Security Fob Electrical Interference?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
Security Fob Electrical Interference?
This past weekend I rode to San Diego to do the tourist thing and visit some friends. Sunday afternoon I was parked down by the waterfront at Seaport Village. When I was getting ready to leave, my bike wouldn't start. The bike onboard security system was telling me the security fob I had with me did not recognize.
I figured the battery in the fob had expired so found a nearby camera shop and installed the new correct battery and figured that the bike would now start. I was wrong.
Not knowing what else to try, I called the local Harley dealer service dept. and explained the problem. He asked if I was in the downtown San Diego area and said this was a common problem with that area and all I needed to do was take my 900lb bike for a walk. He said I was in a 'dead spot' and needed to push the bike maybe 20-30 feet or maybe a few hundred feet
until my fob and the bike were able to 'talk'.
well to make a long story short, taking the bike for a long walk was just what it needed. After 40-50 feet of pushing the Ultra, the fob and bike had kissed and made up and were now talking. Bike started just fine and I haven't had any problems since.
as anybody else experienced fob interference? I knew it sounds odd, but I never knew a problem like tis existed.
I figured the battery in the fob had expired so found a nearby camera shop and installed the new correct battery and figured that the bike would now start. I was wrong.
Not knowing what else to try, I called the local Harley dealer service dept. and explained the problem. He asked if I was in the downtown San Diego area and said this was a common problem with that area and all I needed to do was take my 900lb bike for a walk. He said I was in a 'dead spot' and needed to push the bike maybe 20-30 feet or maybe a few hundred feet
until my fob and the bike were able to 'talk'.
well to make a long story short, taking the bike for a long walk was just what it needed. After 40-50 feet of pushing the Ultra, the fob and bike had kissed and made up and were now talking. Bike started just fine and I haven't had any problems since.
as anybody else experienced fob interference? I knew it sounds odd, but I never knew a problem like tis existed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
I have a frequent problem with mine that the dealer has been unable to figure out. It will just quit for no apparent reason, once it stops working it has to be remarried to the bike by the dealer. I am thinking of having it disconnected the next time I have to take it to the dealer.
It's on a 2010 Fatboy Lo.
It's on a 2010 Fatboy Lo.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 8
From: North Texas
Yup, have heard of several instances of interference. Usually its power lines from above. Learn how to disable the alarm by entering the PIN so you don't have to move the bike.
Disarming the alarm with PIN:
1. If necessary verify the correct 5 digit PIN
2. Turn ignition key to IGNITION
3. Quickly within 2 seconds of turning key hold both turn signal switches in until confirmation.
> Key icon flashes at a fast rate In the odometer window a flashing dash will be followed by four more dashes.
4. Enter first digit (A) in the PIN by pressing left turn switch A times.
> The first digit (A) in the odometer will be the first digit in the PIN.
5. Press RIGHT turn switch 1 time. (Serves as enter key)
> The first digit is stored and the dash will flash.
6. Enter the second digit (B) in the pin number by pressing LEFT turn switch B times.
> The second digit (B) in the odometer will be the second digit in the PIN.
7. Press RIGHT turn switch one time. (Serves as enter key)
> The second digit is stored and the next dash will flash.
8. Enter the third digit (C) in the PIN by pressing LEFT turn switch C times.
> The third digit (C) will be the third digit in the PIN.
9. Press RIGHT turn switch one time. (Serves as enter key)
> The third digit is stored and the next dash will flash.
10. Enter the fourth digit (D) in the PIN by pressing LEFT turn switch D times.
> The fourth digit (D)in the odometer will be the fourth digit in the PIN.
11. Press RIGHT turn switch 1 time. (Serves as enter key)
> The fourth digit (D) is stored and the next dash will flash.
12. Enter the fifth digit (E) in the PIN by pressing LEFT turn switch E times.
> The fifth digit (E) in the odometer will be the fifth digit in the PIN.
13. Press RIGHT turn switch 1 time. (Serves as enter key)
> The fifth digit is stored. The icon stops blinking and the alarm is over ridden. You can now start the motor.
Disarming the alarm with PIN:
1. If necessary verify the correct 5 digit PIN
2. Turn ignition key to IGNITION
3. Quickly within 2 seconds of turning key hold both turn signal switches in until confirmation.
> Key icon flashes at a fast rate In the odometer window a flashing dash will be followed by four more dashes.
4. Enter first digit (A) in the PIN by pressing left turn switch A times.
> The first digit (A) in the odometer will be the first digit in the PIN.
5. Press RIGHT turn switch 1 time. (Serves as enter key)
> The first digit is stored and the dash will flash.
6. Enter the second digit (B) in the pin number by pressing LEFT turn switch B times.
> The second digit (B) in the odometer will be the second digit in the PIN.
7. Press RIGHT turn switch one time. (Serves as enter key)
> The second digit is stored and the next dash will flash.
8. Enter the third digit (C) in the PIN by pressing LEFT turn switch C times.
> The third digit (C) will be the third digit in the PIN.
9. Press RIGHT turn switch one time. (Serves as enter key)
> The third digit is stored and the next dash will flash.
10. Enter the fourth digit (D) in the PIN by pressing LEFT turn switch D times.
> The fourth digit (D)in the odometer will be the fourth digit in the PIN.
11. Press RIGHT turn switch 1 time. (Serves as enter key)
> The fourth digit (D) is stored and the next dash will flash.
12. Enter the fifth digit (E) in the PIN by pressing LEFT turn switch E times.
> The fifth digit (E) in the odometer will be the fifth digit in the PIN.
13. Press RIGHT turn switch 1 time. (Serves as enter key)
> The fifth digit is stored. The icon stops blinking and the alarm is over ridden. You can now start the motor.
Last edited by FLHTCU Owner; Sep 17, 2010 at 02:49 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 148
From: Augusta, GA
I have heard of this happening at a service station in Savannah, Ga and the Harley dealer gets calls all the time. Must be some type of infrared signal or interference.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 846
Likes: 13
From: Out there!
Happens all the time at autoroute service stations in France/Europe, when there's a rally on you can see little groups of 'not co-operating Harleys' being pushed to get them started.
In fairness it normally only takes a few feet to make all the difference, reset via the indicators trick doesn't work though.
I've personally had this happen at least 20 times
In fairness it normally only takes a few feet to make all the difference, reset via the indicators trick doesn't work though.
I've personally had this happen at least 20 times
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 103
From: Massachusetts (NE)
Usually when the bike was brand new the dealer (?) sets the code to 1-1-1-1-1 or 1-2-3-4-5, mine was 1-1-1-1-1
Try yours & find out, the odometer will tell you yours - see owners manual on how to, actually simple to do with fob & key present ... and reset or keep the one you have ... like I said simple ... then carry your sequence card from the owners manual (or the manual itself) that tells you how to start it without the fob !
If you lose your fobs and don't have the code, call a tow truck, so it's worth finding out your code !
Try yours & find out, the odometer will tell you yours - see owners manual on how to, actually simple to do with fob & key present ... and reset or keep the one you have ... like I said simple ... then carry your sequence card from the owners manual (or the manual itself) that tells you how to start it without the fob !
If you lose your fobs and don't have the code, call a tow truck, so it's worth finding out your code !