2018 Goldwing DCT Dead Battery? Nope!

[dmjtax]

I purchased a new battery Memorial Day and have not had much opportunity to ride.

July 7th came out to install a new flagpole and closed the trunk to view the alignment with the cb antennae and the trunk would not open.

My guess immediately was a dead battery. Removed battery had it checked at an Advanced Auto store and cca of 554 and 12.7 volts.

Checked all fuses and all were reading like they should.

After researching on the internet other similar problems I decided to take the fob to the closest Honda dealer. They said it was operating as it should be.

Plugged back in all the fuses along with the main fuse that I was told was most likely the problem. Still completely dead and no power at all to the dash.

Called the dealer where the trike was purchased and reiterated my problem. They encouraged me to replace the battery in the fob.

Great advice -- that was the problem. Purchased the 2018 dct in May of 2020 and the battery in the fob was that old.

Just a heads up if you encounter this situation.

 

[rhino 2]

I purchased a new battery Memorial Day and have not had much opportunity to ride.

July 7th came out to install a new flagpole and closed the trunk to view the alignment with the cb antennae and the trunk would not open.

My guess immediately was a dead battery. Removed battery had it checked at an Advanced Auto store and cca of 554 and 12.7 volts.

Checked all fuses and all were reading like they should.

After researching on the internet other similar problems I decided to take the fob to the closest Honda dealer. They said it was operating as it should be.

Plugged back in all the fuses along with the main fuse that I was told was most likely the problem. Still completely dead and no power at all to the dash.

Called the dealer where the trike was purchased and reiterated my problem. They encouraged me to replace the battery in the fob.

Great advice -- that was the problem. Purchased the 2018 dct in May of 2020 and the battery in the fob was that old.

Just a heads up if you encounter this situation.

Kiss…..AKA;Occam’s Razor….

 

[Woody]

Hey Dave this is a good topic a few things I've learn from my experience with the 2019 after many times of frustration is I have replaced the battery so many times in the bike remote I carry a spare. When I purchased mine the PO had put a protective cover on the remote which made it a bit more bulky in my pocket and I later figured out it also reduced the distance for the bike to pick it up, the receiver for the remote.

As I understand, it is located on the right side and close to the tank of the bike and if you are trying to open the trunk/tour pack, press the button on the remote or place the remote closer to the receiver location. Also, pressing the middle button will turn the remote off or on, so make sure you turn the remote on. I turn mine off to save the battery if it is going to be sitting for days. I figure this thread will be moved to it's own topic with in the 2018+ forum.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

I have had the same problem with the remote batteries. Must have bought 2 or 3 that were near the end of their life, as I changed them out and a week later they were dead. Finally got some that were newly made and that one has lasted so far.

I also keep a spare battery in the compartment that you can manual open.

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

As BBJ said, but with a twist.

Never assume just because something comes out of a package, that it is gonna fit, and be good. Here before ever installing a battery, its voltage would be tested first.

 

[FRR]

I purchased a new battery Memorial Day and have not had much opportunity to ride.

July 7th came out to install a new flagpole and closed the trunk to view the alignment with the cb antennae and the trunk would not open.

My guess immediately was a dead battery. Removed battery had it checked at an Advanced Auto store and cca of 554 and 12.7 volts.

Checked all fuses and all were reading like they should.

After researching on the internet other similar problems I decided to take the fob to the closest Honda dealer. They said it was operating as it should be.

Plugged back in all the fuses along with the main fuse that I was told was most likely the problem. Still completely dead and no power at all to the dash.

Called the dealer where the trike was purchased and reiterated my problem. They encouraged me to replace the battery in the fob.

Great advice -- that was the problem. Purchased the 2018 dct in May of 2020 and the battery in the fob was that old.

Just a heads up if you encounter this situation.

The screen will give you an alert when the fob battery needs replacement. Guess you waited too long

 

[Burnerboy]

Thank you for this POST, I know I'm a bit late to the party, BUT, after, reading this information, make's me "think" about carrying a spare battery myself..............JIC (just in case) this same situation happens to me...
Dmjtax, (thanks for post'nnn this situation, I have a good feel'nnn that you may have saved many of us from have'nnn the same problem as yourself..

Ronnie
12/26/24

 

[pwhoever]

Thank you for this POST, I know I'm a bit late to the party, BUT, after, reading this information, make's me "think" about carrying a spare battery myself..............JIC (just in case) this same situation happens to me...
Dmjtax, (thanks for post'nnn this situation, I have a good feel'nnn that you may have saved many of us from have'nnn the same problem as yourself..

Ronnie
12/26/24

That's not a bad idea but you also have to understand the difference between the FOB's for the 01-17 and the 18+. The early remotes really only lock and unlock the trunk and saddlebags.

The 18+ are needed not just for the trunk and saddlebag but are keyless ignitions so the signal from the FOB is required to be able to start them. The working remote needs to be in close proximity to the Goldwing in order for the ignition to work. That means they need a working battery to be able to go anywhere and will use up the battery much quicker than the older GL1800's. And I was also unaware that the newer FOB could be turned off, good info. Although that might be a bit of a pain, that could at least extend the battery life a bit.

 

[Trikerbri]

All this 'new' tech is so secure against theft it even stops the owner taking it away.
Give me an old fashion key any day

 

[Papa Zook]

We have done a lot of new Goldwing DCT conversions since they came out back in 2018 and have learned that if we don't store the key fobs inside a metal box, inside our file cabinet, in our front office, the fobs will each constantly "talk to" their bike, which will run the battery down. We use this box I bought off of Amazon to serve as a Faraday box. Make sure your key fob is not within close range of your bike as it's signal can communicate with the bike. For example, hanging the key fob on a key hook, just inside the garage entry door. There are lots of inexpensive Faraday boxes and bags available on Amazon.

 

[Papa Zook]

Amazon Key Fob Faraday Link

 

[Woody]

why not just turn the fob off?

 

[Papa Zook]

why not just turn the fob off?

Because most obviously either foget to turn their Key Fob off or never knew it could be turned off.