2018 F3T totally dead - any thoughts or advice?

[Wheelman]

Last week my 2018 F3T decided to give me starting problems. It started with a "Check Key" notification. I took the key out, walked away for about 5 minutes and when I tried to start it again, I got a check engine light. After this, it started. Took it for about a 1 hour ride. Stopped and it did all of the above again. I was able to get it started and got home. After checking the battery terminals, I tried to start it again and now it was totally dead. Tested the battery and it was bad. Replaced the battery with the Lamonster lithium battery and I get nothing. No clicking, whirring or display on the dash. TOTALLY DEAD! All the fuses are good and the main power relay tested good. All the ground wires are tight. My only thought now is maybe it is not reading the key. I only have one key. I really don't want to tow it the local dealer cuz I don't trust them. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

 

[JKMSPYDER]

I don’t know what the solution is to get it started but if you can, I would get the DESS disabled as soon as you can. Then you would have no more problems with the key. The DESS can easily be disabled with BUDS but some dealers won’t do it while others will.

 

[UtahPete]

I assume you fully charged the new lithium battery first, before hooking it up, or using it to try to power up the Spyder?

I understand DESS disabling the starting/running of the machine, but I don't understand you not getting any lights on the dash if DESS is the problem.

What did you use to test the old battery to determine it was completely dead?

 

[Wheelman]

I don’t know what the solution is to get it started but if you can, I would get the DESS disabled as soon as you can. Then you would have no more problems with the key. The DESS can easily be disabled with BUDS but some dealers won’t do it while others will.

The DESS was one of my thoughts also. I guess I can call the dealer and see if they will do it or find someone local (SoCal) who has BUDS and I can pay them to do it. Thanks for your response.

I assume you fully charged the new lithium battery first, before hooking it up, or using it to try to power up the Spyder?

I understand DESS disabling the starting/running of the machine, but I don't understand you not getting any lights on the dash if DESS is the problem.

What did you use to test the old battery to determine it was completely dead?

Yeah, charged the battery as soon as I got it. Also, checked the kill switch. Learned the hard way to check that first. I put the old battery on a charger, it gave one click and then nothing. Disconnected it and tested it with a multi-meter and got 9.5 volts. It won't take a charge.

 

[UtahPete]

There's an independent in Riverside who is highly regarded in the local Spyder community.

Lou Gutowski
[email protected]
951-757-9143

 

[Wheelman]

There's an independent in Riverside who is highly regarded in the local Spyder community.

Lou Gutowski
[email protected]
951-757-9143

Thank you. I'll look into that. It's about 50mi from me but I can give him a call.

 

[Bfromla]

Sorry to hear good luck with & just a suggestion - look into a spare key