[theMucker]

I've got a 2016 Roadmaster with just about 750 miles on it. It's running great BUT, twice now, when the outside temps are in the low to mid 30s, the "idiot light" for "Low Battery Voltage" on the dashboard has come on and blinked all the way to work (about 15 miles). When I get to work, if I shut it down and restart the bike, the light stays off. The dash says that the charging voltage is 14.6 volts ALL of the time and nothing else acts like there is a problem. I THINK that I've figured out the issue. It IS an ambient temperature effect. That's apparent because it's always warmer when I get to work. The sun has risen and temps have typically risen to the 50s or higher (we're having a very warm November here on Long Island). The owner's manual says that the light illuminates when battery voltage is low, when the tire pressure monitoring system battery is low and when the key fob battery is low. I keep my key fob locked away in the garage so it and the TPMS battery (wherever THAT is) are being chilled overnight in the garage. If either (or both) are lithium ion batteries, that'll explain why they're OK at warmer temps and might cause the battery light to illuminate when they're cold. My hand held garage door remotes behave the same way; they work fine in warmer temps, but often don't work when it gets cold out. I'm gonna experiment with this by keeping the Indian key fob in the house overnight and, maybe, figure out what's happening.

A side note: the DynoJet Power Vision CX allows the user to view and toggle on/off a large variety of system functions. As an example; it can turn off the DTS trip when you deploy the sidestand while the engine is running. It'll be interesting to see if the "low battery light" can be tuned to ignore the condition of the key fob or TPMS batteries. I'll have to look into that. Personally, I'd rather that the "idiot lights" on the dashboard just reflect issues with the motorcycle's primary systems.

 

[Hawgrunner]

Check your fob battery, that was my problem with the same issue.

 

[theMucker]

Thanks, Hawgrunner. That's what I'm hoping is the issue is. All I have to do is to keep the fob in the warm house and then the battery light shouldn't come on.

 

[Hawgrunner]

I always carry spare fob batteries, had to change mine out that time.

 

[The Painter]

Make sure you can start bike with your 4 digit code. You only need fob for saddlebag locks.

 

[jayred1]

Make sure you can start bike with your 4 digit code. You only need fob for saddlebag locks.

Agree. Why carry batteries around and have them age when you can use your PIN if needed and then ride to any store and pick up a fresh one? Other than the OEM battery which was known to be old/faulty, I haven't had any issues with mine. I also prefer to change mine at home rather than losing the little screw while out on a highway.

 

[theMucker]

Check your fob battery, that was my problem with the same issue.

I think that I've nailed down the "battery idiot light" issue. Before riding to work this morning, I set my key fob on the kitchen cable to warm up. When I went to the garage it was 36 degrees and, after starting the Roadmaster, the battery light was not illuminated. So letting the key fob get cold causes the battery to get wimpy enough to alert the low battery system. Once warmed up, the battery in the fob is fine and the idiot light stays off.
Good idea carrying a spare fob battery, but keep in mind that if the spare is cold, it may not work like a new one either.

 

[ndncowboy]

I think that I've nailed down the "battery idiot light" issue. Before riding to work this morning, I set my key fob on the kitchen cable to warm up. When I went to the garage it was 36 degrees and, after starting the Roadmaster, the battery light was not illuminated. So letting the key fob get cold causes the battery to get wimpy enough to alert the low battery system. Once warmed up, the battery in the fob is fine and the idiot light stays off.
Good idea carrying a spare fob battery, but keep in mind that if the spare is cold, it may not work like a new one either.

You may be on to something. I've never had the issue but I've carried the fob close to my body. Was in my vest pocket for almost and year but now in a fob holder which I then stick in my pocket. Still not seen the issue. But we've only been below 40º twice so far this fall. We are well below this morning though.

 

[theMucker]

You may be on to something. I've never had the issue but I've carried the fob close to my body. Was in my vest pocket for almost and year but now in a fob holder which I then stick in my pocket. Still not seen the issue. But we've only been below 40º twice so far this fall. We are well below this morning though.

Apparently, if the fob battery causes the battery light to come on when it's cold, that's no indication that the fob battery needs replacement. Just that when cold, it's voltage drops off, until it warms up again. Try leaving fob in the cold garage overnight and then fire up that Thunderstroke in the morning.

 

[newgramps]

Own a 2014 Chief Vintage with 18700 miles, bought new in August of 14. Early on, after reading about other riders having fob battery issues, I decided to just replace my fob's battery every fourth of July with a fresh one. Never any fob problems, just made it part of my normal maintenance, works for me - Dan

PS - I do keep my fob inside heated house in a particular place so I don't lose it.

 

[Badlionsfan]

Make sure you can start bike with your 4 digit code. You only need fob for saddlebag locks.

Once you input the code you can unlock bags and trunk from the button on the tank...

 

[chopper41463]

Without the fob, the alarm can't be set, right?

 

[ndncowboy]

Without the fob, the alarm can't be set, right?

You know...I'm not sure. With the fob you hit the lock button twice. Would doing the same with the one on the console do it too? It very well may but I've never tired it.

 

[chopper41463]

Hmmmm, that's a thought. Pushing the locking button (twice) on the tank may or may not work. I'll give it a try this week.

 

[PUG]

You know...I'm not sure. With the fob you hit the lock button twice. Would doing the same with the one on the console do it too? It very well may but I've never tired it.

It does not turn on alarm on my 2016 RM, only with the Key fob.