Got a VSS Fault and Limp Mode today, then it cleared?! Your thoughts?

[ThreeWheels]

Riding today, in fairly decent weather, I got a VSS fault and the Spyder went into limp mode.
No rain, but cloudy.
In limp mode I couldn't exceed 70 MPH. I should say that it went into limp mode on the highway at about 75 MPH. Thus the 70 MPH limit.
I rode for another couple of minutes like this and then I stopped at a safe location.
Turned the bike off, and waited for the load shedding relays to shut down.
After another 2 minutes, I started the bike, still had the VSS fault. Limp mode again.
At that point, after a dead start, riding it, I couldn't exceed 60 MPH.
I rode like that for about 5 minutes, and VOILA, VSS fault and limp mode cleared.
I'm thinking that while driving some dirt got on one of the wheel sensors to cause the fault, and further driving cleared the sensor off, but I'm just guessing.
I'd sure like to hear other people's thoughts. I'm not sure I need any service or not. It's always hard to diagnose a problem after it's corrected itself.

 

[Woodaddict]

A VSS is not a permanent fault, only a temporary fault caused by parameters of safe driving exceeded. Limp mode will NOT let you drive at 70mph.The wheel sensors are the slotted disks on the wheels. They are quite wide of spaces and would take alot of dirt or mud to fill them so sensor can't read the spaces. As long as you were NOT hitting foot brake, yep, even a side type of tap can set off the switch and cause VSS or limp mode. I have gotten the flashing lightening bolt icon when driving aggressively in turns, it will take off throttle for a few seconds, but has not put me in limp mode at a slow speed

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

A VSS is not a permanent fault, only a temporary fault caused by parameters of safe driving exceeded. Limp mode will NOT let you drive at 70mph.The wheel sensors are the slotted disks on the wheels. They are quite wide and would take alot of dirt or mud to fill them so sensor can't read the spaces. As long as you were NOT hitting foot brake, yep, even a side type of tap can set off the switch and cause VSS or limp mode. I have gotten the flashing lightening bolt icon when driving aggressively in turns, it will take off throttle for a few seconds, but has not put me in limp mode at a slow speed

:agree: ... lately I've been getting LIMP MODE ( code P0177 ? ) on a regular basis .... I can accelerate at max throttle and far exceed any speed limits ..... So LIMP MODE doesn't always Mean LIMP Mode .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[RayBJ]

I had the exact condition last year. It turned out to be the brake switch sticking 'on' and trying to accelerate in a turn. Nanny didn't like that. I bought & installed the switch myself and it's been good for the last 10,000 mile. (It was under warranty but I wasn't willing to 'lose' my ride for god knows how long at the dealer.)

The brake switch recall adds another return spring so check w/dealer if yours is in scope.

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Yes, 3 Wheels. Ray is correct. That's exactly what happens when the Brake Light Switch sticks ON with no corresponding increase in brake system pressure.

You have a 2020 RT. ALL 2020 Spyder RT's were subject to the recall. Read....

https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/e...stay-illuminated-increased-risk-of-crash.html

If you haven't gotten the letter, then maybe the previous owner, if any, did. If you have gotten the letter, then get it done. It's a safety Recall. Won't cost you anything.

 

[ThreeWheels]

Just an update for those kind enough to consider my problem.

On the 2020 RTL, there is a small portion of the footboard immediately to the right of the brake pedal.
I think I was resting my foot on that portion of the floorboard and accidentally contacted the brake.
After moving my foot to a more normal position, the VSS cleared.
Yes, there is an open recall for the brake switch. I'm thinking of there was a failure of the switch, the VSS fault would not have cleared.
All is good now. I need to wash the road grime off the bike.

Thanks !

 

[gkamer]

Riding today, in fairly decent weather, I got a VSS fault and the Spyder went into limp mode.
No rain, but cloudy.
In limp mode I couldn't exceed 70 MPH. I should say that it went into limp mode on the highway at about 75 MPH. Thus the 70 MPH limit.
I rode for another couple of minutes like this and then I stopped at a safe location.
Turned the bike off, and waited for the load shedding relays to shut down.
After another 2 minutes, I started the bike, still had the VSS fault. Limp mode again.
At that point, after a dead start, riding it, I couldn't exceed 60 MPH.
I rode like that for about 5 minutes, and VOILA, VSS fault and limp mode cleared.
I'm thinking that while driving some dirt got on one of the wheel sensors to cause the fault, and further driving cleared the sensor off, but I'm just guessing.
I'd sure like to hear other people's thoughts. I'm not sure I need any service or not. It's always hard to diagnose a problem after it's corrected itself.

I had an almost exact situation occur to me 2 weeks ago. Riding on the interstate, nice sunny, warm day, and the cruise control suddenly disengaged. I reset it and a few minutes later it disengaged again and would not reengage.

Then the VSS icon appeared on the dash, check engine light was blinking and Limp Mode message appeared. My Spyder appeared to still be running fine so I continued for about 50 miles till I got home. I checked for fault codes and got a C006C and C0040.

After the bike cooled down I restarted it. All dash warnings were gone. I took a quick spin around the block and when I got home I checked the fault codes again and they had also cleared.

A couple of days later, while riding down the interstate the same thing happened. I went through the same procedures as mentioned above with the same results. Warning indicators gone and fault codes cleared. But just to do my due diligence, I took it in to the dealer and they ran a diagnostic. They also found the fault codes in BUSS and cleared them. They said they did a computer update but were unable to duplicate the situation.

In thinking about it I came to the conclusion that my right foot may have been up against, but not actually on the brake pedal. That would explain why the cruise control disengaged twice and could also have been the source of my Limp Mode issues. My foot might have applied just enough pressure against the pedal for the bike to register I was applying the brake but not slowing down, thus generating the Limp Mode situation. Since then, I’ve put about 200 miles on the bike, this time focusing on making sure my right foot was well away from the brake pedal. No problems since.