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Author Topic: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash  (Read 3515 times)

BrianTRice@gmail.com

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[Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« on: May 05, 2014, 11:00:12 PM »

After 7500 trouble-free miles, my 2013 DS won't start this morning.


Steps so far:

  • The bike booted through its normal startup sequence, and the headlight came on. The green engaged light came on. I tried turning the throttle after disabling the cutout switch but there was no response. The motor also does not make the "cogging" sound.
  • I observed that the battery meter was "empty", even though I had just left the bike plugged in overnight and should be full.
  • I checked for flashing warning lights on the instrument display, but there were none.
  • I turned the bike off and on a few times in hope of prodding it to boot correctly.
  • I checked the battery light window, but none would flash or light up while unplugged, plugged, or turned on.
  • I checked the manual, which has no troubleshooting entry for when the BMS fails to provide any signal at all.


While I'm searching the forums and working from home, does anyone have experience with this? I am not above connecting to the firmware with my computer (having developed firmware before), but my handy dongle hasn't arrived yet for the task so this would be a bit raw, and I don't want to mess with it unnecessarily.
« Last Edit: May 05, 2014, 11:49:36 PM by BrianTRice »
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Current: 2020 DSR, 2012 Suzuki V-Strom
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2014, 11:23:16 PM »

I must add that my dealer is closed on Mondays, or else I'd contact them.
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Current: 2020 DSR, 2012 Suzuki V-Strom
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2014, 12:13:46 AM »

I talked on the phone with Zero's customer support line, who helped me diagnose a CAN Bus Error so I'll take it in to the dealer under warrantee.

Now I get to warm up the V-Strom and see how she rides! She's been a bit neglected...
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kensiko

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2014, 01:07:17 AM »

Good luck!
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2014, 02:09:43 AM »

The bike is at the dealer today for diagnosis. My only delay was arranging the tow under warrantee.
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2014, 04:16:55 AM »

After a while waiting for the part (main battery board, as suspected), my Zero DS is back in shape, and I'll be picking it up shortly. I definitely miss commuting on it! Riding on hills in congested traffic with a clutch and gear shift is just not as fun.
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Bakersbread

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2014, 08:40:28 AM »

Lol this cracks me up I've got a 13 ds and had a few problems and I also have a sv1000s  I loved that bike so so much until I got my zero. Now I ride it and it's so much noise and the clutch does make computing not as much fun. Gotta love the Suzuki v twin tho.
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2014, 11:10:34 PM »

I just commuted on my DS for the first time in four weeks. The bike feels freshly nimble again after swinging around a V-Strom.
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lolachampcar

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2014, 09:34:42 PM »

Needs a MBB. Just ask me how I know :)
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nigezero

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2014, 03:39:01 AM »

Guys; heard recently that there is a reasonably common issue on these late model bikes which is causing a number of problems noted on the forums. Seems there is electrical noise interference which confuses signals and causes a number of faults. Zero were using Ferrite cores and now have a better solution (shielding kit) which sorts it out. Just a thought
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zerotracer

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2014, 03:39:52 AM »

My 2013 Zero S has now the same problem, empty tank and red blinking triangle there is telling me there is a BMS fault.
The bike is now in Hamburg at HD Preformance which is the Zero dealer in Germany.

Hope they can fix the problem
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Zero S ZF11.4 - 2013 - production nr. 2887 - firmware updated 12/3-14 - new BMS board 28/7-14 - ZF12.5 battery upgrade 20/4-16

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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2014, 04:34:13 AM »

Guys; heard recently that there is a reasonably common issue on these late model bikes which is causing a number of problems noted on the forums. Seems there is electrical noise interference which confuses signals and causes a number of faults. Zero were using Ferrite cores and now have a better solution (shielding kit) which sorts it out. Just a thought

That sounds reasonable and is compatible with the vague things my dealer told me. Let's hope it's that simple! I'd like to hit the end of my warrantee next year with the real-world reliability issues sorted out.
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lolachampcar

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #12 on: July 04, 2014, 05:21:11 PM »

My second MBB was revised.  The updated (new revision) MBB is working well in my bike.

By chance did it fail while plugged in at the end of charge?  Put differently, did you come out to ride your bike after charging and find the problem?


Ah, never mind, I just re-read the OP.  I suspect the MBB is the same used on the 2012 bikes, the voltage on the 2013s is higher and that the buck switching power supply that sources the logic on the MBB was not up to the marginally higher input voltage.  This appears to be the area reworked in the new revision MBB.

Again, just a guess on my part.  I have Zero from Zero on this.
« Last Edit: July 04, 2014, 05:23:45 PM by lolachampcar »
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DynoMutt

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #13 on: July 09, 2014, 01:59:32 AM »

My 2013 Zero S has now the same problem, empty tank and red blinking triangle there is telling me there is a BMS fault.
The bike is now in Hamburg at HD Preformance which is the Zero dealer in Germany.

Hope they can fix the problem

I'm in the same boat, I hear ya.  Same symptoms and everything, flashing red light (2,4) and zero battery bars, but it seemed to start happening after a CHAdeMO charge.
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bumblebee

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Re: [Troubleshooting] No BMS lights, no battery level to dash
« Reply #14 on: July 26, 2014, 07:55:03 AM »

Same problem too.  Happened today after work.  Nothing like calling your wife to get the truck and buying a ramp to hall this thing on a nice warm summer day. Many problems with this bike: 1st it was in the shop for firmware recall,  then it had a charge controller problem (replaced ccu twice), now its the BMS board.  I was close to filing New Hampshire lemon law papers a $75 fee before, now I will have to do it.  Can't trust this bike if it has problems as much as this.

Its been more than 30 days in the shop for warranty repairs and I have had it.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2014, 03:07:19 AM by bumblebee »
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