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Author Topic: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS  (Read 649 times)

Verichai

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Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« on: April 22, 2020, 05:27:10 AM »

Hi everyone. Hoping I can get some help/insight. I have a 2018 FXS. Last fall, I took the bike to the dealer for the 600 mile service and to have an annoying squeak addressed. I asked them not to do the software update, as the bike was working fine and I didn't want to mess with it. They insisted that the software be updated, so I relented. Sure enough, after the update there was a CEL or error code they could not clear. They went back and forth with Zero and ended up replacing the BMS. This also did not clear the CEL and so was not even necessary. A Zero technician was eventually able to clear the CEL by "going into the lower levels of the software". This whole thing took three weeks and I was pretty frustrated. I didn't like the idea of my brand new bike being taken apart in the first place. When I picked it up, I noticed some of the wiring seemed sloppy (see pic) but when I asked the technician about it, he insisted that was normal and fine. He also stated that he rode it for 30 minutes and didn't notice any unusual squeaking or other sounds. I got 20 minutes away and the squeaking started again.  >:( Fast forward to this past weekend, I get the bike out of storage, charge it for 24 hours and get it out on the road to discover that my hazards and turn signals are not working. Everything else works fine, taillights, headlights, etc. I have not checked the fuses but assume that if it was the fuse, the taillight would also be out as they are on the same circuit?

Any ideas? And can someone look at this photo and tell me if that is how that is supposed to look? I only a few more months of warrantee and want to get these issues addressed before it's up. Thanks! 
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Say10 15FX 16FXS

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2020, 05:43:25 AM »

Modular batteries? If so you can pop the front battery out and see the fuses from underneath. If not the plastics are easy to remove with a 3mm Allen and a couple snap rivets. Most likely the flasher relay is bad or sticking (little square black box). I replaced mine when I switched to LED signals. Three prong readily available at the auto parts store or wherever but the poles have to be oriented correctly. I’ll try and see if I still have the number when I go to the garage later.
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Verichai

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2020, 06:47:53 AM »

I’ll try and see if I still have the number when I go to the garage later.

Thank you! And I have the single, 7.2 battery pack in mine, I'll see if I can pull the fuses.
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2020, 06:49:58 AM »

Relevant unofficial manual articles:
- https://zeromanual.com/wiki/Turn_Signal_Flasher
- https://zeromanual.com/wiki/XMX_Platform/Electrical_Routing

Good luck! Sounds like a fuse, the relay, or the wiring into the relay.
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Verichai

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2020, 10:05:24 AM »

Good luck! Sounds like a fuse, the relay, or the wiring into the relay.

Thank for the links! Yep, I agree. I checked the fuse which was good. So I pulled the relay, which I suspect is the issue. I'll see if I can track down a replacement...
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Verichai

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2020, 02:36:22 AM »

Update: No luck finding a replacement for the flasher relay on my own. All the ones I found online were for LED bulbs. I contacted the dealer 2 miles from my house who informed me that, per Zero, they are not allowed to service bikes prior to model year 2019 when they became a dealer. If true, this is just an absolutely abysmal practice in terms of customer service. Next I reached out to Zero directly and after a very slow back and forth of emails, I was informed that my bike is no longer under warranty even though I bought it less than two years ago. When I questioned this, they informed me that I had actually purchased a demo bike and that the warranty on demos starts when they are delivered to the dealership. Selling dealer did not inform me that the bike was a demo and as such would have a shorter warranty period. Zero did offer to make an exception and replace the flasher relay but told me I would have to take it to a dealership. Since apparently I can't take it to my local dealer, the next nearest dealer is over 60 highway miles away, too far to ride the bike. I called that dealer, which is where I bought the bike and explained the situation.  The owner offered to send me the relay in about a week and a half. So that's where I am. I have to say, this level of customer service is really disheartening. When you spend $10,000 on something, and when you're an advocate for the brand, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to be taken care of with a little urgency and professionalism. I'm disappointed. I constantly have people asking me about the bike, at stoplights and parking lots, and I've always espoused it's virtues. Now however, I think I also have to start mentioning to people the realities of owning something like this, thanks to Zero's policies and practices. Will update when I get the part. Thanks!
« Last Edit: April 25, 2020, 05:30:36 AM by Verichai »
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Crissa

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2020, 02:39:05 AM »

Did you ask Zero about the policy of dealers not servicing bikes they didn't sell?

That just seems wrong.

-Crissa

Also a blinker relay isn't a special component, it's just like changing it on any other bike.  LED-okay relays should be fine with the older lamps.
« Last Edit: April 25, 2020, 02:41:08 AM by Crissa »
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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2020, 03:08:53 AM »

An LED-compatible relay will work fine. Any off the shelf relay at a local auto parts store that has matching wiring will work.

Your interpretation of your treatment seems unrealistic. Nearly every Zero owner has the same experience answering questions. You're not special.

That said, the idea that the dealer isn't allowed to service earlier (than 2019) bikes is something I've never heard of and doesn't make sense.

I would also like to remind you that you've not directly shown proof that the relay is at fault, so be aware that a new relay may not fix your problem, and I do not want anger directed at me or Zero because your troubleshooting was too hasty.
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Crissa

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2020, 03:14:31 AM »

My dealer's troubleshooting process was 'put in a new relay and see if it works'.

So I'm not sure Verichai's diagnosis is so hasty.  Still, it could be the switch as well, but that would just be a pain to attempt to diagnose.

-Crissa
« Last Edit: April 25, 2020, 03:23:40 AM by Crissa »
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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2020, 03:16:07 AM »

I'm not sure, either. I'm cautioning because the post is aggrieved and there seems to be more going on here than they're admitting.
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Crissa

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2020, 03:26:36 AM »

I'd find it more likely the dealer's liability didn't want to take on earlier model years... but the prior dealer might have put in a no-compete clause Zero was bound by, too.  It's hard to say without getting a response.

Demo models usually don't get their full warrantee, tho.  That's pretty normal.

But being turned away for a blinker relay?  That's just not cool, period.

-Crissa
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Verichai

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2020, 04:53:47 AM »

there seems to be more going on here than they're admitting.

Like what? I'm just navigating this experience and sharing the process here for the reference of anyone who may have a similar issue in the future...

I did forget to mention that the dealer I bought the bike from never told me I was buying a demo model, so I was not aware of that until I learned it from Zero yesterday. I thought the bike was 'new' and assumed it had a full warrantee. I think I've conveyed my experience so far with complete transparency...

And I'm not mad at anyone...just disappointed in some of the aspects of this experience.
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Verichai

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2020, 04:56:33 AM »

Did you ask Zero about the policy of dealers not servicing bikes they didn't sell? That just seems wrong.

Right? I did ask but they have not gotten back to me yet.
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Auriga

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2020, 04:56:55 AM »

How many miles did it have when you purchased it? Dealers can absolutely screw up and either not know about or not tell owners they're demo models. Demo models are supposed to be discounted, due to their use as a demo.
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Verichai

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Re: Blinkers/Hazards not working '18 FXS
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2020, 05:18:46 AM »

How many miles did it have when you purchased it? Dealers can absolutely screw up and either not know about or not tell owners they're demo models. Demo models are supposed to be discounted, due to their use as a demo.

I don't remember exactly what the odometer said when I bought it, I want to say it was around 50-80 miles. The title lists the odometer reading as 36. I did negotiate the price down a bit. When I spoke to the owner of the dealership yesterday he said the same thing, there had been some confusion around bikes they received from Zero and didn't realize they were supposed to be demos.
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