problem has not re-occurred. Well that is much better than last time, it only made it about 40 miles before starting to lock.

Sounds like reasonable theory----Except for the fact that most have had the first up-date and some have not had the second (including me) and have never had a problem with steering after several thousand miles. (at least yet):dontknow:


Michael:doorag:

 

[scdtrd]

Wait a minute...... why on earth would the ECM and DPS be communicating via wireless? This seems like a disaster in the works. :gaah:
It can not be more than....... 6 INCHES away... run a dedicated wire!

What if your near a Radar tower? Large electrical sub station? EMF generator? Seems illogical and foolish to do the wireless.

Just my .02

 

[j45p3r]

Wait a minute...... why on earth would the ECM and DPS be communicating via wireless? This seems like a disaster in the works. :gaah:
It can not be more than....... 6 INCHES away... run a dedicated wire!

What if your near a Radar tower? Large electrical sub station? EMF generator? Seems illogical and foolish to do the wireless.

Just my .02

It is wired. It's transmitting RF over the wire.

 

[NancysToy]

It is wired. It's transmitting RF over the wire.

Actually, the CANBus is a wired system that transmits and receives data digitally, over a single pair of wires (or multiple pairs). It does not send or receive RF, but bits of data along a wire, like other serial communications devices, the way I understand it. Signals on a CANBus are prioritized and repeated. A signal of an improper or lower priority can be overwritten by other devices. Incompatible programming could cause signals to be overridden, or lost and reset/repeated. Not saying that is what is happening here, but it's perfectly feasible.

 

[WaltH]

Well picked up the Spyder today, and ride home (50-60 miles) was uneventful. Rode around town some today and everything seems to be working fine. Hope the situation has been corrected.

Here is what the service tech wrote as the problem. "Problem with the unit was losing connection between the ECM and the DPS. The ECM sends a radio frequency signal to the DPS. Because of a conflict between software versions between the two systems, the connection would interrupt, causing difficulty in turning. Then when it reconnected signals it was over correcting to the new angle of steering. After updating the ECMsoftware to match thhe recently updated DPS software two test rides were completed and the bike steered and performed properly."

They put in over 100 miles of test riding and my 60-70 miles and so far the problem has not re-occurred. Well that is much better than last time, it only made it about 40 miles before starting to lock.

This is more information than I have ever received from my Spyder tech. I am encouraged by this even though I have a feeling he was describing the conditions surrounding the first update only. I am assuming the second update dealt only with remapping the fuel mixture and did not deal with the DPS firmware. So far, I have only the first update and not the second one. What puzzles me now is why so many owners have had trouble with the steering after the first update. In some cases, this has occurred after thousands of miles (even tens of thousands). It seems like we have more incidents of steering failure after the first update than we did before the first update. BRP routinely replaces the DPS hardware when a failure occurs. One would think they would not have to replace the hardware in order to change the firmware. There seems to be something going on here that is not covered by the technician's explanation. That something would be the "post first update conditions". I continue to believe the problem will be solved, eventually. There are, after all, a limited number of factors which can cause this problem. If every thing else fails, BRP could probably re-engineer the whole steering system. Like most of the other systems on the Spyder, the steering system probably consists pretty much of "off the shelf" items. Manufacturers do not re-invent the wheel, if they don't have to do so.

 

[Andouille]

I see there seems to be a lot of questions, but computer systems are out of my league. Mechanics, I can handle and fix or work on most anything, but when it comes to electronics, I can just listen.

As for my ride home and around home, I tried it at all speeds up to about 75 mph and around town in the 24-45 mph range and have not seen any problems. Before the first update, it only seemed to be happening at 58-59 mph, other than this speed it worked fine. After the first update it did it at all speeds including just about stopped making a left hand turn.

I did not get a chance to ride since we brought it home, but looks like I'll get a chance to try it more this weekend and will let you know how it works out. I'm trying to put a few more miles on it again before my wife starts riding it again (maybe this weekend) with me following on my bike. She's ready and can't wait to get back on.