ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Fgauthier on February 19, 2015, 07:56:34 AM
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Hi, after a fun day in Hollister with my 2013 FX with new tires, the bikes was really dirty (full of mud). I was careful power washing the bike to make sure I was not aiming at the dash board or electrical components (mostly tires and fenders). it has been 4 days now and I still have blinking lights (both are 4 or 5 rapid flash). I think it is a contact error. I sent the Log to Zero and that was there guess.
Any ideas of what I can try . I hate having to go to the dealer. Other than the flashing lights, the bike seems to be working fine.
Thanks for your help
Francois
PS: did I mentioned that the bike was a blast to ride in the dirt.
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Put it in a room with some heat, or a dehumidifier and wait.
Does the red warning light and the green light flash at the same time?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBywwWK5T8s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBywwWK5T8s)
(ignoring the temperature sensor light of course)
When I "wash" any bike I use a hand held spray bottle ... pressure hoses or even a normal hose you thumb close should never be used.
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It is 2 red lights flashing very fast the warning light and he heat warning light . It is a 2013 FX . I think it is 4 or 5 rapid flash and then a few second and again.
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Its most likely an electrical isolation error.
I think the red triangle flashing fast is a BMS isolation warning, and the fast temp/running light is a chassis isolation error.
Look into the BMS window, with the bike switched OFF, is it flashing the red and last green LED; Something like this O00O ?
That's the BMS's own onboard isolation warning.
Pressure washers and bikes (inc ICE) in general do not always mix well.
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Maybe a session with a hair dryer would help dry out any remaining moisture?
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Pressure washers will also destroy
Pressure washers and bikes (inc ICE) in general do not always mix well.
Yepper doodle. Pressure washers will also destroy wheel & triple-tree bearings.
"But I didn't aim at the bearings!" Sorry, doesn't seem to matter in a few of my friend's experiences.
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I got caught in a terrible driving-rain storm a year ago on my 2013 Zero S and although the bike never stopped, I got a flashing red light as soon I re-booted. I used a fan to try and dry things out to no avail, but after riding the bike 5 miles or so (after the sun came out and the roads were dry), the warning light stopped blinking and never came back.
I also am careful to only wash the bike where it's dirty and try not to get water up under the seat or on the instrument panel.
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Where do you live?
Did you turn on the bike right after you washed it?
Did you wash it with the batteries in the bike?
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Every time it rains I get the warning light and green light flashing at the same time. It turns off by the next day.
The whole front of my bike is covered right now with a plastic bag ... So where is the short ? Lol
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Personally I think its either:
a) Spray getting up onto the Sevcon (Burton I believe yours is on top of your battery and not over the rear wheel? so it might not be that)
b) Spray going over the rear of the battery box and all those connectors.
or both...
I'm thinking of fitting an extender to the rear wheel hugger, to see if that will reduce the amount of spray coming off the rear wheel and going over the back of the bikes electronics.
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There are a few things that could cause the isolation error. The first thing I would try is removing the batteries from the bike. Look in the window and see if there is any water or condensation. Pop off the rubber cover and hold down the two buttons inside for a few seconds until the LEDs go solid to reset the BMS. Make note of the LED flashing pattern following the reset.
Check the Anderson connectors on the bike and battery side. They will have dielectric grease but should be clean of debris and water.
Put it all back together and see if that fixed it.
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Controller is over rear wheel with a cover over it but spray could get up there I think. My wires are ontop the battery ;)
So try and keep water off top of controller? I have dielectric on the back of the 35 pin molex ;)
I also have a hanging Anderson connector needing some covering love dangling behind battery
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I did wash the bike with the battery in but I did not turn the bike until the next day to make sure it was dry. Now, I am happy to report that after 4 days, the fault code disappeared. I have definitely learned a lesson and I hope this tread was informative and will prevent others from doing the same mistake.
I hope that the next generation of bikes will be more resistant to moisture (ok, not pressure washing) ... The FX is a blast to ride in the dirt with the right tire. I live in Milpitas , Ca (rain is not really a problem) but riding in the dirt and mud can get the bike pretty dirty
Zero Motorcycle customer support also came back with the suggestion to remove the battery and press the reset bottom (located under the small rubber cover). I did send the log to them and it looks like they were able to isolate a potential source of the problem
Thanks you all for you help and suggestion.
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I just re-read the tread and Harlan's suggestion is what Zero customer service suggested as well. Go to know if there are a next time :)
Thanks again
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Whenever I was my Zero (or any motorcycle for that matter) I always go for a short ride afterward to make sure that all of the parts, such as the motor, electrics, brakes and other stuff are completely dry before returning to my garage.