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[Gerhard]

Hi,
I ride a 2016 (march) FLHXSE. Last Saturday I joined in on a tour from a local Dealer. Rode from my garage to the dealer (15mls), meet/greet/chatting for about half an hour and then we wanted to go. Brought my bike upright from the jiffy: BANG: ALARM. Dashboard completely dark, nothin possible. Back on the jiffy, Alarm stopped after a few (long  )seconds. Next try, same result. We changed the FOB battery, no chance: ALARM! Back on the jiffy - ALARM stopped - wait - ignition ON on the jiffy, suddenly the Dashboard asked for the PIN. PIN in, all OK. So it was a planned tour, I rode with them. Every stop - after sharpening, the Bike started only on the jiffy by PIN.
After 3 hours ride at a gas station the system seemed to recognize the FOB again, and since then it´s OK. Checked it this morning in my garage - everything OK.

Has anyone of you got an idea what could´ve been the cause of this?!

Regards, Gerhard.

[skratch]

there can be rf interference that will make your fob act that way.  usually though, it only happens the once, after you move, the odds of ending in another 'dead zone' is pretty slim.  so I would think that that is not the primary cause in your case.

you'll hear a lot of folks say that they had this problem, but once they pushed it out of the zone, all was okay.  i have to question why they would push a 950 lb bike around the parking lot when they could just as easily start it with the pin...

[JerseyT]

RF interference can certainly be a cause, but since the problem persisted each time you stopped in a different location, my guess is that outside source RF interference was not the cause of your problem.  By any chance, did you have your cell phone or some other electronic device near your Fob?  Perhaps you changed pockets during the day before you got to the gas station where the Fob started working again?  At the very least, I'd be changing the Fob battery in case it is getting weak. 

[grc]

As JerseyT said, it is highly unlikely this was caused by RF interference, since it did it many times at different locations.  Since you didn't mention anyone else on the ride having the same problem, I think we can reasonably assume this problem was due to something related to your bike.  Good luck getting a dealership to do any real diagnostics, unless you can get the system to fail right in front of them, but I would still get it on record with them and H-D.

Jerry

[Gerhard]

Thanks a lot! Well, my Dealer guessed, that the "reason why" was that I carried the fob in the front pocket of my jeans - the receiver unit is under the front tip of the seat. He told me, if the distance fob-receiver is too short, this may cause problems. Maybe - it works now anyway and it could´ve been, that I sat a little twisted towards the tip of the seat with my pocket  while pulling the bike straight up.
If it doesn´t show up again, I´m fine! (wearing the fob from now on in my chest pockets  )
Gerhard.

[TinSpinner]

Thanks a lot! Well, my Dealer guessed, that the "reason why" was that I carried the fob in the front pocket of my jeans - the receiver unit is under the front tip of the seat. He told me, if the distance fob-receiver is too short, this may cause problems. Maybe - it works now anyway and it could´ve been, that I sat a little twisted towards the tip of the seat with my pocket  while pulling the bike straight up.
If it doesn´t show up again, I´m fine! (wearing the fob from now on in my chest pockets  )
Gerhard.

 

Many of us have had problems with being too far away for the FOB to work, never heard of too close.

[JerseyT]

Owner's Manual for my bike specifies that Fob needs to be at least 3" from under seat antenna and any RF emitting devices, e.g. cell phones.

[Gerhard]

Owner's Manual for my bike specifies that Fob needs to be at least 3" from under seat antenna and any RF emitting devices, e.g. cell phones.

Yes, meanwhile I learned that too. Interesting, that not knowing this, it worked well (since this year´s march) until this one occasion. So I now keep the fob in the chest pockets ...

regards, Gerhard.

[grc]

Owner's Manual for my bike specifies that Fob needs to be at least 3" from under seat antenna and any RF emitting devices, e.g. cell phones.

Once again, I have to wonder what the rocket scientists at Harley were thinking.  Most people I know put their keys and/or fobs in their pants pockets.  Why would anyone put the antenna where it would always be in very close proximity to said pockets and thus subject to not working?  As for putting the fob in a shirt pocket, I guess it depends on where you buy your shirts but chest pockets in shirts are becoming harder and harder to find in casual attire.  Maybe everyone should buy a nice Harley necklace and hang the fob from that?  Just don't let it hang down too close to the seat though.

Jerry

[Gerhard]

Once again, I have to wonder what the rocket scientists at Harley were thinking.  Most people I know put their keys and/or fobs in their pants pockets.  Why would anyone put the antenna where it would always be in very close proximity to said pockets and thus subject to not working?  As for putting the fob in a shirt pocket, I guess it depends on where you buy your shirts but chest pockets in shirts are becoming harder and harder to find in casual attire.  Maybe everyone should buy a nice Harley necklace and hang the fob from that?  Just don't let it hang down too close to the seat though.

Jerry

Well, it did work flawlessly for about 6 months, then it refused to for about five starting attempts, then it did again. And I don´t think that I had a significant different position of the fob in my pocket 
Maybe this case will fade into history as one of the mysteries of Information Technology ... 

[kojak]

Well, it did work flawlessly for about 6 months, then it refused to for about five starting attempts, then it did again. And I don´t think that I had a significant different position of the fob in my pocket 
Maybe this case will fade into history as one of the mysteries of Information Technology ...

I assume you have 2 FOB's. Does the problem happen with both or just one?

[68 XLCH]

Was not aware of the 3 foot rule.

I always carry my fob in my front pants pocket, safest place for me and have never had your issue.

If you keep it in your top shirt pocket, hopefully it is a pocket with a flap and sturdy button.

I've had sun glasses, pens almost anything come out of a shirt chest pocket.

Maybe the saddle bag is better, if you can remember to remove it when you stop, lock the bags and take the key.

I think it may be an intermittent issue with the fob receiver.

Know your pin and procedure.

[Gerhard]

I assume you have 2 FOB's. Does the problem happen with both or just one?

Sorry to answer so late!
No, the second FOB works well - the problem is already solved: the FOB was fading away. When the dealer checked it, it gave no reaction. He told me, that the fact, that beginning the problems with working a few times, then less and less and finally no reaction at all is a good sign to replace the FOB. Well, I´m in my guarantee - and yes, you may guess right: still waitin for the new one from the MOCO! Of course thats no big thing, cause Nr2 is in good shape - but they really do take their time 
(I´m waiting for the inner fairing since april this year - also guarantee replacement ...)

regards from a rainy Vienna! gerhard.

[TheDevilDawg]

I had a similar experience today took it to the dealer
And checked the ncad 9v battery in the siren/alarm module? It was only 8v
Of course not in stock replaced as recommended w metal hydrate 9v
For $10.00 at local battery+ store
Just sharing info
Hope it helps anyone troubleshooting
FOB battery alarm issues

[moscooter]

 
An obvious "tip" here is to maintain a backup fob battery or two in the saddlebags or available somewhere handy if need be.