I know I have more to write about the LA Ink gig, but finding a chunk of time to sit hasn't been easy. I will, I promise, get to the second and third dates of the shoot.... BUT... I have something to ask out there for you Harley wrenchers.
On the way home from Los Angeles, after the filming of the LA Ink, Joanz and I stopped to fill the tanks up. You know the normal thing you do for your auto and motorcycle--get gas. Well, I fill my tank (I am riding the 2008 Sportster 1200L), and get ready to take off and my bike doesn't start. I try over and over again. The security system doesn't allow me to start the damn thing.
So I am sitting in the HOT Los Angeles weather and trying to start this thing at 4:00 p.m. on a Friday afternoon and end up calling the Harley dealer I buy it from for help. I am told that it is possibility that the reason it doesn't start is because of the electrical pumps that this particular gas station has... or power lines in the presence of the bike. Huh!? I am having a livid big fat cow now hearing this. WTF! I buy a bike and can't start my bike after I get gas at a gas station because of THEIR pumps!? I have never heard of such a thing.
After trying to override the security system with the Harley service manager, we give up. Joanz even calls her guy and he tells her to waive the key fob over the tank---like the mojo man and a good ommmmmmm will help...geeeezzz! I end up getting it towed to the Harley dealership. I am now out $100 and am told my HOG towing will pay for it. However, I am still out $100 til they decide if it was a worthy situation.
I am also told by the tow truck driver that he has picked up a few others in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area for the same reason. Not starting because of the security system for some unknown reason.
If you ask me it sounds like a "DEFECT". Has anyone out there ever heard of this? Am I now suppose to guess which gas station has these electrical pumps when I need to fill my motorcycle? Stupid if you ask me... plain stupid. I have asked the the Harley people to take out my security. I don't want it if my safety is at issue. Not only that, my other bike has never failed me in that respect. Joanz' bike started just fine too. So did the BMW that came to ask if I needed any help.
Thanks Joanz for all your help and laughter even though it was your birthday you stayed like a good biker chick til you knew I was safe--Luv & Hugzz to ya!
Whats up with this security gas station crap!? Anyone know?
Suppose To Be Happy Trailzzz
KT Did
Sunday, August 17, 2008
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9 comments:
That's the wierdest thing I've ever heard of. I've never heard of it before either.
My opinons on security systems for cars and motorcycles is that they are a big waste of money and are a big fat joke. How many times have we all heard a security system going off in a parking lot. We never think that it's someone stealing a car or a motorcycle. we think someone bumped it, or hit their panic button on the key fob. We look at it as an annoyance more than anything. Most theives know how to quiclkly bypass these things and disarm them. Then they just take the auto, or motorcycle and everyone thinks it was theirs to begin with. Hell the really good ones use tow trucks and it looks like a Repo job. I know this often times the case because I'm in insurance and have seen it first hand many times.
Sounds like a story from someone who didn't know what they were talking about. (Or a B.S. story they use for girlz.)
Security keyfob battery dead? Tried the other keyfob?
Certainly the security system coming on would shut down the ECM, so the bike will not start. The Users Manual also documents the manual method of turning off the security system (using the turn signals and ignition switch). If the key fobs are not dead (replace the battery and see if they still do nothing), then I would suspect the alarm TSM module has fried itself.
Also make sure the battery is completely charged on the bike (maybe have it load tested if the voltage is ok), a dead cell and drop in voltage could also wack the alarm out, and cause the starter to not engage prroperly. If the battery is dead, or injured, I'd then have the charging system checked out as well.
WTF? I have never heard of such a thing! That's crazy, and you're right, it does sound like a defect!
Our Sporty is an '88 so we don't have these issues. But I have never even heard of this issue!
WTF? I have never heard of such a thing! That's crazy, and you're right, it does sound like a defect!
Our Sporty is an '88 so we don't have these issues. But I have never even heard of this issue!
A few things came to mind.
1) dead battery in the key fob. I pratice override sequence at home just in case this ever happened. I would probably bet this is the case. I keep the override sequence on a card in my wallet. The code is in my cell phone address book under "the bitch". Don't write the code on the card!
2) Since the alarm/ignition requires a "radio" signal from the fob, and must allow interference from other electrical sources, it would only make sense that the power lines or electric pump signals may indeed be interferring with the fob signal. Pushing the bike to another location away from the pumps might work.
3) If you fill the gas tank all the way to the top, I mean all the way to the filler cap threads, I have heard that this would make the bike not start. (If you were not even able to turn the bike over then this is not the case.) On the softails overfilling the gas tank will let you start the bike but a few moments then just die on you.
4) Lastly, it is a defect with your TSM/TSSM! sorry, not funny.
When you figure out what the problem was let us know. It would be handy info to have on hand. Hope you get to the bottom of this.
Dave and Dean already said everything that makes sense to me on this. I have heard a few things here and there from people about problems with the scty sys, but this is the first time I've heard something this bad. I'll have to look into it as I have an '04 Sporty. I never use the scty sys, but it does have it.
If I find out anything useful, I'll let ya know!
Tomorrow I get to pick the bugger up. I still think I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD that my bike might not start at a "gas station" because of the electrical connections with the gas pumps. Maybe if I fill my tanks with chicken shit it wouldn't matter so much... who knows. I will let you all know tomorrow how this dilema ends. However, I am taking notes from all of you to take down and show them that I am not alone in my thinking. Thanks all and I will be checking in tomorrow with the prognosis.
What'd you ever find out about this problem? Me, I ride old Iron so the only security I have is a 44 road system with 12 gauge home system. But I'm sure my 8mm will work fine for long distance issues. You know what they say about men with big guns...they shoot bigger bullets.lol
More Seriously though, I'm looking at lowjack system.
Hey there Wooley! I should be using your security system! Sounds a lot more reliable than mine. Glad to hear from you again! Does that big gun theory go along with those fishing stories I always hear about too? You know... about the fish that got away? ;)
Good to hear from you again my friend. They sell the Lo Jack at the Harley dealers too now.
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