Betwixt and Bewildered - how do I get the codes off 2008 GS?

[Gary1952]

I am 74 years old, and have been riding motorcycles, Yamaha, Suzuki, Indian, and Harleys, for over 60 years. Last year I bought a 2008 Spyder GS to see if I enjoyed riding it, and I did. The machine ran perfectly and when the riding season was over, in October, I put it on a tender and stored it for the winter. This season came around and when I went to start it, I found the battery was dead, so I replaced it with a new one. I started it up and it ran ok, so I decide to take it out for a ride. I didn't get 100 yards from my home when it started to stall and backfire and the engine light came on. I was able to get it home and watched some utube videos on how to get the codes out of it with no luck. So while I asked questions from other owners about how to get the codes out, they said the they thought the engine had to be running. So, I tried again. This time there was no code when I started it, so I decided to take it out again. I got about a 1/4 mile from home and the situation came back. This time it cut out and would crank but wouldn't start again. Had to have it towed home. Because of the age of the machine, I cannot get anybody to even look at it.

My questions to anyone here are: what can I look for; do I really need to have the engine running with the engine light on to get the code out; and how is this done? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[CopperSpyder]

Yes to see code the light should be on with the bike running. When you turn off the bike to codes reset to none and the codes go into memory. To read memory you need find someone or dealer with a BUDS setup. The BUDS setup can read all code that were set to memory in the past.

It sounds like you may have bad gas. if you leave gas setting, even 3 months without stabilizer it can go bad. That is the first place I would start. Drain and clean gas tank and change the fuel filter. How long was the bike in storage?

 

[BajaRon]

CopperSpyder gives a good place to start. With more information, a more precise answer may be possible. BUDS would be an excellent place to start. Even if a shop won't work on your Spyder, they should be willing to hook it up to BUDS.

 

[Gary1952]

Yes to see code the light should be on with the bike running. When you turn off the bike to codes reset to none and the codes go into memory. To read memory you need find someone or dealer with a BUDS setup. The BUDS setup can read all code that were set to memory in the past.

It sounds like you may have bad gas. if you leave gas setting, even 3 months without stabilizer it can go bad. That is the first place I would start. Drain and clean gas tank and change the fuel filter. How long was the bike in storage?

It was stored from early November until early April. I always fill the tank using premium gas before storage.

CopperSpyder gives a good place to start. With more information, a more precise answer may be possible. BUDS would be an excellent place to start. Even if a shop won't work on your Spyder, they should be willing to hook it up to BUDS.

I was able to find a guy who owns Second Wind Cycle who works exclusively on Canams for a Canam riding school here on Long Island. I called him and left a message and waiting for a call back. I will keep you all informed as things progress.

 

[CopperSpyder]

It was stored from early November until early April. I always fill the tank using premium gas before storage.

That's about 6 months and who knows how long in the tank at the gas station. It is now the end of July that's another 3 - 4 months (9-10 months total) If you did not put stabilizer in the tank that is the first thing I would do (clean out old gas from tank, replace fuel filter). The fuel filter probably is ready to be changed anyway, and you can save the old gas and reuse it if that is not the problem (I wouldn't). You can get a hand pump from harbor freight to pump the gas out and into a tank pretty cheap. This is the one I used onetime https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-63144.html if you have a store close by.

 

[canamjhb]

CopperSpyder is right on. You are experiencing classic signs of contaminated fuel. "Premium" gas does not make it good gas. I suggest you might want to save yourself the time and expense of working with a shop and change your filter and fuel. If you did not previously treat your fuel with a stabilizer, this is something that should be done anyway. And it will most likely solve your problem. Good luck.....