Intermittent Power Steering problem

[C3517C]

Steering probs.

I didn't realize this problem was as wide spread as it apparently is, but I got a real dose of reality today. I've had the upgrades and my tires are perfectly inflated. I was riding a crowded highway at about 65 MPH, going into a turn. As I tried to turn the bike I really had to muscle it, and started to drift out of my lane. As I was cranking the handler bars hard,the power steering kicked in hard and fast. I'm not sure how I kept it on the road, but it was about as close to a real bad ending as you can get. Only a few miles later, it happened again. I managed to get it to dealer and they are going to try a few of the things the others have mentioned. They have been good about it so I'm trying to keep a positive outlook. It seems that maybe Can Am has not reacted to this problem with the sense of urgency one would expect. Thanks to all of you who have have contributed to getting this straightened out.

 

[ataDude]

Sounds like this:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7831
.

I didn't realize this problem was as wide spread as it apparently is, but I got a real dose of reality today. I've had the upgrades and my tires are perfectly inflated. I was riding a crowded highway at about 65 MPH, going into a turn. As I tried to turn the bike I really had to muscle it, and started to drift out of my lane. As I was cranking the handler bars hard,the power steering kicked in hard and fast. I'm not sure how I kept it on the road, but it was about as close to a real bad ending as you can get. Only a few miles later, it happened again. I managed to get it to dealer and they are going to try a few of the things the others have mentioned. They have been good about it so I'm trying to keep a positive outlook. It seems that maybe Can Am has not reacted to this problem with the sense of urgency one would expect. Thanks to all of you who have have contributed to getting this straightened out.

 

[xpeschon]

Ok I turned in the Spyder at Lunch time today,, Actually it took a little longer then the normal Lunch hours but my boss gave me the green light so I went and dropped it off... One of the guys took it for a test ride right after I arrived and he said that there is something going on there thats not normal and will get to it in a couple days, so therefore I (Like always) will keep you posted but for right now its at the dealer...
Joe

 

[xpeschon]

Up-Date: I got the old famous call yesturday from the dealer,, it went something like this

" I just want to keep you posted on your spyder,, we contacted BRP and they said that you are not the only one having the problem and that they would get back with them (the dealer) on Monday or Tuesday with a fix"

Sounds as though we have all heard this statement before,,, I'm just waiting now while the spyder sit's up there.. I do have another bike though so it's not all bad right?

Joe

 

[BumbleBee]

Up-Date: I got the old famous call yesturday from the dealer,, it went something like this

" I just want to keep you posted on your spyder,, we contacted BRP and they said that you are not the only one having the problem and that they would get back with them (the dealer) on Monday or Tuesday with a fix"

Sounds as though we have all heard this statement before,,, I'm just waiting now while the spyder sit's up there.. I do have another bike though so it's not all bad right?

Joe

But, it's not a spyder!!! Time to get a second one :f_spider:

 

[xpeschon]

You are correct,, its a 1998 Honda Aero 1,100 that has never been in the shop, Well almost never been in the shop, I'm not set up for tire replacement so it has been in a few times to get rubber put on it,,,, old faithful as I call it,,, Never has let me down yet...

Joe

 

[Mo Lee]

You are correct,, its a 1998 Honda Aero 1,100 that has never been in the shop, Well almost never been in the shop, I'm not set up for tire replacement so it has been in a few times to get rubber put on it,,,, old faithful as I call it,,, Never has let me down yet...

Joe

Thats why I have two Honda's just in case one needs rubber (as in last week).

 

[xpeschon]

Roger that.. Hey Lee was you at Skyline about 1:30 today with your Valk? I was on I-44 headed to the Lake... I thought I saw you in front of the store talking with someone while you where sitting on the Valk.. Just thought I'd ask..
Joe

 

[Mo Lee]

Roger that.. Hey Lee was you at Skyline about 1:30 today with your Valk? I was on I-44 headed to the Lake... I thought I saw you in front of the store talking with someone while you where sitting on the Valk.. Just thought I'd ask..
Joe

Yea that was me I went for a road test (speedo) and saw a Valk there on a trailer. Had to stop and let them know Valkyries aren't supposed to be on trailers and met a new owner trying to get the carbs cleaned on one that has been sitting too long.

 

[Extracool]

Power steering problem

Had the same problem after the power steering update and coil ground up- date. The power steering goes dead in a turn, you muscle the turn and all of a sudden the power steering kicks back in, you talk about oversteer,you are lucky to get control without flipping the spyder, happened 3 times in 45 miles. Took spyder to East Tennessee Powersports and they reloaded program and computer says replace the powersteering pump which they did. BRP said that this was just effecting the 2008's I was told that the replacement unit looks just like the original but that the internal parts are 2009. Rode a lot today no problem and a noticeable less effort a low speeds to turn, more like powersteering is supposed to be.:2thumbs:

 

[Extracool]

Power Steering problem

Unusual experience with dealer repairing my powersteering unit, East Tennessee Powersports ordered my powersteering unit the day after I took it in for repairs and only a day delay because they were open on a Holiday and BRP was not. They tracked the powersteering unit to let me know when it crossed the Canada ck point and kept track of it and the day before it was supposed to arrive, tore my spyder down and had it ready for the new part when it came in, had it ready for me the next morning,I have never had that kind of service before, I could get used to this.:clap:

 

[xpeschon]

Get this,, I got the call from the dealer today and here is what he told me,, First of all I really have a hard time believing this but here it is:: They said they sent a FILE to BRP,, ( according to them it was a file from the computer system on my spyder),,, BRP told them that there BUDS system can only do so much and that they may need to dispatch a person to the dealership from BRP (yah thats right CANADA) and have them hook up there computer cause it can do a whole lot more then just the average dealership computer!!! Now should I beleive this or not? I really have a hard, infact a really hard time with this,, I vented my fustration a bit and simply told them that I am in no hurry for the spyder however, once I do get it back I DO NOT want to keep bringing it back and forth for the same issuie.. Now would you beleive this statement? He told me also that if they decide they are going to do this he is not sure when it will happen... Hopefully next week.. I will be out of town from the 28th till the 2nd of Oct and when I get back I'm gonna want to pick it up for sure... Lets just see what the next couple of days bring along.. More to follow but for now,,, What are your thoughts peoples?

Joe

 

[NancysToy]

Get this,, I got the call from the dealer today and here is what he told me,, First of all I really have a hard time believing this but here it is:: They said they sent a FILE to BRP,, ( according to them it was a file from the computer system on my spyder),,, BRP told them that there BUDS system can only do so much and that they may need to dispatch a person to the dealership from BRP (yah thats right CANADA) and have them hook up there computer cause it can do a whole lot more then just the average dealership computer!!! Now should I beleive this or not? I really have a hard, infact a really hard time with this,, I vented my fustration a bit and simply told them that I am in no hurry for the spyder however, once I do get it back I DO NOT want to keep bringing it back and forth for the same issuie.. Now would you beleive this statement? He told me also that if they decide they are going to do this he is not sure when it will happen... Hopefully next week.. I will be out of town from the 28th till the 2nd of Oct and when I get back I'm gonna want to pick it up for sure... Lets just see what the next couple of days bring along.. More to follow but for now,,, What are your thoughts peoples?

Joe

What's not to believe? I sure would quibble about getting a factory tech to look at my Spyder. You want it right, so can you think of a better way? I'm sure there are things the factory can do that dealers can't. They disabled the nanny for track testing, and shot videos to show the difference. They also have access to the fuel mapping and other parameters that dealers do not. What do you have to lose? Go for it!

 

[Extracool]

Power steering problems

I had the new power steering unit and the BUDS program downloaded, lasted a day and the transmission would not downshift on hills, like heading up a long hill with a straight drive and no downshifting,it boggs down unless you downshift. On a short steep s curve that we usually pull in 3rd with 2 up, engine would almost die in 1st, no pwr, headed back to dealer, 10 mins from dealer ,the DPS started scrolling across the screen, dealer had 4 wheeler in the bay and pulled out and put our spyder in and checked with BUDS,it needed loading again, everything back to normal for the time being,mechanic said that if it happened again, would probably have to replace the DPS sensor.:chat:.We were in and out in 20 minutes.Mechanic even took throttle appart and laid the WD40 to the cables, much smoother and quicker responce,thanks Jason.

 

[Mo Lee]

Get this,, I got the call from the dealer today and here is what he told me,, First of all I really have a hard time believing this but here it is:: They said they sent a FILE to BRP,, ( according to them it was a file from the computer system on my spyder),,, BRP told them that there BUDS system can only do so much and that they may need to dispatch a person to the dealership from BRP (yah thats right CANADA) and have them hook up there computer cause it can do a whole lot more then just the average dealership computer!!! Now should I beleive this or not? I really have a hard, infact a really hard time with this,, I vented my fustration a bit and simply told them that I am in no hurry for the spyder however, once I do get it back I DO NOT want to keep bringing it back and forth for the same issuie.. Now would you beleive this statement? He told me also that if they decide they are going to do this he is not sure when it will happen... Hopefully next week.. I will be out of town from the 28th till the 2nd of Oct and when I get back I'm gonna want to pick it up for sure... Lets just see what the next couple of days bring along.. More to follow but for now,,, What are your thoughts peoples?

Joe

Based on what you were told and how long others have had to go without their Spyders it sounds like BRP should provide loaner Spyders to the dealers.

 

[xpeschon]

NancyToys--- Yah I hear and I do hope what he says is true but again I just have a hard time beleiving that BRP would send a rep. from all the way from Cananda just to take a look at what appears to me is a simple fix, I'll keep my fingers crossed.. Now if they do--Well I guess I would be impressed with there concern of owners Spyders,, time will tell for sure..

LEE--I'm with you on this one,, I don't see that happening but maybe if I speak with Lynn he maybe able to do something for me.. I did state to them that I am in no hurry but again, I don't want it to be in the shop for months, what I meant is basically I'd like to have it fixed before the 2nd of October when I get back.. Hell I may just cruise up there on Saturday and speak with them who knows..

Extracool-- I wish we all had dealerships like the one you are speaking of, it seems as though you have really GREAT luck with these people..

Thanks to all and I will keep you posted..
Joe

 

[Smylinacha]

I had a weird steering issue that happened twice in 2 days - in TN now and they both happened when I was going around 40 mph and was taking curve that went to the right. It sort of got "stuck" there and I had to push it back to center. Only happened twice. But the BRP guy at Lamont's looked at it and said there was a steering issue and I got some update from him with his laptop so hopefully it won't happen again - it sort of scared me. Was cool he was there and offered to look at it!:2thumbs:

 

[xpeschon]

Day 23 and no spyder yet.. Heres the deal.. The BRP rep showed up from Canada but was 7 days late, yeap thats right the spyder sat there for a week not being touched.. He showed up Monday evening and went for a test ride with my spyder on Tuesday, infact when the Service guy called me he stated that he ( BRP person) had been on it all day, which I wasn't to excited about however, according to the Service guy he (again the BRP guy) said the power steering acted just perfect and that it never once lost power steering, Well they still decided to install the new DPS unit anyway in the hopes that this would satisfy me I guess and told me that it would be ready today.. Well come to find out that the BRP rep departed the dealership early thusmorning to travel to Wisconson,, About 4:00 I got yet another phone call from the Service guys say that the installation of the DPS did not go well and that there is NO POWER steering at all and that its running like **** and there is NO WAY it will be ready today and that they have already the BRP guy and informed him----He said that he would be in contact with them again tomorrow to try and fix the issuie... The bottom line is simple-----------I have lost my confidence in the dealership and the Spyder is WORSE---WAY WORSE then it was when it was first brought in 23 days ago......... I plan on JUMPING on the desk tomorrow afternoon cause I took a 1/2 day off in order to drive the 50 miles to check it out a bit closer and also to dis-cuss a loaner---Heres the deal I told him yesturday I needed it back by Friday morning cause I plan on traveling to Minnesota over the long week-end, come hell or high water I am going to do the best to get a loaner out of them for my trip..... I may not get one but I will at least try and if I get turned down thats alright I will then know where we both stand in this whole ordeal..
Any thoughts on this one folks? I think I may need a sanity check from you all..
Thanks in advance.
Joe

 

[xpeschon]

I got the Spyder back yesturday.. I have not yet Test Drove it to see how the Power Steering is going to act but I do plan on going on a couple hundred mile run on Sunday,, that is if the weather holds up.. I will keep you posted

Joe

 

[Mo Lee]

Glad you got it back, hope it drives perfect and you now get many trouble free miles.