V85TT traction control randomly kicking in

[Rainrider]

I'm trying to troubleshoot a thing that's cropped up in the last month. The bike is a 2019 V85TT Adventure. I ride almost exclusively in Pioggia (rain) mode, because I live in the Pacific Northwest and I like to set it and forget it, unless I'm going off pavement.

Anyway, the last three times I've been out, I've had the traction control kick in at unexpected times. I don't generally ride in a way that's going to lift a tire off the pavement, and these episodes have typically happened in the 50-60mph range, going in a straight line, accelerating moderately uphill more often than not. A couple of times the pavement was a little rough but nothing to write home about, and certainly nothing that's caused MGTC to kick in previously. Concurrently, I noticed that at some point the clock had reset itself to 00:00, which makes me worry about some intermittent electrical fault upstream of the traction control.

The last time it happened, earlier today, I had decided to put the bike in Strada (street) mode while in motion. About 30 seconds later, traction control kicked in and seemed to cut the engine completely. I engaged the clutch, and coasted a bit before trying the throttle again. It worked, but the bike's display couldn't show speed or what gear I was in until I came to a stop.

My gut feeling—based on the intermittentness of the issue—is that I either shook loose a connection or damaged a sensor when I dropped my bike last March. It's odd that it's only turning up now though, since I've put a few thousand miles on since the accident.

One question I have: does the traction control system use the same pair of sensors as the ABS?

[Huzo]

Have you done an on board recalibration?
That is to ensure that the brain knows the limits to which the wheels can rotate at different rates. It expects a differential because of the differing circumferences, but if it goes outside defined limits, it will see it as a wheel spin condition.

[Rainrider]

Sorry, yeah, forgot to mention that I did the recalibration this morning before heading out.

[Huzo]

Sorry, yeah, forgot to mention that I did the recalibration this morning before heading out.

Try cleaning the sensors on the tone wheel, if the signals become interrupted, it could be seen as reduction or increase in expected rotation rates.

[Rainrider]

Try cleaning the sensors on the tone wheel, if the signals become interrupted, it could be seen as reduction or increase in expected rotation rates.

Thanks, I'll try that next. I confirmed that they were each about .75mm from the wheel, which seems to be in a good spot. Sensor cable connections were the next thing I was going to check, but I haven't traced them back to wherever they plug in yet.

[Vagrant]

The TC is terribly sensitive to tire pressure. Check them with a good gauge. Remember, it has gotten colder out. The cruise control on the v85 makes it easy to re calibrate so I'd do it again after the pressure check.
I don't remember if the 19/20 had an adjustable TC. I know on the V7III 1 is the place to be. On the standard 2 it sucks. Next would be pulling all electrical connectors and spraying with Deoxit.

[twowheeladdict]

With the clock resetting I would be checking all the battery cable connections and ground. 

[Bulldog9]

Tire pressures checked? May not be relevant thought if you did a calibration. I had to recalibrate when I changed tires.

[Paul_Tim]

The fact the display/clock is affected seems to point to an electrical, probably power, fault rather than a sensor issue and the ECU is going into safe mode when it looses contact with the display/something else.
I'd get in and reset as many electrical connectors as I can reach, check cable and battery connection tightness and spend some time wiggling wires around to see if I can make the fault appear. Something may have become displaced in your crash and is gradually working its way loose. Any stored fault codes you can access?
You have my sympathies, horrible sort of problem to diagnose.

[Shiny Hat]

One question I have: does the traction control system use the same pair of sensors as the ABS?

Yes

[Rainrider]

The fact the display/clock is affected seems to point to an electrical, probably power, fault rather than a sensor issue and the ECU is going into safe mode when it looses contact with the display/something else.
I'd get in and reset as many electrical connectors as I can reach, check cable and battery connection tightness and spend some time wiggling wires around to see if I can make the fault appear. Something may have become displaced in your crash and is gradually working its way loose. Any stored fault codes you can access?
You have my sympathies, horrible sort of problem to diagnose.

After a further ride, I think this may be it. The error happened at about 65mph in 6th gear (in Street mode). It cut the engine completely until I downshifted, and speed and gear indicator disappeared until I took it down to first gear (at which point they came back).

[Paul_Tim]

After a further ride, I think this may be it. The error happened at about 65mph in 6th gear (in Street mode). It cut the engine completely until I downshifted, and speed and gear indicator disappeared until I took it down to first gear (at which point they came back).

I don't know how long iot takes for the ECU/Display to initialise when you turn the ignition on but I'd guess it's about the same length of time it took you to downshift to first