Spyder Went Crazy

[arntufun]

Yesterday during our 100+ mile ride (late Jan in NY hyea , and the spyder went crazy.

VSS failure
DPS failure
Check engine light
VSS light
Went into limp mode

I was in the fast lane of a two lane highway going about 65 mph passing a car when this occured. I managed to get to the shoulder before getting killed by other cars and shut off the Spyder and removed the key and walked 10 feet away from it. Came back to the Spyder and started it back up and poof, everything was fine. I was going straight when this happened so it has nothing to do with turning the Spyder.

This happened once last year but not as nearly as a dangerous of a situation though, and was wondering if anyone has any ideas of what this could be ??? :dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

Definately a computer glitch. But what made it do that? Very dangerous and scarry.

I don't have an answer, you are much more mechanically inclined.

Will watch for more information. opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[Bob Denman]

Just a thought... Check your battery connections to make sure that everything is nice and tight. I know that "Fatal Attraction" has been stripped down for some serious re-birthing, so it's one place to look...
Good luck, and please let us know what you find! :thumbup:

 

[arntufun]

Just a thought... Check your battery connections to make sure that everything is nice and tight. I know that "Fatal Attraction" has been stripped down for some serious re-birthing, so it's one place to look...
Good luck, and please let us know what you find! :thumbup:

I would be inclined to think it was something I did, if it did not happen once last year before my breakdown. :dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

Just exactly how far did you go breaking things down?? :dontknow:
It's always tough to dianose from a distance; particularly since we're not sure what got spun with the wrenches...
I guess that I'd start by pulling the Tupperware and checking anyplace that I wandered near with bad intentions...
Please keep us posted!

 

[NancysToy]

Just a thought... Check your battery connections to make sure that everything is nice and tight. I know that "Fatal Attraction" has been stripped down for some serious re-birthing, so it's one place to look...
Good luck, and please let us know what you find! :thumbup:

Yep, check the relays, too. Most common causes for cascading failures are low battery voltage, loose battery connections, and loose relays (especially on RS). There are other possibilities, though, because certain system glitches and warnings trigger warnings in related systems. If you can next time, pull up the specific failure code(s) before shutting off the key...then you'll have a better idea of the cause if they are still active. Another possibility is improperly adjusted ABS sensor(s). An ABS fault shuts down all kinds of things.

 

[arntufun]

Yep, check the relays, too. Most common causes for cascading failures are low battery voltage, loose battery connections, and loose relays (especially on RS). There are other possibilities, though, because certain system glitches and warnings trigger warnings in related systems. If you can next time, pull up the specific failure code(s) before shutting off the key...then you'll have a better idea of the cause if they are still active. Another possibility is improperly adjusted ABS sensor(s). An ABS fault shuts down all kinds of things.

i just went to the garage and checked for codes. It says "No Active Fault Codes". Probably to late now huh ???

I rode home with no issues after this occured (around 40 miles). I will check relay fit and battery connections to rule that out, but like I said it happened once early last year and yesterday. If it was the battery or relays, I'm assuming it would be happening with more frequency than it is.

I'm leaning towards your idea of ABS sensor adjustment. Question, would salt road spray (whitish color) on the rear wheel sensor cause this ??? Both times this has occured, the rear of the Spyder has been dirty and is the only common link to this happening.

 

[Bob Denman]

"Road salt spray"?? :shocked:
That's not good for anything! :gaah: That's a real good reason to be looking around those sensors...

But pay more attention to Scotty! He's forgotten more about these things than I'll ever know! pps:

 

[arntufun]

"Road salt spray"?? :shocked:
That's not good for anything! :gaah: That's a real good reason to be looking around those sensors...

But pay more attention to Scotty! He's forgotten more about these things than I'll ever know! pps:

Bob, we live in NY !!! Of course road salt spray in January !!! :roflblack: I always wash it before I put it away. :spyder: The first time it was dirty with dirt after it rained and the road was still wet. Maybe I should reconscider putting my rear fender back on if this will continue to happen when the Spyder gets dirty. :yikes: I'm just guessing on this and have no proof.

 

[Bob Denman]

But it's a good place to start for certain! :thumbup:
Don't put the fender on... it just wouldn't seem so... Randy!

 

[NancysToy]

I'm not aware of any incidents that have been positively linked to crud on the ABS sensor, but road salt spary certainly seems like a feasible cause to me. It could also get into the connectors, and cause a momentary short. i'd at least snap the connectors apart and put some dielectric grease on the seals (sparingly). It can't hurt and it may well solve the problem. Also check the ABS sensor clearance. A sensor that is out of spec could pick up crud more easily.

 

[CaptRalph]

Bob, we live in NY !!! Of course road salt spray in January !!! :roflblack:

Or you could move down to Florida, the only salt here is in the ocean, not on the road, but it's pretty warm though, some 74 degrees today, you wouldn't like it! Sorry, I couldn't resist rubbing it in. Just makes me shiver every time I see the snowbirds come down with their cars covered in white salt spray! :yikes:

 

[NancysToy]

Or you could move down to Florida, the only salt here is in the ocean, not on the road, but it's pretty warm though, some 74 degrees today, you wouldn't like it! Sorry, I couldn't resist rubbing it in. Just makes me shiver every time I see the snowbirds come down with their cars covered in white salt spray! :yikes:

Yea, but the sweat doesn't run down our brow and drip on our glasses while we exerting ourselves this time of year. :roflblack:

 

[arntufun]

I have been reading the service manual and found VSS and DPS fault (at the same time) could be caused by a disconnected or a faulty wheel sensor. Page 260 of the manual for the 08 SM5.

I cant seem to find the diagram where these connections for the rear wheel sensors are located or the spec that the rear wheel sensors need to be. This manual is over 650 pages. :yikes::yikes:

 

[spyryder]

I have been reading the service manual and found VSS and DPS fault (at the same time) could be caused by a disconnected or a faulty wheel sensor. Page 260 of the manual for the 08 SM5.

I cant seem to find the diagram where these connections for the rear wheel sensors are located or the spec that the rear wheel sensors need to be. This manual is over 650 pages. :yikes::yikes:

Look in your table of contents under Chassis, Vehicle Stability System and Wheel Speed Sensors. There should also be a feeler gauge for the sensors included in your tool kit.

 

[Campverdefela]

cleaning connectors

[h=2]Male Connectors[/h]

• 1Remove all electrical power from the circuit in both sections of the following instructions. Never attempt to clean any connector or device while it is under operation or power.
  
  
  
• 2Wipe the connector free of any dirt or debris using the clean rag. Pull the connector apart exposing the female socket and the male probes or pins. Observe the condition of the male pins. A green or whitish powder on the pins indicates a corrosion problem. If the metal appears rusted and broken the entire plug assembly may have to be replaced.
  
  
  
• 3Tear a small piece of the fine sandpaper, approximately one inch wide by two inches long. Buff or rub the pins with the sandpaper to remove the discoloration of the metal. You can wrap the small piece of sandpaper around the pin. Rotate the paper until a clean or shiny metal surface appears.
  
  
  
• 4Brush the metal pins with the toothbrush. Apply a quick spray of the electrical contact cleaner to remove any dry dust or corrosion. Use vinegar to clean the pins if contact cleaner is not available. Brush the pins again to remove any left over debris.
  
  
  
• 5Apply a spray coating of the contact lubricant. This will aid in keeping the corrosion at bay and increase the conductivity of the connector.
  
  

[h=2]Female Connectors[/h]

• 1Spray the contact cleaner into the female socket. Use vinegar if no cleaner is available.
  
  
  
• 2Insert the small diameter steel brush into the socket. Rotate the brush in a clockwise direction.
  
  
  
• 3Continue to rotate the brush and then quickly pull the brush from the socket. This action will remove any debris in the orifice.
  
  
  
• 4Continue with the process in step 2 and 3 with each individual pin socket. Keep the sockets wet with cleaner or vinegar as you are cleaning them out. You can simply dip the brush in vinegar every time you clean a socket hole.
  
  
  
• 5Spray a generous amount, one to two seconds of pressing the spray button, of the contact lubricant into the socket. Reassemble the connector
  
  

 

[Coolbreeze]

crazy spyder

Exact same thing happened to me. After it happened the second time they replaced the VSS unit. No problems since but I only have about 300 miles on it since then. I had about 19,500 miles on the bike when it happened. Scares the hell out of you when you're going about 75-80 in traffic and the bike suddenly slows you to 50.

 

[arntufun]

Look in your table of contents under Chassis, Vehicle Stability System and Wheel Speed Sensors. There should also be a feeler gauge for the sensors included in your tool kit.

I found it thank you.

Exact same thing happened to me. After it happened the second time they replaced the VSS unit. No problems since but I only have about 300 miles on it since then. I had about 19,500 miles on the bike when it happened. Scares the hell out of you when you're going about 75-80 in traffic and the bike suddenly slows you to 50.

It sure does !!! nojoke I think I will take it to the dealer to have it checked out to be safe. I know it has only happened twice, but when it happens like it did this time it was very dangerous the way the power decreased so fast and IMO should not kill the Spyders power so quickly. It really could get someone hurt or worse.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

CONNECTIONS

I AGREE WITH CAMPVERDEFELLA ?, BUT BEFORE REASSEMBLY USE A LITTLE DI-ELECTRIC GREASE ON ALL CONNECTIONS...AND A STAR WASHER UNDER ALL BOLTS FOR TIGHTNESS....I HAD PHANTHOM CODES ALL THE TIME UNTILL I DID THE AFOREMENTIONED FIX....MIKE....:thumbup:

 

[Texmac1011]

I'm not aware of any incidents that have been positively linked to crud on the ABS sensor, but road salt spary certainly seems like a feasible cause to me. It could also get into the connectors, and cause a momentary short. i'd at least snap the connectors apart and put some dielectric grease on the seals (sparingly). It can't hurt and it may well solve the problem. Also check the ABS sensor clearance. A sensor that is out of spec could pick up crud more easily.

The one time that happened to me, I had a short in the wiring to my tail light.