Transponder Antenna

[chap]

I have been keeping my Transponder in the Left Glove box, with no problems until now.

I Installed a new battery in the FOB this year and have been OK until last weekend. I installed some LED Driving Lights, so had the upper fairing coves off, glove box out and was inside some of the fuse boxes during the install.

Now when I put my Transponder in the Glove Box I get "NO TRANSPONDER" after about a minute. This has never happened before. As soon as I remove the Transponder from the Glove Box the error goes away.

I am wondering if I have inadvertantly moved the antenna to a worse reception location, or somehow made a Faraday Cage out of a plastic box.

Does anyone know where the antenna is??

Thanks for any suggestions. Of course the easy solution is to not use the box, but I would like to.

[stevewfl]

My FOB works 6-8 feet from the bike no matter if its in my glovebox or my pocket or a sidebag or Teressa's bra

Might want to put another fresh battery in it 

[VirginiaJim]

Something you installed is interfering with the reception.  You can try another battery.  It may or may not help.

[chap]

Something you installed is interfering with the reception.  You can try another battery.  It may or may not help.

Interference is possible. There is a PCM controller for the LED Lights. Another battery is definately a good idea.

Thanks

[maxtog]

I have been keeping my Transponder in the Left Glove box, with no problems until now.

There is a reason there is a big sticker warning you NOT to store the fob in the glove box.  If you want someone to steal your bike... that is a very good way to encourage it........

[The antenna is not movable]

[chap]

There is a reason there is a big sticker warning you NOT to store the fob in the glove box.  If you want someone to steal your bike... that is a very good way to encourage it........

[The antenna is not movable]

Its only in there when I am on the bike, It is removed when I am parked.

[maxtog]

Its only in there when I am on the bike, It is removed when I am parked.

Why not put the Fob in a zippered jacket pocket or pants pocket?

[VirginiaJim]

That's where I keep mine.  Under the riding pants...  That way I can't lose it.

[Conrad]

Why not put the Fob in a zippered jacket pocket or pants pocket?

My riding jacket has two inside secured pockets. One is where my fob lives (and only comes out when it needs a new battery or I wash the jacket) the other is the perfect size for my cell.

[chap]

Why not put the Fob in a zippered jacket pocket or pants pocket?

On Long trips I do, but in town on hot days I have a cooler jacket i use. But it does't have a zippered pocket, so I am constantly worried about it falling out.

All great suggestions, but my question was about the change in sensitivity of the transponder. I will be checking to see if the addition of the PWM Light controller is creating interference noise.

Thanks everyone for your responses

[Conrad]

On Long trips I do, but in town on hot days I have a cooler jacket i use. But it does't have a zippered pocket, so I am constantly worried about it falling out.

All great suggestions, but my question was about the change in sensitivity of the transponder. I will be checking to see if the addition of the PWM Light controller is creating interference noise.

Thanks everyone for your responses

I'll bet that it's the interference from the controller. There have been reports of similar occurrences. Some folks have even reported issues with interference from Speed Pass gas pumps. Their bikes wouldn't start till they pushed the bike away from the pump.

[chap]

It will be easy for me to test. I have a main switch that will turn off the controller, and see if it goes away. I'll maybe wrap it in tin foil.

Just checked the volts on my brand new CR2025. 2.95v Grrrr. So I'll get another battery as well, but check it before I leave the store. We have lots of the CR2032's here at work 3.25v but just cant get it to fit properly.

[B.D.F.]

Yeah, that battery voltage is low so a new (a new battery with a proper voltage reading) battery might solve your problem.

The problem might also be caused by the wiring of the lights themselves. We have seen this before after the installation of HID headlights; the fob simply no longer works when kept where it was kept before the HID install and worked fine. The problem is in both the wiring and the square wave AC of the HIDs- it puts out a fair amount of electrical noise and that interferes with the transmission of the fob. I believe most, if not all, high output LED lights for vehicular use are PWM controlled which again will be a square wave and again put out a fair amount of electrical noise. It is the nature of all 'pocket' fobs that they put out a very weak signal due to the power available to them (a coin battery lasts years) so they are not able to punch through much interference.

Brian

It will be easy for me to test. I have a main switch that will turn off the controller, and see if it goes away. I'll maybe wrap it in tin foil.

Just checked the volts on my brand new CR2025. 2.95v Grrrr. So I'll get another battery as well, but check it before I leave the store. We have lots of the CR2032's here at work 3.25v but just cant get it to fit properly.

[VirginiaJim]

It will be easy for me to test. I have a main switch that will turn off the controller, and see if it goes away. I'll maybe wrap it in tin foil.

Just checked the volts on my brand new CR2025. 2.95v Grrrr. So I'll get another battery as well, but check it before I leave the store. We have lots of the CR2032's here at work 3.25v but just cant get it to fit properly.

Don't forget the tin foil for the helmet as well...  Just sayin...

[MrPepsi]

I believe if the battery was the issue he would get a low battery warning not a "No Transponder" warning. I don't think it sees it at all.

[maxtog]

I'll bet that it's the interference from the controller.

That is my guess too

There have been reports of similar occurrences. Some folks have even reported issues with interference from Speed Pass gas pumps. Their bikes wouldn't start till they pushed the bike away from the pump.

Well, the bike would, indeed, start if they just used the passive part of the active fob to start the bike   But pushing it away a few feet might be easier.  Just sayin'....

[maxtog]

I believe if the battery was the issue he would get a low battery warning not a "No Transponder" warning. I don't think it sees it at all.

It is possible if the active fob battery were weak, it could be transmitting at a lower power level than "normal".  If the battery were over 1.5 years old (and absolutely if 2 years+), I would change it as a first test.

[Conrad]

Well, the bike would, indeed, start if they just used the passive part of the active fob to start the bike   But pushing it away a few feet might be easier.  Just sayin'....

I'm sure that you're right Max but it seems that some folks can't wrap their heads around how this system works.

[chap]

I Installed a new battery 3.2v in the transponder, Still gives issues. So i turned of the LED Lights and bingo the transponder now works in the front glove box. So at least I now know the cause. I will store the transponder somewhere else from now on. Problem Solved.  Thanks All

[The Pope]

Don't forget the tin foil for the helmet as well...  Just sayin...