Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: stevewfl on September 16, 2011, 03:06:19 PM

Title: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 16, 2011, 03:06:19 PM
Trip to a meeting from Tampa to Southbeach/Miami.   My dash was hijacked  for a "transponder battery low" warning flashing the WHOLE 600 MILE TRIP! I could not make it stop!

The Chinese Water torture methodology has nothing on the Kawasaki engineering, that crap is going to flash in my sleep for a month or two!

Then again, >41,000 miles without a single flaw on this bike....  Thanks Kawasaki  ;D
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture
Post by: DenverC-14 on September 16, 2011, 03:51:09 PM
Um, why didn't you change the battery?  ???
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture
Post by: stevewfl on September 16, 2011, 03:55:06 PM
Um, why didn't you change the battery?  ???

I was on a trip. Between getting there, the "view" on Southbeach,  the meeting, and getting back a battery was the last thing on my mind (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: lt1 on September 16, 2011, 04:58:11 PM
Well, should we tell him about the buttons?

Or the other easy solution?

Nah.
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 16, 2011, 05:02:15 PM
Well, should we tell him about the buttons?

Or the other easy solution?

Nah.

Yes - That one! hhhh.... Take the battery out and use the tiny credit card fob and forget it forever?
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: DenverC-14 on September 16, 2011, 05:07:47 PM
Personally, I would've made a detour to a wally world and picked up a battery. I wouldn't be able to stand that thing yelling at me all day  >:(
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: lt1 on September 16, 2011, 05:42:05 PM
Yes - That one! hhhh.... Take the battery out and use the tiny credit card fob and forget it forever?
No, the easy one.  Just hold the fob to the steering head when you unlock the bike.  Then you don't get the low battery message.

Any reason you didn't just use the buttons?
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 16, 2011, 05:54:44 PM
No, the easy one.  Just hold the fob to the steering head when you unlock the bike.  Then you don't get the low battery message.

Any reason you didn't just use the buttons?

I tried a trillion buttons and combos, couldn't figure it out and didn't have my owners manual and between meetings and Southbeach/Miami didn't have time to post up from phone for you dash experts to help me  ;D
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: cRAsH on September 16, 2011, 06:03:51 PM
Michelins will cause the batteries to go out faster, you need to remove your tire pressure sensors and reset the whole system.
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 16, 2011, 06:10:32 PM
Michelins will cause the batteries to go out faster, you need to remove your tire pressure sensors and reset the whole system.


yes sir, I'll have to do something (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Conrad on September 17, 2011, 06:37:01 AM
I tried a trillion buttons and combos, couldn't figure it out and didn't have my owners manual and between meetings and Southbeach/Miami didn't have time to post up from phone for you dash experts to help me  ;D

Press and hold the top button in, then press and release the bottom button, then release the top button.
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 17, 2011, 06:59:58 AM
If Steve has to press any buttons to fix anything he'll sell it and buy a Honda...
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Conrad on September 17, 2011, 07:03:35 AM
If Steve has to press any buttons to fix anything he'll sell it and buy a Honda...

I hope that his wiminz don't have any buttons that need pressing...    :o
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 17, 2011, 08:49:31 AM
If Steve has to press any buttons to fix anything he'll sell it and buy a Honda...

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)

Honda lacks the mad pow-ah of KiPass!   :o :-\ :'(
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 17, 2011, 08:50:13 AM
I hope that his wiminz don't have any buttons that need pressing...    :o

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)

They don't yap like that dash did (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Conrad on September 18, 2011, 07:37:06 AM
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)

They don't yap like that dash did (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 18, 2011, 10:43:21 AM
I got a new battery today, dilemma resolevd  8)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 18, 2011, 10:53:21 AM
I'm surprised you didn't buy a Honda, Steve.  ;)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 18, 2011, 11:51:32 AM
I'm surprised you didn't buy a Honda, Steve.  ;)

OK I'll be honest. Honda serves as good bait to keep things lively in a Kawi forum, and my C14 Kawi (cough-cough) has been the most reliable bike I've owned. Never thought I'd say such.  Plus, I have a Honda in the stable.  Actually two Hondas  if you count my pressure washer (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)


And its a TOUCHDOWN when a pretty lady comes over and runs the Honda pressure washer as "prep" as she restores and repaints the patio furniture  ;D

(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307306_2095357058137_1071635590_2334530_7055871_n.jpg)

And then smiles about it all that night!

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/LR/20110909-20110909-DSC_0426.jpg)





Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: B.D.F. on September 18, 2011, 04:28:38 PM
Another engineering triumph! Congrats Steve, you have learned to adapt and overcome....

Brian

I got a new battery today, dilemma resolevd  8)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 20, 2011, 06:29:41 AM
Another engineering triumph! Congrats Steve, you have learned to adapt and overcome....

Brian

Yea, 1st issue KiPass didn't "auto-overcome" for me on this bike. 

Disclaimer, I still haven't opened the red tool box to fix anything on this bike.  I used the luggage key to pop the FOB open (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Rhino on September 20, 2011, 08:14:38 AM
Chinese water torture is the perfect description of this problem. I absolutely hate warning messages taking over the whole screen. The "low fuel" warning is especially annoying. Reaching through the handle bars to press the buttons is dangerous but it is so annoying I am tempted to do it anyway. As soon as you press the display button on the handle bars it should go away. Besides this is precisely when I would want to see the range function.

My Toyota has the same problem. The oil change warning and low washer fluid warning take over the display. The oil change I can pull over and reset but the only way to stop the low washer fluid is to add more. No display for you until you do it. I'm waiting for the next oil change warning, then I will use up all the washer fluid and see which annoying warning wins.

BTW: if you have low fuel and low fob battery and low TPS batteries, which one wins?
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: C1xRider on September 20, 2011, 10:45:46 AM
They stack up, and the last one activated, is the first one you need to clear.  After that, they clear in the reverse order they ocurred (last happened, next in line to clear) .

Maybe you should just add the washer fluid to the oil on that Toyota.  ;)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: saddletramp on September 20, 2011, 09:15:53 PM
I replaced my batteries but a few months back & Saturday I got the dreaded "Low Transponder" message.  I was only on a short round trip from home so no big deal.

Upon arriving home, I took the KPASS transponder apart & bent the little ears out that touch the battery.  After putting the FOB back together the message was gone.

I didn't really believe my batteries were bad in less than 90 days.
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on September 23, 2011, 07:10:24 AM
My new battery is still good.  Considering all the magical duties the FOB/KiPass performs, its amazing my old battery lasted so long.  Its the most energy efficient device known to man (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Mister Tee on July 20, 2012, 08:27:09 AM
Hep me! Hep me!!

I'm at work here with no manual and I got the "Transponder Battery Low" message.

1.  What battery do I need?

2.  How do I open the case?  (looks like a small screwdriver prys the case from the bottom but I don't want to break something.)


EDIT:  Battery - CR2025 3V from the FAQ but I still would like guidance in opening the case!
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Conrad on July 20, 2012, 08:35:03 AM
Don't panic! Even if the battery goes dead you can still start your bike. Pull the slim key from the fob and place the fob on the boss above the stove knob key and press the key in as normal.


1.  What battery do I need?

The battery that you need is the fob battery, CR2025 3v.

2.  How do I open the case?  (looks like a small screwdriver prys the case from the bottom but I don't want to break something.)
 
Bingo, pry gently.
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Mister Tee on July 20, 2012, 08:39:21 AM
#3 on my list was to panic.  Whew.  I guess I don't need to go there.  Thanks.  I'll make a Wally World run at lunch time.  As luck would have it, there was a watch battery in the stock room but it was a 2032.
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Mister Tee on July 20, 2012, 02:25:46 PM
Done!
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: Conrad on July 21, 2012, 06:16:10 AM
No breakage?
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: maxtog on July 21, 2012, 08:50:52 AM
Chinese water torture is the perfect description of this problem. I absolutely hate warning messages taking over the whole screen. The "low fuel" warning is especially annoying. Reaching through the handle bars to press the buttons is dangerous but it is so annoying I am tempted to do it anyway. As soon as you press the display button on the handle bars it should go away. Besides this is precisely when I would want to see the range function.

Couldn't agree with you more.  It is one of the worst design decisions on the Concours.  Errors should be clearable by simply holding in the handlebar button for a long time and range should never be hidden- it should at least flip into being an odometer since the reserve condition was hit.

And I can't stand all that flashing and crap while I am trying to ride and will admit, although it is dangerous, I will clear it while riding by reaching up and messing with the damn two button sequence on the dash.  I wish Kawasaki would offer a software update to change it.
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: daringdave on July 22, 2012, 12:05:39 PM
Couldn't this issue be addressed as part of the ECU reflash? I don't want my display being held hostage, either... Yes, I want to know I'm low on fuel, but I really want to know what my approximate range is, too.

Has anyone ever asked Guhl whether he could modify this?   ;D
Title: Re: Chinese Water Torture - Transponder battery low message
Post by: stevewfl on July 22, 2012, 10:17:33 PM
Anything would beat the chinese water torture, compliments of mother-Kawi  (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)