2008 RMK 700 display not turning on

[jman94]

Got the second ride in on my "new" 2008 RMK 700. Three to four times during the ride, I would start the sled and the display would not turn on. The first time I just turned it off and on again and it was fine. Then I noticed it two more times but as soon as I gave it throttle, it would turn back on. The fourth time it bogged down and wouldn't move forward or throttle up, tried turning it on/off 3 or so times and didn't help. Finally got it working and it was fine the rest of the day. Would this be a stator or voltage regulator problem?
I noticed that it only happened when I let it idle a while before shutting it off, and it never had this problem last ride.... Also, I am running 40:1 premix in the tank as it is a fresh engine if that helps. Thanks!

 

[Justin_Sane]

Sounds like a voltage regulator.

 

[jman94]

I'll look into getting one here by next week then... Hopefully it didn't fry the whole ECU!! Sled ran fine for the rest of the day so I may have gotten lucky. Any other (hopefully less $) ideas?

 

[BB454]

display

These machines have a low idle and when it gets low enough, the display shuts down. To increase that the TPS is supposed to be reset at the same time the mechanical part is changed. I just increased my mechanical part slightly which brought the idle up. Problem disappeared. If it continues to act up then the regulator may be going south. Usually takes the ECU with it.

 

[jman94]

These machines have a low idle and when it gets low enough, the display shuts down. To increase that the TPS is supposed to be reset at the same time the mechanical part is changed. I just increased my mechanical part slightly which brought the idle up. Problem disappeared. If it continues to act up then the regulator may be going south. Usually takes the ECU with it.

Which mechanical part did you adjust? Or did you readjust the TPS?

Also, if it did fry my ecu.. I assume it would be very noticeable?

 

[jman94]

Checked all the wires tonight, everything looked fine. There was a spot on the big connector that goes to the dash where it sat on the outer exhaust shield and melted a little bit, Just enough to discolor the plastic. I zip tied it out for the way for the future, but it didn't look bad enough to the the cause of the problem. Pulled out the regulator.. there is a discoloration like an X then it has a big "bulb" of discoloration on it in the center. Is this what it looks like when its bad?

 

[zalez]

My VR looked normal when it went bad. Only indication I had was my gauges flickered and went out. The discoloration to me would be an indication of excessive heat.

 

[Justin_Sane]

Mine also looked brand new when it went. I had gauges flashing on and off, bogging and then massive detonation that took out my pistons and cylinders Best to rreplace it with the updated part number and it should take care of it.
One key VR indicator is a flashing low battery looking symbol on the dash (when it is actually lworking, since most guys don't have electric start, there is also no battery.) That indicator seems to be common sign of VR failure.

Ecus are expensive and are not returnable so don't buy one unless you are sure.

 

[jman94]

Mine never had any detonation or ran abnormal. Started it up yesterday and it ran fine, the battery level showed only one or two bars from the top so I don't think it is the stator... Think I'm going to buy a new VR, rather be safe than sorry. Hoping my ecu isn't fried, but it shouldn't run if it fried it correct?

 

[MORSNO]

Mine never had any detonation or ran abnormal. Started it up yesterday and it ran fine, the battery level showed only one or two bars from the top so I don't think it is the stator... Think I'm going to buy a new VR, rather be safe than sorry. Hoping my ecu isn't fried, but it shouldn't run if it fried it correct?

Correct.

 

[BB454]

display

Had an 08 sitting in the drive way idling when it went out. Stunk to high heaven. Bottom of ECU had a BIG blister on it. Regulator looked fine. Replaced both. Died right there.

 

[BB454]

idle

Set screw on shaft between the throttle bodies

 

[jman94]

idle/display

Thanks for the input, sorry to hear about the sled!... Hopefully this cures it, if not I know my ECU wont fry at least.

 

[jman94]

HELP!!

Replaced the regulator this week. Took it up to ride today and same thing with the dash. Would have to get it way up in RPM to turn it on. The batt symbol guage would go full up to the top then go to the bottom and flash when I was riding. Ran great (from idle to 8k rpm) so I didn't think anything of it and figured it was a loose wire I missed. Then, the dash went full out for a whole, figured I should head home at that point. Sled died not long after, just Fell on it's face under throttle and I shut it down. Checked for
Fouled plugs as I am still running 24:1 oil intake (was on the list to fix). They looked ok, so I opened the regulator/ECM box. ECM was warm but nowhere near hot, the regulator was very hot though! I couldn't get it restarted and had to be towed out, I still have spark to the plugs just no fire, not even a burp. What the hell is wrong with this thing?!?!? Did I fry another regulator, and if so, why???

 

[MORSNO]

I think you fried another voltage regulator. Could be caused by an issue with the voltage coming from the stator. Something else that could be causing you issues is a poor ground. Check out the electrical section in the "Increasing Your IQ" sticky. There are three threads that may shed some light for you (Chassis Power Connectors Relays and Grounds, Stator Failure, and Adding additional Grounds)

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73220

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208535&highlight=testing+stator

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243895

 

[Hawkster]

Mine never had any detonation or ran abnormal. Started it up yesterday and it ran fine, the battery level showed only one or two bars from the top so I don't think it is the stator... Think I'm going to buy a new VR, rather be safe than sorry. Hoping my ecu isn't fried, but it shouldn't run if it fried it correct?

They have more gremlins than the movie , ones with and without batteries have different characteristics . That seems to make a difference on how things go bad . Poo has a horrible grounding system and they toyed with relocating the ground which is an absolute no no . Multiple grounds that are in different areas while not having a main ground is asking for problems , that is an absolute no no . When ours went bad the sled loaded itself and when it was fired up to unload it went into limp mode and I was dumb enough to pull it off the trailer . Pulled it back on the trailer since it couldn't move itself and took it to the shop . First they cleared the codes since it for some reason decided to drive itself into the shop and things seems hunky dory started it up a couple times went to load it and it made it on the trailer than it went into limp mode . Swapped out the ecu and the problem was gone . Good luck

 

[jman94]

Looks like the ECU did get fried... Had a nice little hole burned into it. Called SPI who I got the regulator from, they are replacing the regulator and ECU thank you SPI!!! Hopefully this cures the issue, I am going to run another ground though.

 

[MORSNO]

Thanks for the update jman. I hate when guys ask troubleshooting questions and then never return to let us know what they found, their fix, and the end results. Let us know how the new ECU, VR, and grounds work out, we appreciate it!