I need "Major" help and advice with dead battery.

[Air Force PAO]

Howdy. I am about to relate my story about my dead battery and know that the best help and advice is here in SpyderLovers.

I have a 2011 RT Ltd. AND, the weather here in central Texas along with many other places is horrible. Yet, I rode the bike to work this morning. When I got on it at 5 p.m., the "Can Am" logo flashed on the display screen for about a second and then nothing!!

The bike won't start!

I tried jumping it with my wife's car. It won't crank. I left cables on about 10 minutes. I tried the horn. It honked once and then nothing. The blue lights outlining the four toggle switches on the center "console" blinked a couple times then nothing.

I left the bike parked outside at work.

Tomorrow, I plan to take a charger and power cord to charge the battery. Hopefully it will start so I can drive it home to repair.

I have a question.....IF the charge does not take because the battery is completely shot, why can't I buy a new battery and two long battery cable from Wal Mart, disconnect the old battery, and attach the old cables with the new cables, set the battery on the back seat and drive home.?

 

[SAR41]

Yes

you should be able to do that. Just make sure you tape up the connection on the positive cable connection so it does not short out on any metal on the bike. If cables are long enough try to put battery in frunk or back compartment. Tie down battery so you dont end up dragging it home.

 

[one2doo]

Sounds like battery died. Test battery might not take a charge.

 

[Chupaca]

Here's the thing..!!

if you could not jump it you have other issues. Once jumped the unit should run even with the dead battery and as long as you don't turn it off should keep runningtill you do. There seems to be a connection problem. While living and working on bike in Texas corrosion on terminals was common because of the weather. If you find it charges you will still need to check the connections and if your there, and the battery is bad, why not just change it out..?? Less risky than driving about with a battery strapped to the back seat with jumpers...:dontknow:

 

[StanProff]

Howdy. I am about to relate my story about my dead battery and know that the best help and advice is here in SpyderLovers.

I have a 2011 RT Ltd. AND, the weather here in central Texas along with many other places is horrible. Yet, I rode the bike to work this morning. When I got on it at 5 p.m., the "Can Am" logo flashed on the display screen for about a second and then nothing!!

The bike won't start!

I tried jumping it with my wife's car. It won't crank. I left cables on about 10 minutes. I tried the horn. It honked once and then nothing. The blue lights outlining the four toggle switches on the center "console" blinked a couple times then nothing.

I left the bike parked outside at work.

Tomorrow, I plan to take a charger and power cord to charge the battery. Hopefully it will start so I can drive it home to repair.



I have a question.....IF the charge does not take because the battery is completely shot, why can't I buy a new battery and two long battery cable from Wal Mart, disconnect the old battery, and attach the old cables with the new cables, set the battery on the back seat and drive home.?

I have to assume that you put the jumper cables on the post under the seat. If the bike still didn't start I am thinking that a new battery connected at the same point would not do anything either. The cables have a tendency to vibrate loose at the battery post on the battery. I always checked those at least once a year and would usually find the ground cable loose enough to move back and forth. It doesn't take much for the battery to stop charging or not make connection. I hope it will start for you and you can get it home. Those post at the battery are a little hard to get to but that may be worth checking before buying a battery.

 

[Ben Burped]

Yes it's the connections at the battery.

Plan to work your way to the battery following the instructions and while you are there put in a new battery. Then snug up the connections and smear a little grease on the battery terminals. Now put everything back in the order that you removed it. Take it from a professional technician, you won't regret it.

 

[Phil]

BEFORE YOU SPEND MONEY....

Do one simple thing--- double check the connection tightness AT THE BATTERY terminals. All of your symptoms can also be indicative of one or both of the bold being loose. I have seen this multiple times here and have experienced it 1x myself.

But yes... it could also be a battery that is shot.

 

[jerpinoy]

Check your alternator if it charges the battery after you install a new battery.

 

[Bob Denman]

Connections...
OR
The Four year-old Battery?

Checking the connections is the cheapest solution; but you'll still need to get it started, and get it home.

If it's NOT the battery; my guess is that it's time is pretty well used-up anyway. I'd plan on replacing it.
I actually don't care for the idea of strapping a battery to the seat, and using it as an alternate power source...
The "insurance guy"in me,is thinking that the connections are going be really stressed.:shocked:
Better off to just take a fully-charged replacement to the bike, and swap it out before the ride home! :thumbup:

 

[Air Force PAO]

Help with RT battery replacement

As soon as I finish my morning school bus run tomorrow, my buddy and I are set to change out the battery in the parking lot. Got all the tools, clothes, and time.

I changed the battery in my 2010 about six months ago, so I figure a couple of hours should get it done.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bob Denman]

Good Luck! :2thumbs:
Please let us know how the transplant surgery goes...

 

[Air Force PAO]

RT Battery installation

Done deal. Nice job. Welcome home.

I spent two hours in the rain with my ryding buddy, Matt, pulling out the old battery and putting in a new one. As soon as the connections were complete, the RT fired right up. Everything works great. Even the clock kept the correct time.

Now, to relax and watch some football.

Thanks to all who helped me.