Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: maxtog on August 25, 2019, 10:09:29 AM

Title: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 25, 2019, 10:09:29 AM
Well, solve one problem and another appears.  I have noticed over the last few trips that my front tps (tire pressure sensor) was reading "---".  I have seen this happen in the past, but it is very rare.  No longer.  Yesterday it was absent on my way to a destination, but returned after the next start on the way home.  Today it was absent my entire trip, across 4 starts (initial start, break time, stupid draw bridge, then for gas).  Never a low battery indicator.  Rear one works fine every time.

These are the newer model (potted) sensors, installed under warranty.  My first ones failed with low batteries on 4/2014 with 9K miles (were only 3 years old), with months of random battery warnings, depending on temperature)- very disappointing.  So these are now 4 years old with 32K miles on them, so it was looking pretty good (maybe they really have fixed the design).

I don't recall many, if any, posts showing these symptoms.  Usually they are people who have gotten low battery warnings, or bought their bike used, with already dead sensors.  I am thinking maybe the centrifugal switch is sticking?

Starting to document each occurrence with photos as proof, if this escalates.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: lather on August 25, 2019, 10:19:32 AM
I had one (old style) that got intermittent. Would work only about 5% of the time. I believe it was the "centrifugal switch".
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: jwh20 on August 25, 2019, 10:35:05 AM
While it could be the "centrifugal switch" (as you call it) but that seems quite unlikely.  These TPMS modules use a modern IC accelerometer (i.e. a chip) which is not particularly prone to mechanical failure.  More likely it's the battery itself or connections to the battery.

Either way, there is probably no resolution other than getting a replacement unit.  Some have attempted repairs on these new-style potted modules but I think results have been mixed.  The fact that it shows "---" at times indicates that the unit is still sending data to the bike sometimes.  After a certain amount of time not hearing from the, like if you remove it entirely, the bike will stop flashing that message.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: just gone on August 25, 2019, 11:30:59 AM
I think Fred Harmon has developed a technique to change the batteries on the newer TPMS. However, I haven't researched it since you're too lazy to take care of an air cleaner filter, I'm assuming that taking the TPMS off and mailing it to Arkansas is out of the question. I guess you could always harass your mechanic friend into doing the research for you, but then...hows that harassing going for you? :)
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 25, 2019, 11:36:35 AM
While it could be the "centrifugal switch" (as you call it) but that seems quite unlikely.  These TPMS modules use a modern IC accelerometer (i.e. a chip) which is not particularly prone to mechanical failure.  More likely it's the battery itself or connections to the battery.

That does seem more likely, then.

Quote
Either way, there is probably no resolution other than getting a replacement unit.  Some have attempted repairs on these new-style potted modules but I think results have been mixed.

Mine is under extended warranty still.  Although my 9 years of warranty will be up in April 2020.  So I wouldn't attempt a repair, even if it were the older (serviceable) model.

Quote
The fact that it shows "---" at times indicates that the unit is still sending data to the bike sometimes.  After a certain amount of time not hearing from the, like if you remove it entirely, the bike will stop flashing that message.

I wasn't and haven't gotten any message, error, or warning.  Just when I flip to the TPS screen, it shows "---" for the front and a valid number for the rear.   It acts the same as it does normally, when one first starts the bike and is hasn't gone far enough yet to trigger the sensor to wake up and send data.  It just never seems to wake up.  Except those times it does (which was not at all today).  I will keep monitoring it and documenting.

As much as I like having TPS, they really can be annoying.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 25, 2019, 11:38:33 AM
I think Fred Harmon has developed a technique to change the batteries on the newer TPMS.

I don't think it is a dead battery, although it could be an intermittent connection.

Quote
However, I haven't researched it since you're too lazy to take care of an air cleaner filter, I'm assuming that taking the TPMS off and mailing it to Arkansas is out of the question. I guess you could always harass your mechanic friend into doing the research for you, but then...hows that harassing going for you? :)

Oooooh, you are so mean!  Stop that!
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: B.D.F. on August 25, 2019, 12:16:45 PM
That --- reading indicates that there is no signal for that tire pressure sensor 'slot'. It means the sensor has failed, most likely due to a dead battery although it is remotely possible that the sensor itself has failed.

The 'low battery' warning is actually transmitted from the sensor, which means the sensor is actually working and sending information via RF. When the sensor sends nothing, or is not present, the LCD readout uses the filler '---' because it has no information. At first this seems backwards because we tend to think the display or ECU on the bike is making all of the choices but the low battery warning is actually generated in and sent from the sender itself.

As others have mentioned, potted sensors can have the battery changed; we had one open at tech. day last spring although we did not actually remove the battery. The battery itself is not potted, meaning the epoxy makes a shell and seal around the chamber the battery is inside of. But there is a learning curve to changing the newer types and as I have not gotten to the end of it, I cannot really help you out very much. Of course you can R&R the sensor while the tire is on the wheel, and while the wheel is on the bike at least.

Brian

Well, solve one problem and another appears.  I have noticed over the last few trips that my front tps (tire pressure sensor) was reading "---".  I have seen this happen in the past, but it is very rare.  No longer.  Yesterday it was absent on my way to a destination, but returned after the next start on the way home.  Today it was absent my entire trip, across 4 starts (initial start, break time, stupid draw bridge, then for gas).  Never a low battery indicator.  Rear one works fine every time.

These are the newer model (potted) sensors, installed under warranty.  My first ones failed with low batteries on 4/2014 with 9K miles (were only 3 years old), with months of random battery warnings, depending on temperature)- very disappointing.  So these are now 4 years old with 32K miles on them, so it was looking pretty good (maybe they really have fixed the design).

I don't recall many, if any, posts showing these symptoms.  Usually they are people who have gotten low battery warnings, or bought their bike used, with already dead sensors.  I am thinking maybe the centrifugal switch is sticking?

Starting to document each occurrence with photos as proof, if this escalates.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: B.D.F. on August 25, 2019, 12:39:23 PM
I do not think that is quite how the system works. The '---' means there is no signal from the sensor, not that there is occasional sensor info.. The dashes will never disappear from the LCD screen until 1) power is cycled to the ECU (battery disconnected for some duration, then reconnected) and 2) after powering up, there are no tire pressure sensors at any time. If one sender sends a packet one time, the LCD readout is "activated" for lack of a better word (software switched on) and the display will then again show info. about both tire pressure senders, whether one or both fail to transmit.

Fairly often people will disconnect the main battery from the bike, for whatever reason, then reconnect it only to find the page that shows tire pressure data has 'disappeared'. And it really did- until one of the sensors transmits, and the display page will again reappear with places for data from both sensors, even before the other sensor sends data. If a sensor is truly dead or broken, the same thing happens with the sensor display showing two places for front and rear sensor data from that time forward.

Brian


<snip>

Either way, there is probably no resolution other than getting a replacement unit.  Some have attempted repairs on these new-style potted modules but I think results have been mixed.  The fact that it shows "---" at times indicates that the unit is still sending data to the bike sometimes.  After a certain amount of time not hearing from the, like if you remove it entirely, the bike will stop flashing that message.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 25, 2019, 03:12:05 PM
That --- reading indicates that there is no signal for that tire pressure sensor 'slot'. It means the sensor has failed, most likely due to a dead battery although it is remotely possible that the sensor itself has failed.  The 'low battery' warning is actually transmitted from the sensor, which means the sensor is actually working and sending information via RF. When the sensor sends nothing, or is not present, the LCD readout uses the filler '---' because it has no information.

This is why I suspect there is a failure in the sensor or connection to the battery, not a low or dead battery.  On my previous (original) sensors, I had lots of "low battery" warnings for months, usually when the temps were cold.  On this sensor, I have NEVER had a single warning, ever.  It is hard to believe it can go from working perfectly to a dead battery with no warning, ever.  I suppose it is possible.  Perhaps these newer models don't even send a low-battery warning, or have yet another design flaw where the threshold was set too low (below its ability to even operate).
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: VirginiaJim on August 26, 2019, 04:55:55 AM
Sensor is dead, get it replaced.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: Poseidon on August 29, 2019, 05:49:05 AM
I had both Sensors replaced under warranty earlier this year. I just had the same thing happen with the front tire sensor on Saturday. After about 4-5 miles it started working again. No issues the rest of the day. Had been working perfectly all day prior to this occurrence. I was probably about 250 miles into a 400 mile ride when it happened. Stopped for fuel and it took a while to establish a signal evidently.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: PH14 on August 29, 2019, 09:43:13 AM
After having my sensors replaced more than once under warranty, i decided to let them die. My front has been giving the low battery warning for well over a year, very annoying to say the least. Had it not hijacked the display, I would have had it replaced before the warranty was up in June. Now it had finally died, and I no longer get the warning. I was able to take a nice, peaceful ride to Iowa from Pennsylvania, without having to continually press the two buttons, and endure the bright red light for 800 miles each way. I'm much happier now.   :D  Unfortunately, I will have to endure it again when the rear goes bad.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: olie on August 29, 2019, 10:23:48 AM
if you decide to let die the TPMS without replacement, assuming you no longer have warranty, the sensors can be disabled through a software removal.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 29, 2019, 03:31:06 PM
I had both Sensors replaced under warranty earlier this year.

In a 2017?  That is not good news.

Quote
I just had the same thing happen with the front tire sensor on Saturday. After about 4-5 miles it started working again.

Mine has been doing that on the front for a month or more, but it always came back after a long while.  Last weekend was the first I have seen it never come back, and across several starts.  Need more data before I am sure it is really dead or stuck off.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 29, 2019, 03:34:23 PM
if you decide to let die the TPMS without replacement, assuming you no longer have warranty, the sensors can be disabled through a software removal.

That is a good idea.  Although still pricey when you don't have KDS.

I know I said this before but....
Meanwhile....

The ORIGINAL tire pressure sensors (all 4) on my 2009 Infiniti are still working fine.  A little less mileage than my Concours, but 2 years older (10.5+ years old; I hope I didn't curse them by posting this).  Why is this such a feat for Kawasaki? Especially after a total redesign?
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: Poseidon on August 29, 2019, 03:50:40 PM
In a 2017?  That is not good news.

Mine has been doing that on the front for a month or more, but it always came back after a long while.  Last weekend was the first I have seen it never come back, and across several starts.  Need more data before I am sure it is really dead or stuck off.

Yep. 2017. It was right at a year old when I started getting the low battery warning on both sensors. Bought the bike new in December 2017. I waited until the weather warmed up to make sure it wasn’t temperature related. Stopped by Ultimate Cycle and they replaced them both under warranty. Next time I’m going to time it better since they told me they would mount new tires at the same time for no labor charge. Wasn’t quite due for tires at that time.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: jimmymac on August 30, 2019, 07:05:35 AM
My 2010 has the sensors removed completely and replaced with rubber valve stems. I can scroll to a tire pressure screen with no info. My battery power has been reset more than once since sensor removal.
Your Wife is hawt. 8)
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: PH14 on August 30, 2019, 09:28:39 AM
if you decide to let die the TPMS without replacement, assuming you no longer have warranty, the sensors can be disabled through a software removal.

Once they die, you stop getting the warning. My front is dead, and I no longer get any warning. It is heaven on two wheels.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: olie on August 30, 2019, 09:55:30 AM
Jimmy, now you are fully updated like the Ninja H2 SX and the ZX-14R  8) ;D ... that is my plan when /if Kawasaki does not cover them under my actual 2nd warranty extension.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: olie on August 30, 2019, 09:58:21 AM
Once they die, you stop getting the warning. My front is dead, and I no longer get any warning. It is heaven on two wheels.
my problem is the annoying warning.... I just hope they will quit without the flashing screen warning.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 30, 2019, 11:05:16 AM
Jimmy, now you are fully updated like the Ninja H2 SX and the ZX-14R  8) ;D

Ha- "updated"!

Quote
... that is my plan when /if Kawasaki does not cover them under my actual 2nd warranty extension.

Oh, it will be covered.  Mine were.  If the dealer says otherwise, you have full recourse.  AND it is a great time to get tire mounting free.

my problem is the annoying warning.... I just hope they will quit without the flashing screen warning.

Unless they just go completely dead/defective and suddenly, you will have to put up with months of annoyance.  Been there, done that.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: PH14 on August 30, 2019, 04:36:03 PM

Unless they just go completely dead/defective and suddenly, you will have to put up with months of annoyance.  Been there, done that.

I went through well over a year of low battery warning. Seriously annoying. So happy it finally died.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: Freddy on August 30, 2019, 06:21:46 PM
It's a lot quicker and almost as easy just to fix it and ride safer.   :chugbeer:
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: jimmymac on August 31, 2019, 07:57:25 AM
Updated indeed. If I have to rely on my dash to ride safe, crash me now. ;D
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: PH14 on August 31, 2019, 10:35:16 AM
It's a lot quicker and almost as easy just to fix it and ride safer.   :chugbeer:

Fix what? Replace the sensor? I have never had a tire pressure sensor on any vehicle, give me any warning except a warning saying the sensor is bad. I have had tire issues during the years I have had vehicles with sensors, but I have always caught them before the sensor did. Know sensors can be good, but I also know I don't need them. They have cost me more over the years than they have benefited me.

Now, had Kawasaki not designed the warning so badly, I probably would have had it replaced, under warranty. After the warranty, no, the cost does not justify its benefit for me.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: Poseidon on August 31, 2019, 12:20:02 PM
Fix what? Replace the sensor? I have never had a tire pressure sensor on any vehicle, give me any warning except a warning saying the sensor is bad. I have had tire issues during the years I have had vehicles with sensors, but I have always caught them before the sensor did. Know sensors can be good, but I also know I don't need them. They have cost me more over the years than they have benefited me.

Now, had Kawasaki not designed the warning so badly, I probably would have had it replaced, under warranty. After the warranty, no, the cost does not justify its benefit for me.

Early last summer, I was on my way home. Maybe 3-4 miles away from the house. I noticed something didn’t feel right with the bike, and looked down at the dash at the TPS reading. It hadn’t started warning me yet, but I was definitely loosing air pressure in my rear tire. I was able to keep riding the rest of the way home, but the warning for low tire pressure came on just as I was pulling into my drive way. The tire was for all practical purposes, completely flat by the time I got it parked in the garage, got off, and got my gear off. I had picked up a nail and it was loosing air pretty fast considering the nail was still in the tire.

Long story short, I agree with you that you can feel when there is a tire pressure issue before the dash warning comes on, but had I stopped to check it out along side the road, I never would have made it home before it went flat. With TPS, I was able to watch the air pressure dropping and could gauge when/ if I needed to pull off and stop. For this reason, I like having it.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 31, 2019, 02:50:14 PM
Long story short, I agree with you that you can feel when there is a tire pressure issue before the dash warning comes on, but had I stopped to check it out along side the road, I never would have made it home before it went flat. With TPS, I was able to watch the air pressure dropping and could gauge when/ if I needed to pull off and stop. For this reason, I like having it.

The active low-pressure warning is, indeed, useful.  The whole TPS system is useful.  Knowing there is an issue ahead of time or real-time is valuable.  Easily knowing tire pressures so you can keep them correct also extends tire life tremendously and improves fuel mileage and safety.

What isn't useful is a low battery warning taking over the screen forever, until you press a special "cadence" which is very difficult (and dangerous to do while driving) and then results in a super-bright red light for the entire trip.  Same thing with the fuel warning.

It makes me want to hit a Kawasaki engineer.  What SHOULD happen is a warning that takes over the screen and you press and hold the handle button for 5 seconds to clear it.  Plus it should have had an ambient light sensor to dim the dash indicator (non-dial) lights at night.  The high-beam light is so bright, I had to put a 75% tinted sticker over it so I am not blinded at night when I use them.  That red light is too bright at night, also.

So, back to TPS.  The question that people are asking, which is valid: is Kawasaki's implementation of the TPS system worth the price of sensors, the difficultly with their installation, the inability to check tires until having considerable distance from home, the annoyance with the inevitable low battery warnings, and the way the warnings work?

I know if the batteries had been external (so larger and more easily replaceable or even rechargeable), most everyone would be happy.  Maintenance would be cheap and easy, and warnings would be short and rare.  But, alas, here we are...

Someone could make some good money designing replacement, rechargeable, external sensors that are compatible with the bike's ECU.  Add a buttons on them to manually wake them up when wanted (in addition to auto-wake), and an integrated right-angle chuck so they don't have to be removed to fill air, and I know I would buy them immediately :)  THAT would be a good design.

Just call me "Captain Hindsight"...
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/captain-hindsight
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: Freddy on August 31, 2019, 06:58:17 PM
Updated indeed. If I have to rely on my dash to ride safe, crash me now. ;D

 :rotflmao:  Good for you jimmy.  I like em but we don't need em.   :chugbeer:

Following on from maxtog, the issue I have with them is that the Low Battery warning will flash even when the battery is still slightly above 3v, which is lower that a new battery for sure but not below 3v.   :banghead:  The threshold should be something lower than 3v.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on August 31, 2019, 08:41:39 PM
Yep, front continues to be intermittent.  Left home and it worked, couple of miles later, nothing.  Then several miles later, it was back and stayed back.  Left destination and it didn't work, couple of miles later it was working, then halfway home it cut out and stayed off.  Each time this happens where it ends up dead at my destination, I take a photo of it with ODO before shutting off the bike.  Very odd.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: Freddy on September 01, 2019, 01:38:19 AM
......... I take a photo of it with ODO before shutting off the bike.  Very odd.

Yes very odd behaviour.   ;D
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on September 01, 2019, 05:45:06 AM
Yes very odd behaviour.   ;D

I learned my lesson the first time I had the sensors replaced.  How can you "prove" something is broken to a dealer (and thus, Kawasaki, who has to pay) when it is intermittent?  Because I guarantee if I took the bike in, they would ride it around the block and it would "work fine for them".  And I know you all know what I mean, because odds are, it has happened to you with something.  The first time it was low batteries.  After months of intermittent errors that became almost full-time, they tested it on the warmest day while it was sitting in the sun and, sure enough, no low battery signal.  They waited overnight and tested it the next morning and saw the error.  But with something like this, who knows.

Although, right now, my tires won't pass inspection (which I never both with, anyway) they still have thousands of miles of life left.  I will arrange it such that I will get this fixed with free mounting/balancing (of at least the front tire).  I might not wait as long this time, though.  Depends on how intermittent the problem is.  I can tolerate this a LOT more, since there are no annoying warnings (and, most of the time, I can still eventually get a reading on the pressure, and it is only half the tires).  But the longer the wait, the better the chance if the rear is going to fail and I can get that covered, too.  My 9 years of warranty permanently end on 04/06/2020; I wish it could be extended, again.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: lather on September 01, 2019, 06:55:28 AM
Yep, front continues to be intermittent.  Left home and it worked, couple of miles later, nothing.  Then several miles later, it was back and stayed back.  Left destination and it didn't work, couple of miles later it was working, then halfway home it cut out and stayed off.  Each time this happens where it ends up dead at my destination, I take a photo of it with ODO before shutting off the bike.  Very odd.
My front did exactly that when it got about 7 years old.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: lather on September 01, 2019, 07:00:04 AM
:rotflmao:  Good for you jimmy.  I like em but we don't need em.   :chugbeer:

Following on from maxtog, the issue I have with them is that the Low Battery warning will flash even when the battery is still slightly above 3v, which is lower that a new battery for sure but not below 3v.   :banghead:  The threshold should be something lower than 3v.
The real problem is that lithium ion batteries take a few seconds to come up to full voltage if they have been idle for a while. Kawasaki should have programmed a delay in the warning to compensate.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on September 01, 2019, 07:15:40 AM
The real problem is that lithium ion batteries take a few seconds to come up to full voltage if they have been idle for a while. Kawasaki should have programmed a delay in the warning to compensate.

Agreed, that would have been helpful, too.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on September 01, 2019, 07:17:18 AM
My front did exactly that when it got about 7 years old.

Yeah, but these are the "newly redesigned" sensors :(   I guess some things never change.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: PH14 on September 01, 2019, 09:31:01 AM
I learned my lesson the first time I had the sensors replaced.  How can you "prove" something is broken to a dealer (and thus, Kawasaki, who has to pay) when it is intermittent?  Because I guarantee if I took the bike in, they would ride it around the block and it would "work fine for them".  And I know you all know what I mean, because odds are, it has happened to you with something.  The first time it was low batteries.  After months of intermittent errors that became almost full-time, they tested it on the warmest day while it was sitting in the sun and, sure enough, no low battery signal.  They waited overnight and tested it the next morning and saw the error.  But with something like this, who knows.


When I wanted mine replaced under warranty, I took a picture if the low battery warning the morning I took the bike in to the dealer. It went away after riding some, so I wanted it documented. They accepted the picture, as proof the battery was failing and replaced it.

My last extended warranty ran out in June. I struggled with whether or not to get the TPMS replaced again, but decided to let it die.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 03, 2019, 04:25:01 PM
Had to replace the rear sensor on my Indian.  It would start out ok and then I would stop.  It wouldn't register for a long time after the stop.  Got the two dashes and a warning light on the dash.  Thank goodness Indian did not copy Kwackers on the taking over the screen routine.  Took it in and they could see in the logs that it had failed intermittently and so replaced it.  Cost me $50.  I have the extended warranty.  No hassle from the dealer or Indian in getting it replaced.  Would not have a bike without tire pressure sensors.  Saved me several times with issues with punctures.  You can check your pressures pre-ride all day long but it won't help you if you get a puncture bad enough to leak it down during a ride.  For those of you that poo poo sensors, do you check your tires every day before riding?  I hope  you do.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on September 03, 2019, 05:07:36 PM
Cost me $50.  I have the extended warranty.

Why would it cost you anything, if it was covered under warranty?
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: Freddy on September 03, 2019, 05:19:59 PM
Extended warranty come with a $50 fee for every claim in some policies.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 04, 2019, 04:36:41 AM
Correctomundo.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on October 19, 2019, 02:24:17 PM
TPS still intermittent.  What is interesting is that it will sometimes show a pressure at the start of a ride, then disappear and stay gone the whole trip, then suddenly appear again right when I reach my destination.  Has to be something with the inertial sensor.

A week ago I called and talked to the dealer service manager about the TPS.  I Emailed him several photos of the dash, showing the odo, the "---" for the front pressure and the rear pressure showing normally.  He made a claim to Kawasaki, no prob.  Part arrived a few days ago and I took it in today, along with two new tires.  Warranty pays to mount/balance the front (since they have to do that regardless to replace the sensor).  So I only had to pay for rear ($74 total).

Left the dealer and had pressures showing immediately and the whole way home.  Hopefully that will continue!  I am really bummed that my 9 years of warranty are ending in a few months.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: PH14 on October 20, 2019, 11:19:46 AM
TPS still intermittent.  What is interesting is that it will sometimes show a pressure at the start of a ride, then disappear and stay gone the whole trip, then suddenly appear again right when I reach my destination.  Has to be something with the inertial sensor.

A week ago I called and talked to the dealer service manager about the TPS.  I Emailed him several photos of the dash, showing the odo, the "---" for the front pressure and the rear pressure showing normally.  He made a claim to Kawasaki, no prob.  Part arrived a few days ago and I took it in today, along with two new tires.  Warranty pays to mount/balance the front (since they have to do that regardless to replace the sensor).  So I only had to pay for rear ($74 total).

Left the dealer and had pressures showing immediately and the whole way home.  Hopefully that will continue!  I am really bummed that my 9 years of warranty are ending in a few months.

Do you have LED lights installed?  Someone else reported their LED lights interfered with the signal from the sensors. I read about it in an unnamed forum.  ;)
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on October 20, 2019, 04:02:21 PM
Do you have LED lights installed?  Someone else reported their LED lights interfered with the signal from the sensors. I read about it in an unnamed forum.  ;)

Interesting.  Yes, I replaced the HID lights with LED.  But I did that way back in 03-2017 (2.5 years ago).  Presumably, if it were going to interfere, it would have done so long before it started, and would do so again after the sensor was replaced.  I only have about 50 miles so far, so I can't be 100% sure the problem is completely resolved (it is raining all day today, so all I had was a short trip yesterday).  But I noticed I was getting a reading from the front across all 3 starts, something I have not seen in a long time.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: 2talltim on October 21, 2019, 06:52:09 AM
I too have had this intermitten problem the last couple of year and it very well could have started about the time I installed the LED headlights. Never really thought about that before.
Title: Re: TPS "----", not battery
Post by: maxtog on October 21, 2019, 03:01:14 PM
I too have had this intermitten problem the last couple of year and it very well could have started about the time I installed the LED headlights. Never really thought about that before.

It is a plausible theory.  Some electronics can generate copious amounts of RFI, especially if not designed well.  And every headlight kit and electronic gadget is different.

Just remember, in my case, I had no problems at all for years with my front TPS and my particular LED headlights.  I  am almost positive it was a bad TPS.  Won't know for sure until I have several more rides.  Since I am in a maintenance mode and it has been very rainy, it might be a while before I can post confidently that it is fixed (and with no relation to the headlights), but I place the odds at about 98% sure right now.