[ralral]

I was to take delivery yesterday of a 2009 Spyder but they had lost the keys and it would not start with the new keys they made. Waiting on the new security module to arrive?? So I did a bit of web surfing last night to ease the wait. Found a lot of posts about the Steering problems. I knew there had been a few but not that many.
The question I have is how many of you have had this problem and has it been resolved? Seems like communications with some dealers has been spotty. The unit I bought had been sitting in the back for quite a while and had never been serviced or started till they tried to start it with the "new" key. If it has never been run I do not see how the recall work could have been done....? Does anyone know the cutoff numbers on the units with this flaw?

Thanks

RAL

 

[spydermanjimmy]

steering problems

I have an 08 that had the steering issue. Itook it to the dealer underthe recall notice. I just sat on the bike while they hooked up the computer to it and made the ajustments while I waited. It took about 15 minutes the alter the steering program and it made all the difference in the world. It didn't seem like the same machine. I LOVE IT.

 

[Spyderman]

For the most part, al I have heard has been both positive about the "reflash" and only minor "hard to steer" comments on the bikes that had the issue. The exception is this recent post where the rider had a major problem.

I'm a car-not, and drive by wire/electric power steering is on the cutting edge. If any have experienced the loss of power brakes or power steering while driving you know how scary it can be. The Spyder recall is a bit different as the power steering is still working, just not doing what the rider expects/wants.

Hear is a link to the original Spyder power steering recall notice

Here is a link to the NHTSA recall

There have been several problems with the re-flash though, in some cases the computer does not "like-it/take-it" and a bunch of codes will pop-up. If this happens, BRP has another notice out saying to contact them for authorization to replace the entire PS unit.

I found this article includes the date of manufacture included in the recall:

It shouldn't come as a surprise that a vehicle as innovative as the three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder would face a few teething problems during its first few years on the market. Unfortunately, one particular aspect of the machine's power steering system has reportedly caused at least three injuries, though none have so far been life threatening. To remedy the apparent defect, Can-Am has agreed to voluntarily recall some 12,500 Spyders (9,932 of them sold in the United States) that were manufactured between July 2007 and May 2009.

The recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which can be viewed here, seems a bit ambiguous on the actual cause or effect of the steering problem, saying only that "the operator of an involved vehicle may need to exert a force greater than expected to initiate the turning of the steering handlebar off centre in order to correct vehicle drift from a straight line path." Uh-huh. Company spokeswoman Johanne Denault shed a little more light on the problem when she told The Canadian Press, "The vehicle is not going to start zig zagging, it's only a small drift."

"Small drift" or not, owners of possibly affected units are urged to contact Bombardier Recreational Products at 1-866-767-0707 or see their local dealers for a free inspection and replacement of the affected bits. Kongsberg Inc., suppliers of the Spyder's power steering system, will reportedly pay for repairs. We've reached out to BRP to see if we could obtain a more thorough explanation of the problem or the intended solution, but we've not yet heard back.

 

[karsonkid]

Steering concerns on newer spyders

The real question is - do we believe this issue has been totally corrected on units built after May 09? As a potential new spyder owner - I need to know if anyone has had this issue with any of the newer units. I have been thinking of buying my first spyder used but now I am afraid to do so. Is an older spyder with the "fix" really OK? I have seen some posts that suggest the problem will return. Help

 

[woodz428]

I bought mine used and it had about 4K on it. I've put another 500 since( weather permitting..this is Illinois). Never experienced any steering problems. Had the software update at the dealer 2 weeks ago and rode it the 60+ miles home at speeds up to 94 indicated and have had no problems. It seems to be a hit and miss as to which ones will have an issue/problem. Mine is a 2008 SM5, so it's an early model that falls into the potential "pool".

 

[jan1100]

Power Steering Light

The power steering light comes on when I first start my 2008 GS. I let it run for about a minute, turn it off then restart it and the light does not come on.

Sometimes the light never comes on. Is this part of the power steering software fix?

Purchased used in Iowa.

Jan

 

[spyderdave]

@jan1100 - I'd take it into the dealer. My first un-educated guess is low power steering fluid. That is not a typical behavior for any Spyders.

 

[Corybud]

If I understood your question you should have the dealer look your spyder and see if the dynamic power steering unit has been replaced. BRP had to replace mine and it was a brand new 2010.

Is the dealer you are working with a can am dealer that sells spyders? If not find a spyder dealer to look your spyder up for recall work done. Seems like they should have known that the keys are chipped and I would be wondering why they did not have even one key.

 

[Corybud]

The real question is - do we believe this issue has been totally corrected on units built after May 09? As a potential new spyder owner - I need to know if anyone has had this issue with any of the newer units. I have been thinking of buying my first spyder used but now I am afraid to do so. Is an older spyder with the "fix" really OK? I have seen some posts that suggest the problem will return. Help

BRP did a recall on all spyders built up through what I understand to be 2010. The Dynamic Power steering unit was replaced with a redesigned unit and have not heard of any problems once the unit is changed out and the computer is re calabrated properly. There is always a possibility that not every spyder got the power steering unit replaced but any spyder dealer should be able to look up the machine to very if it has been changed out or not.

 

[jan1100]

@jan1100 - I'd take it into the dealer. My first un-educated guess is low power steering fluid. That is not a typical behavior for any Spyders.

Thank you! I will go to the dealer today. Saturday... no mechanic on duty! Does anyone know how to check the power steering oil level.

Jan

 

[Arr MiHardies]

most of of the time after the 09 recall, steering issues at speed are caused by newer riders holding the grips too hard and overcontrolling the machine.

 

[jan1100]

The problem is not the power steering. It is the oil sending unit. P0520 is the code.
I have now read that the oil sending unit fails frequently. Has anyone put in a
real gauge?