[L8-apex]

I got my bike back from the dealer today (one week in the shop). It seems my issue was NOT an immobilizer failure. When they retrieved fault codes, all that turned up were repeated "sidestand switch failures". They examined things, and it appears during assembly a connector was slightly damaged. Apparently, when it got hot in stop and go traffic, the connector expanded enough to cause loss of contact, and thus the problem. So, mine was a very unusual fluke, and an easy fix. :smile_big:

I had this issue today for the first time, with 1,200 miles on the bike. Odd thing though, I never got the immobilizer failure message, just a check engine light. It's a hot day, about 90 Fahrenheit. I was in a national park on a narrow one way 10 mile loop, and was stuck behind constant stop & go traffic. The bike would just shut down, then after waiting 15 or 20 minutes it would start. Temp was on 4 bars. It did this 4 times before I got out of that traffic. When trying to restart, sometimes I would get nothing, not even a click. Then after waiting awhile it would crank freely but not fire. Wait longer and it would start normally. Once out of that traffic and moving at 40 - 60 mph it ran fine. Seemed to be the lack of air flow in stop & go traffic that was causing it. Off to the dealer I guess. Frustrating, because I really like this bike, but lacking reliability takes all the fun out of it.

 

[colombo]

Got my first immobilizer failure and shut off after 500 miles on the clock. So disappointed, I thought I'd avoided this nightmare. Well at least it's happening at the end of riding season.

 

[648]

Got my first immobilizer failure and shut off after 500 miles on the clock. So disappointed, I thought I'd avoided this nightmare. Well at least it's happening at the end of riding season.

Scheisse.

You'd think they'd have a recall for this by now and resolve it.. lain:

 

[KingDragoX]

Just dropped my bike off at the dealer for repair

Had the immobilizer issue come on after installing front turn signals. Disconnected the battery over night and this morning it started up no prob. except the quick shifter didnt work and had to change gears manually. After about 10 miles bike cut out while riding. Let it sit for 30 min and it started again and went directly to the dealer to take it in. THey sold maybe 5 of the 790s and mine would be the second one with this issue. **** me I wanted to get through the break in period before it got too cold. only had 100 miles left to do it.

 

[648]

Just dropped my bike off at the dealer for repair

Had the immobilizer issue come on after installing front turn signals. Disconnected the battery over night and this morning it started up no prob. except the quick shifter didnt work and had to change gears manually. After about 10 miles bike cut out while riding. Let it sit for 30 min and it started again and went directly to the dealer to take it in. THey sold maybe 5 of the 790s and mine would be the second one with this issue. **** me I wanted to get through the break in period before it got too cold. only had 100 miles left to do it.

How did that work out for you, hombre?

 

[EvansB2]

So, this happened this morning. I was running the bike on its side stand to burn off the coolant from the leak I’d just fixed.

 

[648]

Christmas lights came early.

I'm sure you'll let us know the remedy.

 

[EvansB2]

So, this happened this morning. I was running the bike on its side stand to burn off the coolant from the leak I’d just fixed.

More about the error: It never prevented me from starting the bike. I didn't try to ride it though.

I tried to reproduce this error under the exact same conditions as yesterday. Start the engine from cold and let it idle until up to temperature. Today, I let it run until the fan came on. No problem at all. So, maybe it was just a transient problem. It'll get a good, hot test on January 4 when I take it to Chuckwalla for a track day.

 

[jimmyp]

It's probably not transient, and eventually it Will prevent you from starting the bike, so better to get it fixed now before it ruins your trackday.

 

[EvansB2]

It's probably not transient, and eventually it Will prevent you from starting the bike, so better to get it fixed now before it ruins your trackday.

The problem is that if it doesn’t present itself, it’s hard to get fixed or tell if it’s fixed.

 

[barbagris]

Q: Is the immobilizer separate hardware/software or software in the main ECU? If hardware then I'm sure somebody can design a bypass. If Software MAYBE it can be disabled. I know it is scanned by the dealers for upgrading, Mine was upgraded at last service in OCT.

 

[dj790duke]

My dealer was told by KTM that the problem is in the immobilizer unit/box itself. It's mounted under the fuel tank towards the steering stem. Heat causes electrical contacts inside to separate and lose connection under the right conditions. Can be a very intermittent problem. Does KTM ever put out recalls for known problems? I'd consider this a safety issue as when mine started to fail, I lost TCS, ABS, MSC, Quickshifter all at once. Luckily, I wasn't in an emergency situation at the moment to rely on those systems but the possibility exists. Boggles my mind that KTM just dismisses it like it's nothing.

 

[648]

My dealer was told by KTM that the problem is in the immobilizer unit/box itself.
Boggles my mind that KTM just dismisses it like it's nothing.

"if 'X' is less than a cost of a recall, we don't do one.."

 

[dj790duke]

"if 'X' is less than a cost of a recall, we don't do one.."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiB8GVMNJkE

Accurate haha

 

[Jackibbo]

Well this has happened to me today, with 410 miles on the clock. Only had it just over a month, binned my bike in horrendous rain with 170 miles on it and only just sorted the bits out and built it back up so have been keen to get out over the last few days.

After 90 miles today, I brimmed the tank and went home. The bike was difficult to get moving and would stall at every opportunity, had to give it some big revs to get it going. Limped it the 2 miles home and stalled again on my driveway, then all the warnings and failures came up and it wouldn't start. Left it 20 mins and pushed it in the garage and tried it again, still dead. Will be visiting the dealer as soon as they're open again...

 

[648]

. Will be visiting the dealer as soon as they're open again...

Welcome Jack!

ImmobFail is a right of passage, most all have been there, (or will be?).

Your dealer should get it sorted quickly. Scroll through these posts to see others' outcomes. :smile_big:

 

[Jackibbo]

Thanks! Mobility service are coming to pick the bike up today and take it to the dealer. It happened less than 500 metres away from home today after warming up for 5 mins or so. Hopefully they play ball and sort it fast, I'm itching to get out on it!

 

[KingDragoX]

Just got it back today, new keys and immobilizer. runs all right. Im a little scared to install my austin racing rs 22 with the coober kit. I just dont want the electronics to **** on me again =\

 

[jimmyp]

I know what you mean. My bike will be staying stock until the warranty is up, just to be safe. luckily, this bike doesn't need much.

 

[bpmckie]

I was hoping not to have this happen to me but the other day I went to start up my 790 which has 8k trouble free miles on the clock, the warning came on. My issue seems related to the wet and cold rather than heat that others have reported. After letting the bike sit over night, it is a little slow to crank, and about 5 seconds after starting the failure shows up on the dash. I will let the bike idle till the first bar shows on the coolant gauge and shut the bike off, wait 3 minutes and fire the bike up, no warning light, no other issues. I called my local shop, they said the failures should be saved, so I will bring it in and see what happens.