Security System II Battery Warning
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: in a trailer next to a ditch in South Florida
Well I almost spent a bunch of money for a new battery I didn't need because my bike refused to start.
It worked fine one day and a couple of hours later it just sat there looking at me stupid flashing the turn signals when I turned it on.
When I checked the battery the voltage looked OK, but it refused to turn over. Just kept blinking the lights until a minute or two after I turned it off.
I 'thought' maybe the security fob's battery might be bad or low because of the blinking lights. So I dug up the spare fob, but it did the same thing. Popped them both open and found that both of their batteries were showing just under 2.5V instead of the 3V its supposed to have.
Last night while I was at the drug store picking up a prescription I also picked up a pair of batteries (2032) and replaced one of the fob's when I got home.
TA DA, the bike works fine again. But my spare fob, with its original battery still in it, doesn't.
So a word to the wise, they used no-name batteries in the fob's and if you have an 08 or older bike.
It might not be a bad idea to do a little spring maintenance and replace the battery in your fob.
That or start practicing your button pushing skills so you can manually deactivate the security system.
Cause we all know that if its going to crap out on you, its most likely going to be raining and several hours/miles away from your spare fob or a new battery.
I got lucky it happened in my garage, this time.
It worked fine one day and a couple of hours later it just sat there looking at me stupid flashing the turn signals when I turned it on.
When I checked the battery the voltage looked OK, but it refused to turn over. Just kept blinking the lights until a minute or two after I turned it off.
I 'thought' maybe the security fob's battery might be bad or low because of the blinking lights. So I dug up the spare fob, but it did the same thing. Popped them both open and found that both of their batteries were showing just under 2.5V instead of the 3V its supposed to have.
Last night while I was at the drug store picking up a prescription I also picked up a pair of batteries (2032) and replaced one of the fob's when I got home.
TA DA, the bike works fine again. But my spare fob, with its original battery still in it, doesn't.
So a word to the wise, they used no-name batteries in the fob's and if you have an 08 or older bike.
It might not be a bad idea to do a little spring maintenance and replace the battery in your fob.
That or start practicing your button pushing skills so you can manually deactivate the security system.
Cause we all know that if its going to crap out on you, its most likely going to be raining and several hours/miles away from your spare fob or a new battery.
I got lucky it happened in my garage, this time.
I just went out and bought brand new Energizers, measured at 3.26 V and 3.27 V. Your tip may have just saved me a potentially expensive (towing, dealer labor) failure a long way from home.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
Usually when I get ready to roll the bike out of the garage I disarm it by entering the code. Then get the FOB when ready to hit the road. This was the only way I could learn the routine. 
I will also pickup a spare pack and throw them in the bag.
I will also pickup a spare pack and throw them in the bag.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Just a note to say thank you for this great tip!!! After reading your post, I measured the original equipment batteries (Panasonic 2032) for each of my 2 fobs. They measured 2.6 V and 2.1 V!
I just went out and bought brand new Energizers, measured at 3.26 V and 3.27 V. Your tip may have just saved me a potentially expensive (towing, dealer labor) failure a long way from home.
I just went out and bought brand new Energizers, measured at 3.26 V and 3.27 V. Your tip may have just saved me a potentially expensive (towing, dealer labor) failure a long way from home.
its a lot easier to remember how to do the code, than it is to sit on the side of the road for 6 hrs waiting on a hog tow.....
btw, i wouldn't really have considered it a failure....
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