2016 RT Steering 'Chirps' - any adjustments to fix this, or is this the DPS going?

It's not your tires chirping is it? Will it do it in both directions?

BrianO said:

I have a 2016 RT Limited with about 45,000km (28,000miles)

Recently I've noticed that when I make a fairly tight turn in a parking lot, I hear a chirping noise; like a belt is slipping. I've never noticed it while riding along on the highway.
Is there an adjustment in the steering to fix this, or is my electric power steering module going? I saw on the Cam Am site a new module is about $2,700 CDN

Thanks... Brian

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Go here or search for alternator chirping. https://spyderlovers.com/threads/anyone-know-what-this-chirping-noise-might-be.160134/#post-1709717

BrianO said:

I doubt it. The chirping isn't constant. More like 'chirp, chirp, chirp' and I feel a slight vibration in the handlebars.
It doesn't seem to be a problem. I'm just nervous and expensive repair is coming.


Thanks for this link. I read the posts. I suppose it could be related to the alternator. The bike has always had a Can-Am oil/filter and all work done by a BRP trained mechanic.

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Will it do it in both directions?

Its your alternator drive slipping. The easiest solution to get rid of it is by upgrading your oil. I can confirm, at least on my bike, switching to Amsoil 5W50 Metric motorcycle oil got rid of the noise. Lots of 2024 and up Spyders are having this issue from new.

I have been watching this tread to see which direction it would take as more information was provided.

First, I don't think there is any way that the DPS unit itself can produce a chirping noise. We've had a number of bad DPS units (I've gone through 3 myself). We've never encountered any noise coming from the DPS unit.

However, I can confidently say that the DPS puts a heavy load on the battery when engaged at stop or slow speeds, and therefore, places a heavy load on the charging system. You just started the engine, placing an initial drain on the battery which the alternator is already working to replace. Now you are turning the handlebars and this additional demand on the alternator does exactly what jcthorne stated.

The alternator has a set of friction disks which are designed to slip if demand exceeds a certain amount. This will definitely cause the chirping that you describe.

But I will go one step further. Why did BRP design the alternator system this way? As far as I know, this is not a common approach. Charging systems are typically direct drive with no such slipping system. I'm hoping someone will correct me if I am wrong here.

My BushHog has a similar system. It is designed to slip if I hit a rock, a stump, or something that would otherwise damage the gear box, or bend/brake something. But an alternator? This indicates to me that BRP is worried about gears, a shaft, bearings, or an electrical component could fail if overstressed.

Increased loading on an alternator is not like hitting a stationary object with a BushHog. Even heavy loads are not going to instantly stop an alternator. So, the only thing I can think of is that there is a weak link in the system somewhere. And these friction washers are a less expensive solution than upgrading the system to handle the output capabilities of the alternator.

This is my speculation. What's yours?