Spyder won't start? Help yourself understand possibly why....

[finless]

One thing I think everyone should carry is a simple plug in cigarette 12V meter.

I read far too many posts about "won't start battery is good".
How do you know the battery is good?
The Spyder has nothing to tell you this.

Some have replaced the analog gauges and added a volt meter gauge. If so then you don't need this cheap tool.

Before I installed a permanent 12V gauge I got one of these.
Simply plug it in your trunk cig lighter socket and you know your voltage.
When the key is turned on you can see how much it drops under a light load.
When you hit the starter you can see how much it drops starting.

This simple $4 device will give you much more knowledge of what is going on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-24V-Dig...ash=item4d296261c1:g:CEcAAOSwD0lUglHj&vxp=mtr

Bob

 

[Cruzr Joe]

:agree:, That is a very handy item to keep in your Spyder.


Cruzr Joe

 

[oldguyinTX]

I have one, and use it not only for my Spyder, but for my cars as well. It's a good way to keep track of the "health of your battery, particularly in cold weather when starting places more demand on the battery.

 

[IGETAROUND]

Thanks Bob, you're always thinking outside the box on how to solve common problems. Thanks for all you do for the community:clap::clap:hyea::yes::yes:

 

[HVACR Guy]

Tool kit

Thanks Bob. I've got a nice roll up tool kit for my Spyder and this will be a great little tool to add to it.

 

[Chupaca]

Great little tool...

Have had them for years. Works for all your vehicles and saves a lot of time and hassel...thanks for the post...:2thumbs:

 

[PatriotRider]

great suggestion to share, Bob

I have them in all my vehicles...

in addition, I have ones that include 2 usb charging ports so it's plugged into a convenient cig lighter socket all the time with charge cables for our smartphones

I keep one of these handy with cables for smartphones and SENA devices in case I wish to charge them...if my phone gets low, I can charge it right there in the trunk while riding

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cigarette-L...773451?hash=item2ee513c40b:g:wM8AAOSwDNdV1q1A

 

[tobor9]

just ordered one,Thanks:yes:

 

[Ron2andia]

Just ordered as well:thumbup:

 

[Brettssunshine]

Unless I'm missing something, where is there a port like this on the older base model Spyders? :dontknow:

 

[retired1]

Unless I'm missing something, where is there a port like this on the older base model Spyders? :dontknow:

Only on the RT.

 

[Brettssunshine]

That's what I figured.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

thank you, good idea

 

[Bob Denman]

That's what I figured.

If you've added a 12 volt power port (like for plugging in heated gloves...), you could always plug these little gauges into that... :thumbup:

 

[billybovine]

Only on the RT.

Well that's not true. The GS/RS, ST and F3 have power ports factory installed or optional dealer installed depending on the model.

 

[billybovine]

Ok so you hook up a voltmeter to the system and then what do the numbers mean.

A battery that has been at rest for 2 hours or more if it is fully charged should have a voltage of 12.6 or more. This does not mean the battery has enough amps to start the Spyder just that it is fully charged. 12V or less indicates the battery is completely dead and needs to recharged.

When starting your Spyder. At no time during the engine crank should the battery voltage drop below 10V. Even if you miss seeing the voltage drop below 10V on the voltmeter. You will know because the gage cluster will go blank and reboot. If the battery does drop below 10V during engine crank. That means the battery is low on charge. Battery is defective. Starter motor is damaged. Engine damage.

After the engine is started. With high beams and heated grips on, if you have them. The system voltage at 4,000 rpm should be between 13V and 14V. That is for the 998 engine. It may be different for 1330 engine models.

Most of this information has been taken from the 2013 service manual.

 

[ingramwc]

I think the parts for the power port are $30-$35 from a Can Am dealer. I have a '13 STS and the port was not standard.

 

[bronzeflex42]

Thanks Bob for the post and link. You are a big help on this forum. I just ordered me one. :clap:

 

[PatriotRider]

on my 2014 RT, there is a port in the trunk, but not in the frunk, but the hole is there and the wires are there.

I purchased this for $5 from Amazon and was able to reach the wires with connectors through the hole, connect it, and friction fit into the hole just by pushing it in. Worked for me.

I dunno about other years and models.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002KRC5Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01

 

[Lamonster]

Just a FYI my F3 wouldn't start today. Voltage showed 12.8v. I put it on the charger and it showed 75% charged. Put a meter on it and when I hit the starter button it went down to 11.2v. Checked my battery terminals and sure enough the positive was loose. So while a gauge will show you if you have 12 volts it won't tell you if you have a bad connection.