There are few things in the world that are more enjoyable than riding your Harley along the highway. But there are things that can spoil your drive. A misplaced or malfunctioning key FOB is one of them. If you’re one of the unlucky few that have got stuck on a long road trip with an unresponsive Harley and no clue what to do, then you might know what we’re talking about. However, for those who have yet to experience it you’re lucky we found you first!
In this article, we try to simplify the security program code and the process of overriding it for your Harley Davidson. If you’ve been struggling to override the security program code but had no success so far, you are in the right place.
Table of Contents
Things You Should Know About Proximity FOBs
They allow users keyless entry or access. Unlike regular FOBs, proximity FOBs only need to be within distance to operate. FOBs use RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification), to identify the key and allow access to the holder. You can read more about key FOB technology here.
A quick explanation is, they use electromagnetic waves to transmit information to a reader which is how your vehicle unlocks. This is also the reason why some FOBs don’t work when near power lines or devices and buildings that have radio waves emitted. An all security-equipped Harley Davidson bikes will require a key FOB to unlock the bike.
In situations when you do not have the key FOB you can still access your vehicle by entering a security code. All bikes using a FOB will have a factory preset code that is 31313. Unfortunately, if your dealer changed it then you will have to get the security code from them. However, we did figure out a way to override the code without the key FOB.
Step-by-Step Tutorial to Bypass the Key FOB With the Security Code
How to Override the Security on Your Harley Without the Key FOB
Read the guide below carefully and understand it fully before you try to attempt it. The process needs to be conducted quickly and will have to be repeated if a step is missed. Though you can also try to get it right after multiple tries.
- Step 1: Turn the ignition key on.
- Step 2: Press both turn signals and hold them. You can see the security lights flashing on the odometer.
- Step 3: You can now enter the security code.
How to Enter the Security Code
You can enter or change the security with the left and right turn signals. This should be done after you press and hold both turn signals.
The left turn signal button is used to enter the number by pressing the number of times that the digit says. For example, if the first digit is 5 then you will press the left turn signal continuously five times.
The right turn signal button is used to save the digit and move on to the next one. It is similar to pressing enter and you will have to do it after entering every digit in the code. you should only press the right turn signal button once.
Let’s try to understand this better by looking at the example below.
The security code is 52143. (continue after step 2 from the above-mentioned list)
- Step 1: Hit the left turn signal five times, then hit the right turn signal once.
- Step 2: Hit the left turn signal twice, then hit the right turn signal once.
- Step 3: Hit the left turn signal once, then hit the right turn signal once.
- Step 4: Hit the left turn signal four times, then hit the right turn signal once.
- Step 5: Hit the left turn signal thrice, then hit the right turn signal once.
- Step 6: Start the bike.
That is how you override the security code program on any Harley Davidson.
How to Find the Security Code by Yourself
If you don’t know what the code is then you will need to follow the steps given below to see it. Make sure to follow these steps immediately one after the other.
- Step 1: Turn off the kill switch.
- Step 2: Turn the ignition key in the order: on-off-on-off-on.
- Step 3: Press the left turn signal twice.
- Step 4: Press the right turn signal once.
You should now see the security code on the odometer.
After you’ve seen the security code you can follow the steps given below to change it. The below steps need to be followed immediately after the odometer displays the security code or else, you’ll have to start from the beginning.
How to Change the Security Code
To change the code, you need to follow the same steps that you used to enter the code. By pressing the left turn signal to enter the digits and the right turn signal to confirm every digit to move on to the next. To not complicate things we explain it here again.
If the security code you want to enter is 12345, then you will follow the steps below.
- Step 1: Press the left turn signal once, then press the right turn signal once.
- Step 2: Press the left turn signal twice, then press the right turn signal once.
- Step 3: Press the left turn signal thrice, then press the right turn signal once.
- Step 4: Press the left turn signal four times, then press the right turn signal once.
- Step 5: Press the left turn signal five times, then the right turn signal once.
- Step 6: Lastly, turn the ignition off to save the new code.
That will set the new code and you’re ready to go. While there is no predicting how or when you may lose your key FOB, there are a few ways you can prevent it.
How to Avoid Losing Your Key FOB?
● Keep them on belt hooks. What better way to secure your FOB than attaching them to yourself?
● Repeat the action. Every time you get off the bike follow a step-by-step routine that becomes your body language.
● Keep the FOB in the same pocket always. This also helps you realize you’re missing your FOB if it isn’t in the designated pocket.
● Get keyrings and put heavy decorations on them so you can also feel them if they fall or go missing.
What Are Common Battery Problems in FOBs and How to Solve Them?
● Incorrectly placed batteries: the positive side should be facing downwards.
● Dead Batteries: Easily fixed by replacing the batteries with new ones.
● Expired batteries: Buy new ones to check if the key FOB starts working again.
● Broken receiver: In many cases, the antenna in the FOB breaks. This needs to be fixed by a professional.
FAQs and Their Solutions for Security Codes and FOBs
Radio Interference may cause FOB to get locked. Security camera systems, automatic sensors, Wi-Fi hotspots, and anything that is connected to the internet will interfere with your key FOB. To avoid it, park your vehicle at a different spot next time you’re going out.
You need to know the security code if you’re trying to override the security system without the FOB. If you don’t know the code either, then try contacting the dealer or the previous owner of the bike. You could also check for the preset code which is – 31313.
Dealerships set all their bikes to the same five-digit code, which means the codes can be accessed by anyone. Our advice is to change the code the moment you buy the bike to a unique five-digit code.
Yes. Bluetooth signals are essentially radio waves and can block communication between your FOB and the bike.
Yes. This is another problem that causes key FOB readings to get interfered with by other bikes. Your bike will start normally once you park them away from the other vehicle.
Cell phones do interfere with key FOBs but the good news is this problem does not require you to give up on using your cell phone or your FOB. Just remember to keep the two in separate pockets or apart from each other and they’ll both work alright.
Bottom line
It is possible to override your security system easily and also help another biker facing the same issue. Since a Harley is not made to sit on the side of the road waiting for a tow, you shouldn’t either! Learn all you can about your bike and what it takes to fix minor issues yourself. So, the next time you’re on a road trip you can fix the problem within minutes and continue on your way. Also, don’t get ahead of yourself, go get your bike serviced regularly instead because not all problems are fixed on the side of the road.
Hi if i lose my key program the code i have to put it everytime i start the bike ?