Strange Failure

[sandeejs]

So, yesterday I woke up and rode 335 miles home, with 5 friends, without any problems. Stopped at a party a few miles from home, and BINGO! My Spyder would not start.

When I turned the key, I was surprised to see that the "read-the-card-and-press-the-button" screen did not come on. Instead, the screen that comes on b4 you start the byke was on. For a second. Once I turned the key, all went dark.

Alas and alack.

Called AAA. Their electronic voice promised to call back. Called AMA tow, they came out in about 40 minutes. My question is this: how did my Spyder stay on after I turned it off and and removed the key? It only sort of stayed on, I don't think the lights stayed on. Neither did the radio, although I may have turned the radio off when I hit town.

Think maybe I need a new battery? Thanks in advance for words of wisdom offered.

~Sandee~

 

[UtahPete]

My Spyder would not start. When I turned the key, I was surprised to see that the "read-the-card-and-press-the-button" screen did not come on. Instead, the screen that comes on b4 you start the byke was on. For a second. Once I turned the key, all went dark.

Think maybe I need a new battery? Thanks in advance for words of wisdom offered. ~Sandee~

I have experienced the bolded type condition about 1 out of 10 times I've started the Spyder. But, for me it always has started, so I don't know why that might be.

Some of the brighter bulbs on this forum may be able to help troubleshoot it, if that's what you're asking. But, more info is needed; whether the battery has been changed since new, whether you have the tools and knowledge to trace down an electrical problem, etc.

But, you had it towed, right? To where? If it's at the dealer's then not much we can do to help I don't think.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

So, yesterday I woke up and rode 335 miles home, with 5 friends, without any problems. Stopped at a party a few miles from home, and BINGO! My Spyder would not start.

When I turned the key, I was surprised to see that the "read-the-card-and-press-the-button" screen did not come on. Instead, the screen that comes on b4 you start the byke was on. For a second. Once I turned the key, all went dark.

Think maybe I need a new battery? Thanks in advance for words of wisdom offered.

~Sandee~

I read in the manual somewhere if you restart the bike within 5 minutes of turning it off you can skip the safety card message. But you were probably well past that time frame. I have seen the skip at some rather oddball times myself. Computer glitch I think. The skipping of the safety card message MAY have been because of low voltage. I would say your battery is shot. In case you've missed it mentioned elsewhere, if the battery voltage drops to below 10, or maybe it's 10.5, when you hit the starter, the cluster goes bonkers and goes dark. The days of starting even if the engine barely would turn over are gone.

 

[Chupaca]

Let's see...

From your profile I see you have a 2016 purchased in 2018. So we don't know the condition of the battery and it could be the issue. We also don't know if you have frakels and mods that may be on a non switched power source that can drag your battery down. I know there is a way to have the radio on with the ignition off so if your volume was down it could have been on. They will check the condition of the battery and the charging system for sure...ray:... but would be interesting to know what did zap your battery.... :dontknow:I have

 

[sandeejs]

I have experienced the bolded type condition about 1 out of 10 times I've started the Spyder. But, for me it always has started, so I don't know why that might be.
Some of the brighter bulbs on this forum may be able to help troubleshoot it, if that's what you're asking. But, more info is needed; whether the battery has been changed since new, whether you have the tools and knowledge to trace down an electrical problem, etc.
But, you had it towed, right? To where? If it's at the dealer's then not much we can do to help I don't think.

Thanks for the ideas, Pete.
I had it towed to my house. If it needs a new battery, I'll put it in.
The battery is the original, I assume. I bought it used earlier this year. I can not trace down an electrical problem unless it stands up and hollers at me. I'm wondering if I somehow put it in a play while off mode?

I meant to put it on the charger today, but never actually left the house. I'll do that tomorrow. Assuming it charges okay, I have to talk to the dealership to set up another repair. I'll head up there. If it starts again, fine. If not, I'll get a ride home. And a battery. And grumble.

~Sandee~
:riding:

 

[Triple B]

Before heading to the Dealer.....take a moment to make sure the battery connections are good and tight....just a thought.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I know there is a way to have the radio on with the ignition off so if your volume was down it could have been on.

That is not a worry, or a potential problem. If you leave the radio playing after turning off the ignition it shuts down when the battery voltage drops to 12 so that it will not run the battery down too far!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Before heading to the Dealer.....take a moment to make sure the battery connections are good and tight....

......and clean!!!

 

[UtahPete]

Think maybe I need a new battery? Thanks in advance for words of wisdom offered. ~Sandee~

I have two 2014 RT bikes, both with the original battery. I doubt your battery is failing, unless the previous owner did some inept mods. Have there been any mods done to the bike involving the electrical system (lights, electronic accessories, trailer hitch)?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I have two 2014 RT bikes, both with the original battery. I doubt your battery is failing, unless the previous owner did some inept mods. Have there been any mods done to the bike involving the electrical system (lights, electronic accessories, trailer hitch)?

Pete, you have no idea how this bike was treated by the prior owner so how can you make that statement? I went through several batteries on my 14, there are lots of factors that can contribute to a battery going bad.

 

[UtahPete]

Pete, you have no idea how this bike was treated by the prior owner so how can you make that statement? I went through several batteries on my 14, there are lots of factors that can contribute to a battery going bad.

Isn't that what I said? If it is the battery then something caused it to fail prematurely and we need to start figuring out what that might be.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Isn't that what I said? If it is the battery then something caused it to fail prematurely and we need to start figuring out what that might be.

No, you said “I doubt your battery is failing”. If this bike was stored in an unheated garage in MI for a couple of winters and rarely, if ever, used the battery could definitely be bad.

 

[UtahPete]

No, you said “I doubt your battery is failing”. If this bike was stored in an unheated garage in MI for a couple of winters and rarely, if ever, used the battery could definitely be bad.

That's true. Was it? We don't know yet, do we?

Still asking questions of the O.P. rather than jump to any conclusions.

That's the way the Navy taught me to troubleshoot electronics. I don't know any short cuts but I'm open to learning from you and Joe.

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

No, you said “I doubt your battery is failing”. If this bike was stored in an unheated garage in MI for a couple of winters and rarely, if ever, used the battery could definitely be bad.

Especially in Michigan, everything up there rots quickly! :roflblack:

Joe

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm a bit late to the party...
But I'd be willing to bet that this does involve the battery.
the condition of the connections can always be considered as a potential suspect...
… as can the battery itself.
Ann is right: The battery may have seen enough abuse under the tutelage of the prior owner, to kill it prematurely.
Personally speaking: the charging system on these 1330s is pretty darn stout; just not quite invincible!
Good luck, and please let us know what you find! :thumbup:

 

[sandeejs]

But I'd be willing to bet that this does involve the battery.
the condition of the connections can always be considered as a potential suspect...
… as can the battery itself. Personally speaking: the charging system on these 1330s is pretty darn stout; just not quite invincible!
Good luck, and please let us know what you find! :thumbup:

Many thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions.

Goal for today: put it on the charger.

Yes, everything in Michigan rots prematurely. Including my mind. Since it is a 2016, I guess the battery is a 2015. We are in 2018, meaning the battery is 3 years old. Not really a spring chicken. And I had my phone charging off the power outlet in the rear trunk. Although I removed the phone, I left the charger doohickey attached. It might have been drawing on the battery, even with nothing to charge.

Huh. I'm gonna get dressed and eat chinese food. Charge the byke up while I charge me up.

~Sandee~

 

[UtahPete]

Thanks for the ideas, Pete. I had it towed to my house. If it needs a new battery, I'll put it in.

The battery is the original, I assume. I bought it used earlier this year. I can not trace down an electrical problem unless it stands up and hollers at me. I'm wondering if I somehow put it in a play while off mode?

I meant to put it on the charger today, but never actually left the house. I'll do that tomorrow. Assuming it charges okay, I have to talk to the dealership to set up another repair. I'll head up there. If it starts again, fine. If not, I'll get a ride home. And a battery. And grumble.

~Sandee~

Sandee, are you able to check the battery connections? How about the battery charge?

If you have checked the connections and they are okay (tight, not corroded), and the battery took the charge okay, try starting it again.

If it starts okay this time, then it's possible the battery was not fully charged previously, which might mean the bike's charging system is not working properly. It might also mean that you have a parasitic load that is draining the battery whenever you shut it off and leave it for awhile. It might also mean you have a weak battery that is just not capable of holding a charge.

If it does not start even after fully charging the battery, then it could mean the battery is defective. Or, it could mean there is something else going on that needs further trouble-shooting.

What I'd like to know is whether your bike is bone-stock, or have there been after-market electrical mods done to it?

Thank you.

 

[Bob Denman]

Hi Sandee!
If the bike fires up after it gets some fresh electricity from a charger: it might not be a bad idea to see if you can get it tested.
Most auto parts stores that sell batteries should be able to "load test" it for you.
(That'll tell you how it holds up, when the chips are down! )

 

[Triple B]

Any word yet on what the problem was?

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked::agree::bbq::bbq::bbq: