Author Topic: Cant get key to turn  (Read 33293 times)

Offline Kurt

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Cant get key to turn
« on: February 15, 2012, 11:12:49 PM »
Im trying to leave my campsite to get some supplies and my bikes key thing wont turn to the on position. I have the fob in my pocket and when i press down nothing happens. And i cant turn the key thing to the right. The red light flashes.

What's going on and how can i start It?

Flathead

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2012, 11:49:13 PM »
Sounds like the battery in the FOB is dead... If you have the spare fob you can hold it up against the back side of the ignition switch and press the stove knob down to see if that is recognized.

Offline Kurt

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2012, 11:59:42 PM »
Sounds like the battery in the FOB is dead... If you have the spare fob you can hold it up against the back side of the ignition switch and press the stove knob down to see if that is recognized.

I do not have the spare fob with me. I am in San Quentin, Mexico and there is not much motorcycle support here. What size batteries does the fob need? I can try to track some down.

Offline Glennn

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2012, 12:53:19 AM »
Hi Kurt, from the manual:

If the battery of the FOB is discharged, key knob cannot be operated.  Remove the emergancy ignition key from the FOB and fit the hollow of the FOB on the projection of the ignition switch, then key knob can be operated after about 2 seconds passed when key knob is pushed

Pic attached from the manual

Battery is also CR2025

Hope this helps!!!
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2012, 04:31:17 AM »
It could be a battery.  It could also be the switch is stuck.  Tap it a bit on the left side of the housing whilst trying to move the switch up and down and side to side.  Happened to me last night but I got it going again.  Typically the fob will send a message to the bike stating the battery is low.  It usually just doesn't fail immediately.  If it was working the day before it could be the sticking switch rather than the battery in the fob.  Course it could be the main battery as well.  We've seen them do the same thing.  Check those connections if you have a tool kit with you.  By the way, the fob battery can be found just about anywhere.  It's very common.  Walmart, drugstores, etc...
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Offline So Cal Joe

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2012, 08:04:49 AM »
Let us know if and how you got it fixed

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Offline Summit670

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2012, 08:25:56 AM »
Thinking about buying a c-14.

Does the FOB/key work if the bike battery is dead?
Will the FOB/key work if the FOB battery is dead or will it only possibly work if the battery is low and you place the hollow of fob over the projection?
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Offline Tim

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2012, 08:29:23 AM »
When I changed fob batteries out, I tried the procedure outlined by Glenn with no battery in a fob. It works.

If the bike battery is dead, it should be charged before you get anything.
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2012, 08:35:42 AM »
Thinking about buying a c-14.

Does the FOB/key work if the bike battery is dead?
Will the FOB/key work if the FOB battery is dead or will it only possibly work if the battery is low and you place the hollow of fob over the projection?

As Tim said above, if the bike's battery is dead, you get nothing and nothing works.

If the fob battery is stone cold dead, you can still start the bike. As outlined above, remove the key from the fob and press the hollow area to the boss above the ignition key on the bike. You should now be able to press the stove knob key down and start the bike.
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Offline wally_games

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2012, 11:31:56 AM »
Im trying to leave my campsite to get some supplies and my bikes key thing wont turn to the on position. I have the fob in my pocket and when i press down nothing happens. And i cant turn the key thing to the right. The red light flashes.

What's going on and how can i start It?

Just out of curiosity, what model year is your C14?
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2012, 11:43:50 AM »
someone with better knowledge may be able to better explain disconnecting the plug under the left side dash.

Anyone seen Brian around lately?
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2012, 12:02:39 PM »
He was here the other day.  He doesn't pop in as much as he used to...
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Offline Jay

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2012, 12:22:03 PM »
Quote
I am in San Quentin, Mexico and there is not much motorcycle support here.

Kurt?

You OK, buddy?  Did it start?
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Offline B.D.F.

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2012, 04:12:18 PM »
Yep, still around but have been busy lately on things unrelated to motorcycles.... and one thing related to motorcycles. :-)  I have a very limited number of KiPass activation switch bypass harnesses and will be putting them up for sale shortly. Not as elegant as a K-rock perhaps but a lot faster and easier.

And regarding this problem, you guys have already said what I would have said- try the dead fob battery method, and if that does not work, check the battery for voltage.

Brian


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Offline Kurt

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2012, 04:49:23 PM »
Kurt?

You OK, buddy?  Did it start?

No luck. I tried the dead battery in fob suggestions with no results. Anyhow, this bike is a 2011 and just a few months old. I couldn't imagine the fob battery being out.

Today I tracked down a voltmeter and the battery voltage measured 12.6 volts. So seems that the battery is ok.

I am trying to figure out towing options. Nearest dealer is probably 350-400 miles away in San Diego. I dont think theres a dealer in Ensenada.

What a pain in the butt. Any other suggestions before I spend a few thousand on towing (!)?

Offline ZG

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2012, 04:57:21 PM »
Did you try the "K-rock" trick yet?

Offline Glennn

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2012, 05:18:24 PM »
On the image I posted showing how the FOB works, it mentions above that about possibilites of intereference from other radio sources (seeing as your batter checks out).  Try moving the bike and see if that helps.
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Offline Kurt

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #17 on: February 16, 2012, 05:24:02 PM »
Did you try the "K-rock" trick yet?

Yes. No help

Offline Kurt

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2012, 05:26:53 PM »
On the image I posted showing how the FOB works, it mentions above that about possibilites of intereference from other radio sources (seeing as your batter checks out).  Try moving the bike and see if that helps.

I had to push it a half mile this mornin to get it indoors. The inability to turn the key persisted.

I am not so pleased with this Kawi that I chose for its reliability. It spend 3 weeks in the shop getting the transmission rebuilt (1,500 miles on it before gear 4 failed), and now this... With 2,300 miles.

Offline ZG

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Re: Cant get key to turn
« Reply #19 on: February 16, 2012, 05:34:58 PM »
I'm just now realizing, aren't you the same one that bought both the new C14 and the R1200RT just like a month ago? And then never posted any pics of either even after many said they didn't believe you??
 
Forgive me if I'm wrong or have you confused with someone else and I'll gladly remove my post, apologize, and eat crow, but this is starting to sound a little fishy to me for some reason...  :-\

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=5675.msg67716#msg67716
 

Anyone else think we're maybe getting played here with this thread?  :-\