• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

No Steering! Need some Help PLease!

Questions

New member
Have the 2011 RT Limited. The last 3 rides, I have lost power steering in the middle of the ride. After the first time, we figured the battery was getting drained by the Corbin heated seat, so we charged up the battery on the RT and I haven't used any of the heated accessories since. Yesterday, we rode after the bike was charged up and the bike was fine for the first 50 miles, but I lost power steering in the middle of a turn on the way home. We brought it home and charged it up again. Okay, what's going on? Today I took it out, it was bad from the start. No power steering from the get-go. Can anybody help? It seems to be a bit worse trying to turn right. I am afraid to get on it again.
 
Is this something that would throw codes that I could check myself or do I just have to wait for the dealer to look at it?
 
Have the 2011 RT Limited. The last 3 rides, I have lost power steering in the middle of the ride. After the first time, we figured the battery was getting drained by the Corbin heated seat, so we charged up the battery on the RT and I haven't used any of the heated accessories since. Yesterday, we rode after the bike was charged up and the bike was fine for the first 50 miles, but I lost power steering in the middle of a turn on the way home. We brought it home and charged it up again. Okay, what's going on? Today I took it out, it was bad from the start. No power steering from the get-go. Can anybody help? It seems to be a bit worse trying to turn right. I am afraid to get on it again.

My 08 Gs would do the same, The DPS was replaced under the Recall [all Spyders]'But i would think a 2011 would come from the factory with the new DPS :dontknow:The recall was well over a year ago.!!
Another possibility your relay might be loose or bad.
 
The DPS is the largest power draw on the Spyder, other than the starter motor. It takes a lot of juice. If your battery is being drained, the power steering will fail when the battery voltage gets too low. You need to look closely at the charging system, battery, and cable connections, as well as your heated accessories. If you are running a heated seat and heated gear, you may just be overwhelming the charging system.
 
@Scotty
I only have the heated seat from Corbin. The first time the problem arose, I was also using the stock heated grips, but nothing else. I have only one accessory light, (the Genesis led running/brake light that fits into the void of the trunk). We were thinking that it was a battery issue for the reasons that you mention, but would the problem return when the bike is fully charged back up like this morning? Or yesterday I was riding all day without stopping-- shouldn't it be charging itself on a long ride if that's the problem? I was not using the heat on the seat or the grips yesterday or today because I was scared to run the battery down. The only thing that was on was the radio-- I can't turn that off :P
Thanks for your help
 
It doesn't sound like you have much draw, unless the seat is malfunctioning. Check your battery terminals (under the body) for cleanliness and tightness, and check the rear frame ground (negative jumper terminal) under the seat for tightness. A loose connection can cause the battery not to charge well. Also make sure your rpm is up most of the time when you are using the seat and heated grips. The Spyder only charges about half its rated capacity at 4,000 rpm. Having the steering fail part way into a ride would be typical of having the battery run down, which makes the battery charging or connections suspect. If the connections are OK, your dealer should look at it and perform some charging system tests, check the DPS, and run a battery laod test.
 
Check your relay seatings in the fuse box. If it has poor contact you would experience what you are describing. Ask me how I know!
 
still in the shop- heartbroken spyder gyrl without ryde

Well it's been at the shop since Monday, and they have been working on it for three solid days and can't figure out what's wrong with it. They say there are no codes, connections all perfect, battery good, software updated. Mechanic thinks Corbin seat draws too much juice, but problem persists even with the seat totally off, so that doesn't add up. He agrees. Any thoughts? This could be the last week of good weather in the Northeast and my bike in the shop. Not a pretty sight. Mechanic trying to get BRP on the phone.
 
Well it's been at the shop since Monday, and they have been working on it for three solid days and can't figure out what's wrong with it. They say there are no codes, connections all perfect, battery good, software updated. Mechanic thinks Corbin seat draws too much juice, but problem persists even with the seat totally off, so that doesn't add up. He agrees. Any thoughts? This could be the last week of good weather in the Northeast and my bike in the shop. Not a pretty sight. Mechanic trying to get BRP on the phone.
If they have checked everything and it's checks out fine it could still be a bad DPS or sensor. About all you can do as this point is start replacing parts.
 
Thanks Lamonster. BRP wants the tech to run the bike with the seat and genesis brake light totally disconnected first. (Um...I don't think that's gonna do anything! But we have to do what they say I guess. It just keeps me one day further away from riding). Tech said that he figures we'll order the DPS unit next. Can only imagine how long that will take. Ugh. When I first bought my RT in the Spring this year, it constantly stalled on me until the software update came out from BRP about 2 months into it. I've had "BRAKE FAILURE" warnings scream across the screen while riding. Then I nearly have a head-on accident because of the steering freezing up in the middle of a sharp curve in the road. Yikes, I am really wondering why some people have so many trouble-free miles and why my RT is like Stephen King's Christine.:(
 
Back
Top