California Custom USER CODE!

[roadventure]

Well, yesterday I was going to meet a group for a ride. I go out, put the key in the ignition of my 2014 California Custom and am faced with "Enter User Code". WTF!?!? I don't know nothin' about no user code! So, out of frustration and lack of time, I got on my Yamaha Raider and rode away to meet up with the group.

Upon arriving back home again, I re-read the user manual which has very little helpful information about a user code except for changing it and for that you need to know..... (wait for it!). Yup, that's right, you need to know the user code. As I already stated, I don't know nothin' about no user code! I finally discovered that in the morning I had grabbed the spare key which is why I had the dash asking for a user code. After I got back home I used my original key and everything worked as normal. But, I could not leave well enough alone. Read on.

So, after some reading here and some guessing, I surmised that the original user code had never been set. On advise from this forum I set it to the service code 34534. That seemed like a good idea. So, then I tried my spare key again and when faced with the "enter user code" prompt I entered 34534 and the bike started. But, I don't want to enter that code every time I need to use my spare key. I had read in the user manual that the instrument panel is able to activate keys. I figure, why not! I can program my spare key to work learn the user code so I won't need to enter the code with the spare key. What a great Idea!

I proceed to start the bike using the spare key and then go to the MENU to change the user code for the spare key. I attempt this and then am faced with a "1" in the display and a counting number below it. WTF? What is this? I don't know so I shut off the ignition.

Now I have the RED warning light triangle with the exclamation mark on. Why? What does this mean? What did I break?

Also, I find that now, when I try to change the user code, I am not offered the choice to enter a new code.

What is going on?

[Chuck in Indiana]

<sigh> I *hate* this crap. Will the original key still work?
Edit: my feeble memory is trying to tell me that you need two original keys to program another. Somebody will be along shortly to straighten us out..

[pete roper]

Well, the user code should of been explained to you when you bought the bike. It's a security feature. If the key isn't recognised then the bike won't be allowed to start unless you enter the code. It's a way of preventing theft if for instance the ignition lock is forced in some way.

If a key isn't being recognised the most likely cause is that the antenna around the lock barrel is damaged.

As for what is happening with the 'Countdown' you are seeing I'll explain in the morning if somebody doesn't get to it before me. It's 3.00AM right now and my insomnia hasn't fully kicked in so I'm off back to sleep.

Pete

[roadventure]

Well, the user code should of been explained to you when you bought the bike. It's a security feature. If the key isn't recognised then the bike won't be allowed to start unless you enter the code. It's a way of preventing theft if for instance the ignition lock is forced in some way.

If a key isn't being recognised the most likely cause is that the antenna around the lock barrel is damaged.

As for what is happening with the 'Countdown' you are seeing I'll explain in the morning if somebody doesn't get to it before me. It's 3.00AM right now and my insomnia hasn't fully kicked in so I'm off back to sleep.

Pete

Well, the user code should of been explained to you when you bought the bike

I bought the bike from the original owner.  There was no "splainin" to be done.

I await your answer about the countdown.   

[Lcarlson]

When I bought my bike, I asked the owner of my shop about the user code. He said, "don't bother with it, nobody steals Guzzi's." So I didn't.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, the user code should of been explained to you when you bought the bike

I bought the bike from the original owner.  There was no "splainin" to be done.

I await your answer about the countdown.   

I'm guessing the countdown is how many times you get to try it before it self destructs.   
Seriously.. you haven't said whether the original key works now.
The original owner should have splained. When I sold my Norge, I told him about it and wrote the code in the owner's manual. <shrug>

[pete roper]

When I bought my bike, I asked the owner of my shop about the user code. He said, "don't bother with it, nobody steals Guzzi's." So I didn't.

And that attitude could well leave you stranded at the side of the road. Another example of incandescent brilliance at its best!

Pete

[guzzisteve]

Good Morning Pete, got your coffee yet. Cali14 lectrics ain't my cup of tea, one reason I stopped.

My guess, countdown till you have or have not inserted the 2nd key. This is to program a 3rd key, like the owner was playing with.

[Kiwi Dave]

Since you attempted to change the code for the second key, it is now asking you to insert the first key within the specified period.  Do as they say, and all should work out.

As for the red warning light, it appears when something is wrong.  Once both keys have been programmed with the same code, then it should disappear.  Otherwise, clear it from the dashboard controls.  It sometimes takes a while to listen -don't ask me how I know   :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

[pete roper]

Coffee in hand. I'm still a bit bleary eyed and I'm re-reading the original post a few times trying to get the order of events straight in my tiny, peanut, antipodean brain.

Given the fact that one of the keys worked it would seem to rule out the antenna being the problem so maybe it's actually the chip in the second key that is at fault?

Anyway what is currently worrying me is that when a new code was being inserted the process was interrupted. This may be a problem BUT if there is now a service warning it also leads me back towards an antenna issue.

Can I ask if you moved the handlebars much while performing any of these operations during this event?

Pete

[Lcarlson]

And that attitude could well leave you stranded at the side of the road. Another example of incandescent brilliance at its best!

Pete

How would it leave me stranded if I've never entered any user code?

[Zoom Zoom]

How would it leave me stranded if I've never entered any user code?

If for any reason your key was not recognized by the bike, the user code will allow you to start the bike and ride away. (Chip in key might flake out, the antenna could flake out.) It may never be an issue, or................. ................... ........

John Henry

[Lcarlson]

If for any reason your key was not recognized by the bike, the user code will allow you to start the bike and ride away. (Chip in key might flake out, the antenna could flake out.) It may never be an issue, or................. ................... ........

John Henry

Hmmm. Ok, thanks, I hadn't really focused on that function.

[pete roper]

Exactly. While the default code should be five zero's far better to enter your own. Some people use the last five numbers of their VIN, I use the first five numerals of my birth date in DD/MM/Y format as I'm unlikely to forget that!

As stated if you don't know the code and something happens you're stuffed! As long as you can enter the code you can start the bike.

To enter a code go into the menu and choose 'Change the code' it should then, if there has never been a code entered, ask you to insert a code. A numeral will flash on the dash starting at 1 and going through to 0. When you reach the required number just tap the toggle button, don't hold it down, just press it lightly and quickly and the cursor will move on to a second numeral saving the first. Repeat this operation through the other four numerals, (Write them down on a piece of paper in case you screw it up. You can rectify it later but we'll get on to that in a bit.).

At the end of the process the dash should just revert back to the menu and in theory that should be it and both of the original keys should be recognised.

There is another function called 'Code Recovery' that I'll come back to in a bit.

Pete

[Lcarlson]

Exactly. While the default code should be five zero's far better to enter your own. Some people use the last five numbers of their VIN, I use the first five numerals of my birth date in DD/MM/Y format as I'm unlikely to forget that!

As stated if you don't know the code and something happens you're stuffed! As long as you can enter the code you can start the bike.

To enter a code go into the menu and choose 'Change the code' it should then, if there has never been a code entered, ask you to insert a code. A numeral will flash on the dash starting at 1 and going through to 0. When you reach the required number just tap the toggle button, don't hold it down, just press it lightly and quickly and the cursor will move on to a second numeral saving the first. Repeat this operation through the other four numerals, (Write them down on a piece of paper in case you screw it up. You can rectify it later but we'll get on to that in a bit.).

At the end of the process the dash should just revert back to the menu and in theory that should be it and both of the original keys should be recognised.

There is another function called 'Code Recovery' that I'll come back to in a bit.

Pete

Thanks Pete. Actually, that's the way the comparable system worked on my late Ducati Diavel. I did set the code on that bike because the DD had a "keyless" fob that I didn't entirely trust. Having a conventional Guzzi key led me to the apparently false conclusion that electronics didn't have to play a role in the system to start the engine. Live and learn.

[roadventure]

How would it leave me stranded if I've never entered any user code?

The original key IS STILL working.  The only difference is that the red dash light is now on.  I did notice something else when I was last in the garage.  I do have two ignition keys, but they are not identical.  The one that works has a metallic center with a rubber surrounding the edge.  The key that, now, does not work is all rubber (no metallic center).

[roadventure]

Since you attempted to change the code for the second key, it is now asking you to insert the first key within the specified period.  Do as they say, and all should work out.

As for the red warning light, it appears when something is wrong.  Once both keys have been programmed with the same code, then it should disappear.  Otherwise, clear it from the dashboard controls.  It sometimes takes a while to listen -don't ask me how I know   :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

How does one clear the red dash light from the dashboard controls?

[roadventure]

Coffee in hand. I'm still a bit bleary eyed and I'm re-reading the original post a few times trying to get the order of events straight in my tiny, peanut, antipodean brain.

Given the fact that one of the keys worked it would seem to rule out the antenna being the problem so maybe it's actually the chip in the second key that is at fault?

Anyway what is currently worrying me is that when a new code was being inserted the process was interrupted. This may be a problem BUT if there is now a service warning it also leads me back towards an antenna issue.

Can I ask if you moved the handlebars much while performing any of these operations during this event?

Pete

Pete,

No handlebar movement occurred. 

[pete roper]

Well that probably rules out an antenna issue.

Which red warning light are we talking about on the dash?

Pete

[ITSec]

The original key IS STILL working.  The only difference is that the red dash light is now on.  I did notice something else when I was last in the garage.  I do have two ignition keys, but they are not identical.  The one that works has a metallic center with a rubber surrounding the edge.  The key that, now, does not work is all rubber (no metallic center).

The keys are the same other than cosmetics - for some reason, Guzzi has insisted for some years on providing one key with the metallic inset (purely cosmetic) and another without it. That goes back to at least 2007, maybe longer.

[Kiwi Dave]

How does one clear the red dash light from the dashboard controls?

You'll need Guzzidiag or take it to a dealer to clear the "SERVICE" warning, if this is what you're getting.

Sorry if I suggested you could do this with the dashboard, I confused it with the "Reset Coupon" function to clear the spanner icon.

[roadventure]

Well that probably rules out an antenna issue.

Which red warning light are we talking about on the dash?

Pete

Pete,

The red indicator above the neutral light and below the "9" on the tach.

[roadventure]

The keys are the same other than cosmetics - for some reason, Guzzi has insisted for some years on providing one key with the metallic inset (purely cosmetic) and another without it. That goes back to at least 2007, maybe longer.

Okay, thanks for clearing that up for me.  I can see how it could help one identify the primary key and the secondary key (if that even makes any difference).

[roadventure]

You'll need Guzzidiag or take it to a dealer to clear the "SERVICE" warning, if this is what you're getting.

Sorry if I suggested you could do this with the dashboard, I confused it with the "Reset Coupon" function to clear the spanner icon.

Hmmmm.  I was afraid of that.  I have been thinking of doing a flush/fill of the brake fluid.  So, may I will ask the dealer to do that job and see if they can reset the red light in the process.