Power steering disconnected

[Way2Fast]

Today I finally got a chance to drive my Spyder with both power steering fuses pulled. I notice NO difference in how it turns. I can go at a crawl and the bars are as easy to turn as they are at speed. Perhaps my power steering has never worked....either way I can't see why anyone would complain about not having it, the vehicle operates fine and is easy to control . If my power steering has been inoperative from day one, this only confirms my opinion that some of the steering problems I and other owners have experienced are due to the VSS and not the DPS. Since I never had my steering "lock" as some other owners did, I think the DPS might be compounding the situation and making the unintended lane change issue worse. I never had either of the updates and do not intend to until BRP finds a fix for our problems that works. From what I read here, the updates cause too many driveability problems including the unintended directional changes....issues that were never experienced before ! Since I decline to be an unpaid "Test Rider" for BRP, my Spyder will remain in the garage until that time when the problems are properly diagnosed and can be correctly repaired. Half-ass fixes don't count !!

By the way, my instrument cluster shows no message with the DPS fuses pulled.

 

[Spydr in KS]

Today I finally got a chance to drive my Spyder with both power steering fuses pulled. I notice NO difference in how it turns. I can go at a crawl and the bars are as easy to turn as they are at speed.

"my Spyder will remain in the garage until that time when the problems are properly diagnosed and can be correctly repaired."

:hun: If you don't have a problem, ride your Spyder and enjoy. There is no need to add more fuel to the fire here with these posts.

 

[Way2Fast]

:hun: If you don't have a problem, ride your Spyder and enjoy. There is no need to add more fuel to the fire here with these posts.

I did have a problem. My Spyder decided on it's own to make a left turn into the opposing traffic lane. I believe the more owners find out about what may be the cause of the problem the better (and safer) all of us will be. Probably the only one who is afraid of any fuel being added to the fire is BRP !

 

[Firefly]

Today I finally got a chance to drive my Spyder with both power steering fuses pulled. I notice NO difference in how it turns. I can go at a crawl and the bars are as easy to turn as they are at speed. Perhaps my power steering has never worked....either way I can't see why anyone would complain about not having it, the vehicle operates fine and is easy to control . If my power steering has been inoperative from day one, this only confirms my opinion that some of the steering problems I and other owners have experienced are due to the VSS and not the DPS. Since I never had my steering "lock" as some other owners did, I think the DPS might be compounding the situation and making the unintended lane change issue worse. I never had either of the updates and do not intend to until BRP finds a fix for our problems that works. From what I read here, the updates cause too many driveability problems including the unintended directional changes....issues that were never experienced before ! Since I decline to be an unpaid "Test Rider" for BRP, my Spyder will remain in the garage until that time when the problems are properly diagnosed and can be correctly repaired. Half-ass fixes don't count !!

By the way, my instrument cluster shows no message with the DPS fuses pulled.

You must have not had it from day one-- or maybe just intermittently . The difference between having it and not having it is really dramatic ---- you would notice it. Once you get yours fixed and have it working--- the bike will feel like an entire new ride--- a very smooth one.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Someone else just posted asking how to disable the DPS on their Spyder. Maybe you can tell them what you did in order to help them achieve the same results. It was in General Discussion, and I suggested they post in Shop Talk to see if someone would know the answer there.

 

[Smylinacha]

OK, now I'm confused and I'm not posting to fuel the fire - I am just very confused. What you posted leads me to believe that if you didn't notice one different w/ those fuses pulled out, then you never had your power steering working in the first place. So now I'm more confused - if your bike wandered into another lane, how can you think it's due to the DPS? DPS is the Dynamic Power Steering Box. And if you don't have any dynamic power steering going on and never it, It makes me think it's another problem, not the DPS - in your situation.

 

[jsmiley]

:lecturef_smilie:Fuel the fire was a silly thing to say. I picked up my spyder on October 1st and have ridden 2400 miles and 10 states since with no issue. This past Monday right in front of the Lincoln Memorial in DC during rush hour, i for the first time realized DPS when it came on with no warning. I could of been killed had I not corrected in time. I had lanes of traffic on both sides. I just thought the Spyder was tough to steer in corners. Now I know my power steering was not working the whole time. Then out of no where it just starts coming on half way through a turn and at random times. Scared the hell out of me to be perfectly honest.

I had the recall done this morning and drove 50 miles. Feels great with the DPS running in every turn, but my trust is shaken hard. I may never go into a turn and not prepare myself for the steering freak out. I also had the locking this week. I would not say it was locking, but the reverse of my first incident. DPS is working and half way through a turn it stops. I am a big guy and can muscle it through. Hell I am used to it now. Just when you are not expecting it is when it is a problem or if you are small or a lady or injured and you can't muscle it or distracted or....

I love this bike and ride it every day since i got it. This steering thing just made me pause and drive more conservative. Which is definetly not as enjoyable, but better for my driving record.

If it starts freaking out again, I will disable DPS until there is one. It is better to have to muscle it through the corners and be predictable than deal with the freak out steering. I may not have the agility, but I will be alive. It is hard to steer like this and I can definetly see this is not an option for everyone. It is easy to see why som would chose not to ride.

Everyone should be aware of this because it is a safety issue (not fuel for the fire) and for those that have never had any issues, mine started after 2400 miles suddenly. Stay alert while cornering until this is closed out!

 

[Firefly]

OK, now I'm confused and I'm not posting to fuel the fire - I am just very confused. What you posted leads me to believe that if you didn't notice one different w/ those fuses pulled out, then you never had your power steering working in the first place. So now I'm more confused - if your bike wandered into another lane, how can you think it's due to the DPS? DPS is the Dynamic Power Steering Box. And if you don't have any dynamic power steering going on and never it, It makes me think it's another problem, not the DPS - in your situation.

I believe way2fast's current theory is that his DSP has never worked and that maybe his VSS was causing his veering. I really doubt that is the case. I think his (??) DPS was coming on intermittently and causing the problems.

This makes this whole DPS thing harder to solve - because there very well may be multiple things going on - and affecting our Spyder's differently.

That's the worst kind of troubleshooting to do -- an intermittent problem that may have multiple causes.

 

[fastfraser]

I believe way2fast's current theory is that his DSP has never worked and that maybe his VSS was causing his veering. I really doubt that is the case. I think his (??) DPS was coming on intermittently and causing the problems.

This makes this whole DPS thing harder to solve - because there very well may be multiple things going on - and affecting our Spyder's differently.

That's the worst kind of troubleshooting to do -- an intermittent problem that may have multiple causes.

:agree:+1 Ride safe .. Still a hyea::yes::2excited: :spyder2: Owner.

 

[Smylinacha]

yes, pls fil this thru the proper channels, calling your dealer and going online to the nhtsb. HDX changed my oil yesterday and with the bike on I was wiggling the handle bars and so was HDX - it make that clicking noise again. I was going to take it for a short ride today but now I will be passenger on HDX's bike because I don't wanna feel uneasy all day. It's going to my dealer tomorrow and a tech from brp will be there on Thurs to ride it and see the install of a new dps - if that is even the problem. At dealer's open house yesterday - HDX and dealer were talking about torque sensors going bad. But who knows what it is until it is looked at and I trust my dealer and it is nice to know that brp IS looking into all this. Between people's steering going on and off and the locking issue - please do the right thing and report it and call your dealer.

Just turning off the dps isn't going to solve the problem. Could be something else like others have said.

 

[Way2Fast]

I believe way2fast's current theory is that his DSP has never worked and that maybe his VSS was causing his veering. I really doubt that is the case. I think his (??) DPS was coming on intermittently and causing the problems.

This makes this whole DPS thing harder to solve - because there very well may be multiple things going on - and affecting our Spyder's differently.

That's the worst kind of troubleshooting to do -- an intermittent problem that may have multiple causes.

I would have to agree the DPS, which had never worked, came on unexpectedly the two times I experienced problems....IF....the problem occurred during in a corner or during a turning manuver. But it happened on a straight roadway at around 50mph where the DPS wouldn't be in use. That's why I think the VSS was responsible.

At least now, with both fuses pulled, I can be sure the DPS will never come on unexpectedly, in a turn or otherwise, so if this was the problem, it will not occur again. I had driven many other Spyders before mine was delivered. I assume they had working power steering and did not notice a difference in ease of steering between them and mine. Maybe if I had driven them back to back with mine I would have (??). Yesterday I did lock to lock tight turns and figure eights in a parking field at barely above idle speed and the bars were easy to turn in both directions. Taking corners at speed were not a problem and never had been one. DPS is something I don't need or want. A 5000 lb sport utility might require it, but a 600 lb Spyder sure doesn't.

 

[Way2Fast]

OK, now I'm confused and I'm not posting to fuel the fire - I am just very confused. What you posted leads me to believe that if you didn't notice one different w/ those fuses pulled out, then you never had your power steering working in the first place. So now I'm more confused - if your bike wandered into another lane, how can you think it's due to the DPS? DPS is the Dynamic Power Steering Box. And if you don't have any dynamic power steering going on and never it, It makes me think it's another problem, not the DPS - in your situation.

That's what I had been saying all along...the problem is due, at least partially, to the VSS. By finding out that my DPS was not working only confirms my belief.

 

[Smylinacha]

So are you gonna bring it to the dealer and ask him to look at your VSS?

That's what I had been saying all along...the problem is due, at least partially, to the VSS. By finding out that my DPS was not working only confirms my belief.

 

[krb1945]

Could the intermittent DPS be...

a loose connection? I have seen electronics have a problem and the cause would be a bad plug. One or more of the wires would be open or intermittent until the plug was moved. The plug connection would look like there "should" be a solid connection but there wasn't... this may be a good place to start checking.

Until the update a few weeks back I had intermittent darting problem with one of our SM5s but after the update it was resolved. I am now convinced that it was a software issue. The main thing it is fine now./Ken

 

[Way2Fast]

So are you gonna bring it to the dealer and ask him to look at your VSS?

Not until BRP comes out with a fix that doesn't further screw up the vehicle. I don't want my Spyder sitting at the dealers in pieces while they try to determine what is causing the dangerous steering malfunctions. Let them use somone elses for the exploratory surgery.

 

[Zerocool]

Not until BRP comes out with a fix that doesn't further screw up the vehicle. I don't want my Spyder sitting at the dealers in pieces while they try to determine what is causing the dangerous steering malfunctions. Let them use somone elses for the exploratory surgery.

How do you expect BRP to fix the problems if ryders don't bring their :spyder:s into the dealers for troubleshooting and analysis?

Your problem may be unique, in that, after they issue a fix you still won't have resolution because it doesn't address YOUR situation.

 

[Firefly]

I would have to agree the DPS, which had never worked, came on unexpectedly the two times I experienced problems....IF....the problem occurred during in a corner or during a turning manuver. But it happened on a straight roadway at around 50mph where the DPS wouldn't be in use. That's why I think the VSS was responsible.

At least now, with both fuses pulled, I can be sure the DPS will never come on unexpectedly, in a turn or otherwise, so if this was the problem, it will not occur again. I had driven many other Spyders before mine was delivered. I assume they had working power steering and did not notice a difference in ease of steering between them and mine. Maybe if I had driven them back to back with mine I would have (??). Yesterday I did lock to lock tight turns and figure eights in a parking field at barely above idle speed and the bars were easy to turn in both directions. Taking corners at speed were not a problem and never had been one. DPS is something I don't need or want. A 5000 lb sport utility might require it, but a 600 lb Spyder sure doesn't.

I'm still not thinking it's the VSS - if it was - then you should still have the problem.

Many that had the DPS problems noticed that the bars seemed to have a problem with 'dead center' - and this is one of the things that Update #1 specifically was supposed to fix.

I don't see that if your DPS was not working from day one that it confirms your problem was instead your **VSS**. I really think your DPS was having intermittent problems. My guess is you won't feel the same problem now that your DPS is disabled - which would lead me to believe it is in fact a DPS problem.

*** Changed DPS to VSS ABOVE

 

[Firefly]

PLEASE, take it to a dealer and file a report with the NHTSB. BRP is looking at this issue, but everyone with steering troubles needs to chime in through the OFFICIAL channels also........:doorag:

:agree:

I've been preaching that for months now. Filing reports with the NHTSA will put the appropriate fire under BRP's butt !

 

[Smylinacha]

Mine will be going to the dealer tonight. Actually I am glad it's going there - they can rip it apart all they want - I'm confident that my dealer & the BRP tech who is flying in will give it a good look. I almost wish I could take the day off to go there and watch the whole thing. I'd rather it be looked at because I think all our situations are different - between intermittant steering problems, steering locking, the way each individual rides the Spyder, alot plays into it I think. If I just wait for an update to come out and maybe that's not the problem my Spyder is having, then it won't get addressed, ya know?

Not until BRP comes out with a fix that doesn't further screw up the vehicle. I don't want my Spyder sitting at the dealers in pieces while they try to determine what is causing the dangerous steering malfunctions. Let them use somone elses for the exploratory surgery.

 

[Way2Fast]

I'm still not thinking it's the VSS - if it was - then you should still have the problem.

Many that had the DPS problems noticed that the bars seemed to have a problem with 'dead center' - and this is one of the things that Update #1 specifically was supposed to fix.

I don't see that if your DPS was not working from day one that it confirms your problem was instead your **VSS**. I really think your DPS was having intermittent problems. My guess is you won't feel the same problem now that your DPS is disabled - which would lead me to believe it is in fact a DPS problem.

*** Changed DPS to VSS ABOVE

If my DPS never worked, the lane change episodes could not be blamed on the power steering. If the power steering came on intermittenly, then the problem may be the DPS. Since my problem happened on a straight run and not during a turn, I don't think it was due to the DPS coming "on". I'll probably never know because I'll be using my other bikes and not the Spyder. IMO there are already enough dangers on the road that can mean death or serious injury for bikers. I choose not to add having to worry about a runaway computer to the list.