Help... dead RT-S

[rpeiffer]

I was going to ride the spyder to work this morning, but when I turned the key on, there was absolutely nothing... no display or anything. The only thing I can think that may be the cause is just before I rode it two days ago I unplugged the two gauges to get the more accurate bar graphs on the display. I just left the wire plugs hanging behind the dash so I'm wondering if battery power got shorted to ground thereby draining the battery. I didn't even take time to check battery voltage as I had to take another vehicle and get to work. I don't see how either one of the gauge harness could short the battery as there would be no power to them when the ignition is off. I rode it for half an hour after unplugging them with no problems. Anyone had this happpen or have a suggestion? It's only got 3500 miles on the clock. I guess it could be completely different issue that just coincides with the gauges being unplugged.

Russ

 

[Y Rider]

My first guess would be a dead battery. Check the voltage at the 12V accessory socket in the back trunk. If it's dead then check any wiring that you got into when unplugging the meters. Could have also blown a fuse so check for that also.

 

[rpeiffer]

Thanks. Can you tell me where the fuse is located?

 

[Y Rider]

Thanks. Can you tell me where the fuse is located?

Standing in front of the Spyder It's in the front trunk left back wall behind the liner. Pop the fuse box cover off and you'll see the fuses.

 

[boborgera]

:dontknow:
One of two things Happened, The lose wires blew a fuse, or drained the battery.opcorn:

 

[rpeiffer]

:dontknow:
One of two things Happened, The lose wires blew a fuse, or drained the battery.opcorn:

Or... another issue altogether, which I hope is not the case.

 

[IWN2RYD]

We ran for a year with those unplugged and never had this issue. The plugs are designed to slide over the contact points and surround them completely. Once pulled off there is no power going to the two outer gauges, and it is VERY hard for the now loose wires to come into contact with any exposed anything because of the design.

That said.. I have see weirder things happen.

IF!!!! You have no headlights, brake-lights etc... My guess is a bad battery ground or something else has drained it. Yes a fuse could be bad, but other items would still work in most cases...

 

[rpeiffer]

We ran for a year with those unplugged and never had this issue. The plugs are designed to slide over the contact points and surround them completely. Once pulled off there is no power going to the two outer gauges, and it is VERY hard for the now loose wires to come into contact with any exposed anything because of the design.

That said.. I have see weirder things happen.

IF!!!! You have no headlights, brake-lights etc... My guess is a bag battery ground or something else has drained it. Yes a fuse could be bad, but other items would still work in most cases...

I agree with you about the connectors not being able to short to anything. Otherwise, if I thought there was any chance of it happening, I would have wrapped them with electrical tape.
Not sure what you mean by "bag battery ground"? A typo maybe?

 

[IWN2RYD]

I agree with you about the connectors not being able to short to anything. Otherwise, if I thought there was any chance of it happening, I would have wrapped them with electrical tape.
Not sure what you mean by "bag battery ground"? A typo maybe?

hahahha! pps: pps: pps:

Yep.. I meant Bad... oh my!

 

[Dudley]

I would go with a "not tight enough" battery connection. For whatever strange reason, batteries will not properly charge if the cables are not TIGHT, as in your knuckles turn white in getting them tight. This seems to give the battery just enough charge to keep it charging until it dies from "malnutrition".

 

[rpeiffer]

I would go with a "not tight enough" battery connection. For whatever strange reason, batteries will not properly charge if the cables are not TIGHT, as in your knuckles turn white in getting them tight. This seems to give the battery just enough charge to keep it charging until it dies from "malnutrition".

I just had it a the dealer a few weeks ago because the analog tach was intermittently not working. They said it was due to a loose battery cable, so I just assumed they checked all of them, but maybe not. I did notice the tach was not working again the other day for a little while.
I think I'm going to be having it towed to the dealer, I'm afraid. :gaah:

 

[docdoru]

I would go with a "not tight enough" battery connection. For whatever strange reason, batteries will not properly charge if the cables are not TIGHT, as in your knuckles turn white in getting them tight. This seems to give the battery just enough charge to keep it charging until it dies from "malnutrition".

:agree: mostly is the ground battery cable

 

[rpeiffer]

Turns out it's just dumbass owner error :gaah:
Nothing to do with the gauges being unplugged... the heater on the Corbin seat was left on. So, I'm definitely going to correct that situation from happening again. I thought the first owner told me that it had circuitry that shuts off power to the seat heaters if left on 20 min or so after the engine is off.... but, that's not the case. I'm going to put a relay inline and connect it to a switched 12v source. I'm really surprised that Corbin would wire them that way... it's just asking for problems. Lesson learned.

 

[Mr. White]

I am sure you know this, but I put a Battery Tender on the battery 24/7 and have my Wing and scooter too...for years with great rusults. You have very convenient cigerette plug in the RT trunk and with a pigtail you can plug it in easily....JMHO

 

[IWN2RYD]

Turns out it's just dumbass owner error :gaah:
Nothing to do with the gauges being unplugged... the heater on the Corbin seat was left on. So, I'm definitely going to correct that situation from happening again. I thought the first owner told me that it had circuitry that shuts off power to the seat heaters if left on 20 min or so after the engine is off.... but, that's not the case. I'm going to put a relay inline and connect it to a switched 12v source. I'm really surprised that Corbin would wire them that way... it's just asking for problems. Lesson learned.

We are very pleased to read this. These kind of lessons are much easier to deal with than ghost issues that our dealers fish through from time to time :congrats::thumbup:

And +1 with Red's comments... Our dealer adds the pigtail on every Spyder they sell for the battery tender.:firstplace:

 

[rpeiffer]

I also have a cigarette plug in the glove compartment. I plug a float (maintenance) charger into that one, but only when it's not being ridden for long periods. In this case though, I don't think a maintenance charger would have kept up with the current draw of a seat heater element.