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Engine Code 81

Janny

Newbie
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
15
Location
Kalamazoo
Country
USA
Snowmobile
2008 Vector LTX GT
Hey all, I have a 2008 Vector LTX GT with about 11,000 miles on it. I just replaced all the A-arm bushings a couple weeks ago. I had to really beat on the last one (lower outside on the right) to get the boot and sleeve out). After I was finished, I put the sled back together . I had the air box pulled to do the job, which meant also pulling the headlight and gauge pod. When I started it to load back onto the trailer it started flashing the 81 code and no head or tail lights worked nor did the kill switch. Code 81 is the bad hand warmers code . I unplugged to warmers in the plugs located near the get steering column but the light still flashed. After many frustrating hours tracking down this problem I stumbled across a couple wires that ran to the middle of the three relays located about the right foot well that had worn through the insulation and sparked. I repaired the wires and replaced the relay, but the code 81 still flashes
I'm ready to strangle my sled. Does anyone have any good tips for me? Otherwise, I'll have to spend the big bucks and drop it off at the dealer. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to offer.
 

it only came on after you had the nose apart for the bushings, so it would think a wire is pinched some where up in there where you had it apart.
 
it only came on after you had the nose apart for the bushings, so it would think a wire is pinched some where up in there where you had it apart.
Ya, I looked all over for pinched or bare wires and only found the bare wires at the middle of three relays.
 
all the wires good for the headlamp mount? i usually remove it when i pull the airbox.
 
Yup. I actually unplugged both headlamps to see if the code would go away-nope. I also unplugged both hand warmers-nope.
 
all good by the handle bar stem? seen weird stuff happen from wire flex in that area before.
 
I've been unplugging all those plugs up there one by one trying to find something but haven't gotten anywhere yet. Based on your earlier comment, I'm looking at all things electrical down in the nose area where I was replacing bushings. I'm also going to test the 3 relays to make sure that's not the issue.
 
Do codes normally clear themselves when a problem is solved or do we have to clear them?
Is your battery fully charged?
While your unplugging and plugging stuff in, smear a little electric contact enhancer in the plugs.
 
Do codes normally clear themselves when a problem is solved or do we have to clear them?
Is your battery fully charged?
While your unplugging and plugging stuff in, smear a little electric contact enhancer in the plugs.
The code will clear but will still be stored in memory.
 
If I remember correctly the code 81 is for throttle cable adjustment and TORS . It clears if corrected from what I recall.
 
If I remember, there are 2 grip warmer plugs that can be plugged vice versa and cause a code. maybe a fuse also?
 
Hey all, I have a 2008 Vector LTX GT with about 11,000 miles on it. I just replaced all the A-arm bushings a couple weeks ago. I had to really beat on the last one (lower outside on the right) to get the boot and sleeve out). After I was finished, I put the sled back together . I had the air box pulled to do the job, which meant also pulling the headlight and gauge pod. When I started it to load back onto the trailer it started flashing the 81 code and no head or tail lights worked nor did the kill switch. Code 81 is the bad hand warmers code . I unplugged to warmers in the plugs located near the get steering column but the light still flashed. After many frustrating hours tracking down this problem I stumbled across a couple wires that ran to the middle of the three relays located about the right foot well that had worn through the insulation and sparked. I repaired the wires and replaced the relay, but the code 81 still flashes
I'm ready to strangle my sled. Does anyone have any good tips for me? Otherwise, I'll have to spend the big bucks and drop it off at the dealer. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to offer.
 
Wellllllllll, I had finally solved the engine code 81 issue last spring by replacing the starter relay. I fired it up this past late fall a couple times and everything was good. I gave it a brief ride a couple weeks ago and loaded it back in the trailer. I started it again a few days later and the code 81 was flashing again! I have been trying to track down bare wires, etc. ever since. My local dealer says there is a fourth relay in a different spot than the three relays I can actually find in the right footwell. I did pull the rectifier and found one of the two plugs loaded with an oily substance. Could this be causing the code 81, which has caused no headlights, tail lights, kill switch or backup alarm? These are the symptoms of my problem. I don't have any hand or thumb warmers either and the hand warmer switch is rendered non operational. If there is a fourth relay somewhere, does anyone know where it is on a 2008 Vector LTX GT?
 


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