[Jokar99]

Hi all...recently bought a 2017 Roadmaster...when delivered would not start...all lights illuminate on clocks..both indicator light fixed on ... fuel range doesn't display...has lines across that display...sound system will work. I have pulled all fuses and relays..tested ok..cleaned fuse box with electronic spray. Previously, after leaving it alone for a while it has fired up, operating normally...no diagnostic codes present. This morning it won't start at all. This has happened 3 times since getting the bike 6 weeks ago..has started normally a dozen times in between. Serviced yesterday at Indian Dealer..of course wasn't doing it for them so thay suggested bad FOB battery. Battery shows over 3v..so that's not the issue. At a loss as to what's going on.
Anyone experienced this? Appreciate ant assistance. Thanks

 

[wolfrider06]

Try starting with the PIN. Also, probably needs a new battery, the bike, not the fob.

 

[JR17]

Did the dealership load test your battery? And have you snugged up the battery terminals? If they get loose, you’ll have inconsistent electrical issues until your connections are tight… -JR

 

[Jokar99]

Try starting with the PIN. Also, probably needs a new battery, the bike, not the fob.

Have entered the PIN..no difference..that just stops the shutdown process...would think a bad battery would present this problem every time, not intermittently

 

[Jokar99]

Did the dealership load test your battery? And have you snuggled up the battery terminals? If they get loose, you’ll have inconsistent electrical issues until your connections are tight… -JR

Don't know whether they load tested..probably not..don't know what they do at a service interval for the battery

 

[JR17]

Roughly 90% of all electrical issues are simply due to loose terminals… These big engines along with rough roads create a lot of vibrations… nuts and bolts will work loose and just need to be checked.. I’ll go through the bike around every 2500 miles and just snug up and check connections.. Battery terminals along with the ground wire to the frame plus header bolts seem to need to most attention… If everything is snug then most likely it’s a battery on the edge of needing replacement… of course there will always be some outliers but if you keep on top of your battery and terminals you will have taken care of most the electrical issues that come up.. I’m sure there are plenty of YouTube videos that will walk you through checking these items… Good luck and safe riding.. -JR

 

[EvilMonkey]

Change the FOB battery regardless of the Voltage. Here’s a troubleshooting guide for the FOB/Security System…

Check the battery voltage before starting and after it’s been off a battery maintainer for 24 hours. If it’s 12.5v or less replace the battery. Check the battery and ground connections. ⚠ Be extremely careful around the VCM, if a tool makes contact with the positive battery terminal and the metal case of the VCM … IT WILL BE DAMAGED ⚠

 

[Kitulu]

Change the FOB battery regardless of the Voltage. Here’s a troubleshooting guide for the FOB/Security System…
View attachment 729579 View attachment 729585
Check the battery voltage before starting and after it’s been off a battery maintainer for 24 hours. If it’s 12.5v or less replace the battery. Check the battery and ground connections. ⚠ Be extremely careful around the VCM, if a tool makes contact with the positive battery terminal and the metal case of the VCM … IT WILL BE DAMAGED ⚠

Oh, for fucks' sake...this needs to be a sticky or something on the main page of the website...

THE FOB IS NOT THE PROBLEM!

Once again: The VCU looks for the FOB twice: once upon power-up, and once when the bike is dropped into gear. That's it. Having a weak FOB battery, or a missing FOB, WILL NOT CAUSE A NO-START ISSUE ON THE BIKE. If you power on the bike, and it does not detect the FOB, the bike will power off. If the VCU detects the FOB, you start the bike and drop it into gear, and the VCO suddenly does not detect the FOB, it will sound the horn three times and shut the bike off.

Now, assuming that you have the FOB, or have entered the PIN, everything is powered up, but the bike will not start, it is either a fuse, the starter, the start switch, or most likely the battery. If the terminals are loose, it is possible that it is not getting enough voltage to fully charge the battery when it does start and run, or it is not supplying enough voltage to the starter for the bike to turn over. Also, if the battery has a bad cell, it is possible that it retains enough voltage to start once, and then not again. If it is the original battery, just get a new one. When you install the new battery, or tighten the terminal bolts, add a star washer to each bolt. This will help keep the bolts tight. I went 5000 miles after adding the washers, and tightened the bolts maybe 1/36ths of a turn when I checked them at the oil change.

 

[Goatlocker95]

I'd say it a bit different but I agree with @Kitulu about the FOB. A FOB battery would just prompt you to enter the pin. It wouldn't cause all of the issues the OP is having.

Easy things first. As was stated already, Indians will have a myriad of problems if there are loose battery connections. Check the terminals first. Then check the battery voltage. If that doesn't work I'd have the battery tested. Most times that will take care of your issues.

Of course my first question is can you take it back to the dealer you bought it from? You said all these problems were there when it was delivered. Personally I would not have bought it in this state.

Good luck.

 

[Jokar99]

Ok.. update...load test shows 12.61v and load tested ok. Cleaned earth and all leads...reinstalled everything..no go... tried a few times and it fired up..had 3 diagnostic codes... irrelevant I believe... turned it off and tried again...fired up.. checked codes...none there but engine management light is on... going to put the seat back on.. take it for a short run... reckon the light will go off... perhaps. Still... problem is still there I believe... might start another dozen times

 

[Jokar99]

Pics

 

[EvilMonkey]

Oh, for fucks' sake...this needs to be a sticky or something on the main page of the website...

THE FOB IS NOT THE PROBLEM!

Once again: The VCU looks for the FOB twice: once upon power-up, and once when the bike is dropped into gear. That's it. Having a weak FOB battery, or a missing FOB, WILL NOT CAUSE A NO-START ISSUE ON THE BIKE. If you power on the bike, and it does not detect the FOB, the bike will power off. If the VCU detects the FOB, you start the bike and drop it into gear, and the VCO suddenly does not detect the FOB, it will sound the horn three times and shut the bike off.

Now, assuming that you have the FOB, or have entered the PIN, everything is powered up, but the bike will not start, it is either a fuse, the starter, the start switch, or most likely the battery. If the terminals are loose, it is possible that it is not getting enough voltage to fully charge the battery when it does start and run, or it is not supplying enough voltage to the starter for the bike to turn over. Also, if the battery has a bad cell, it is possible that it retains enough voltage to start once, and then not again. If it is the original battery, just get a new one. When you install the new battery, or tighten the terminal bolts, add a star washer to each bolt. This will help keep the bolts tight. I went 5000 miles after adding the washers, and tightened the bolts maybe 1/36ths of a turn when I checked them at the oil change.

Yes, I know how the FOB and the Alarm system works on these bikes … I have had the FOB not communicate with the bike … lines in the display … and the bike would not start … There could be an antenna issue. Especially when you buy a used bike, if you don’t know the age of the batteries, it’s just prudent to replace them.

So by changing the battery in the FOB you eliminate that as an issue … then you can move on to the next probable cause …The connections for the bike battery, ground, voltage (I had a variety of electrical issues until I changed the battery on my bike that I purchased used) … This is called “troubleshooting” … sometimes you shouldn’t skip steps … especially when you’re new to the bike and don’t know the history …

Sure a … no start … issue could be a bad solenoid, starter, fuel system, spark plugs plus more …

 

[Jokar99]

So took it for a spin...no management light..no codes. Back to my original question...has anyone here experienced this problem? I have riding/wrenching bikes for 47 years so most of what has been suggested is not news to me...will check the starter switch housing for any crap/corrosion

 

[Jokar99]

So..for any peeps....although 2 Indian stealers and an auto shop said the battery was ok I replaced it and the bike started...took it for a ride and all lights on both dials lit up..threw 5 codes...one was for gear position sensor. The bike had the recall done but apparently spat the dummy at the new sensor...shit happens hey...amongst the codes was TPMS...which isn't connected on this bike. Most of the codes related to low voltage effected components. When you turn on the ignition there is a drop of 0.2v from the battery so 12.6v (ok) becomes 12.4v (not ok)...but a faulty gear position sensor will stop you dead of course. Time will tell whether this has been resolved. Thanks for all input...appreciate it.

 

[stu]

Yes, I know how the FOB and the Alarm system works on these bikes … I have had the FOB not communicate with the bike … lines in the display … and the bike would not start … There could be an antenna issue. Especially when you buy a used bike, if you don’t know the age of the batteries, it’s just prudent to replace them.

So by changing the battery in the FOB you eliminate that as an issue … then you can move on to the next probable cause …The connections for the bike battery, ground, voltage (I had a variety of electrical issues until I changed the battery on my bike that I purchased used) … This is called “troubleshooting” … sometimes you shouldn’t skip steps … especially when you’re new to the bike and don’t know the history …

Sure a … no start … issue could be a bad solenoid, starter, fuel system, spark plugs plus more …
View attachment 729607
View attachment 729608 View attachment 729609

Once you try the pin and it won't start you know you have another problem. FOB battery may be bad, but bike should start with the PIN.

 

[Atuti]

Jokar99, sorry, I have discovered this thread right now. Perhaps I could help you.
I had a similar problem a couple of months ago. Nothing to do with the battery. Nothing to do with FOB. Nothing to do with relays nor fuses.
Please, answer this questions fot me to see if your problem is similar to mine:

1.- when you press the "On" button does the bike make the full starting cycle? Do you see lights on the dash board quickly lighting on and off? Do you see the arrows (speedo and rpm) moving down and up? Do you hear the fuel pump for a few seconds?

2.- If the answer to point 1 is YES, then... after the starting cycle has finished do the lights of the dash board go to "on" again? I mean the turning indicators, fuel level, cruise control, mph, kmph, side stand, etc, etc,?

3.- If the answer is YES, does the starting motor crancks when you press the starting button?

 

[Jokar99]

Jokar99, sorry, I have discovered this thread right now. Perhaps I could help you.
I had a similar problem a couple of months ago. Nothing to do with the battery. Nothing to do with FOB. Nothing to do with relays nor fuses.
Please, answer this questions fot me to see if your problem is similar to mine:

1.- when you press the "On" button does the bike make the full starting cycle? Do you see lights on the dash board quickly lighting on and off? Do you see the arrows (speedo and rpm) moving down and up? Do you hear the fuel pump for a few seconds?

2.- If the answer to point 1 is YES, then... after the starting cycle has finished do the lights of the dash board go to "on" again? I mean the turning indicators, fuel level, cruise control, mph, kmph, side stand, etc, etc,?

3.- If the answer is YES, does the starting motor crancks when you press the starting button?

Thanks for your response...I believe this problem has been resolved as per my previous post... will know in a couple of weeks after riding. None of the points raised by you are applicable in this instance. It appears the problems were a bad battery and a faulty Gear Position Sensor...see my last post...I pick up the bike tomorrow and have told the stealer I will advise them in 3 weeks if we're done. Thanks again