I have had a few sleds with Dess cords. Do they actually prevent thefts, or do we have a false sense of security? I wonder what the theft stats. are of sleds with or without it are? If I park in with a bunch of Arctic Cats which all use the same key will that help? ;)

without the DESS cap, the engine is only allowed to run at 3000rpm by the MPEM. Now...does your sled engage at less than 3000 rpm? ;)

I've heard of sleds towed away by thieves with a rope on the front end! Are sleds with dess less likely to have this happen because only a dealer can program a dess cord? By the way my sled engages at 500 rpm, at 3000 I'm a blur!!! HA HA :p :D

you can program upto 5 sleds on one cord :nervous: .

the dess is a could THEFT DETERENT system.

The best theft deterent IS A POLARIS COVER. YOU KNOW IT WILL NEVER GET STOLEN THEN :devil:

My 1998 formula 111 700 got stolen dess and all, a 98 xc 700 was right next to it and was untouched. IMO the dess is just another potential electrical problem. Keep it simple please. I trust a lock and cable now!

A few years ago my 98 mxz 670 and a buds 99 mxz 670 ho were sitting beside each other in the parking lot.We went in for dinner,came out and mine was gone.The 99 had dess and the 98 didn't ??? You tell me if it works or not.

if they want it they are going to take it!

but I am sure it cuts down on the spirit-of-the-monent a-holes, you know the ones that after a six pack think they should have been ridding something better... :-)

I know some cats and poos that have had the same key in new models for years, now surely that isn't the way to go!

mustardman are you sure that is correct?

I knew you could program more than one DESS cord the same but i didnt realize it was 5. LadyK and I are going to program both our DESS cords the same this year and have one spare. Should stop the mix ups lol.

its the mpem that takes the progaming of the tether.the tether does not know which sled its on.I have 5 tethers progamed on the 3 dess sleds,in the stable.so really your progaming the sled to accept another tether.

when i bought my sled last month the dealer told me that i could get a spare tehter, but in order for me to do that they need the sled and the tehter that came with the sled. so i dont think you can program 5 sleds on one tehter. its the program in the tehter and machine thats makes this thing work not just the tehter.

DESS beats the $hit out of a key. Of course they still can be dragged away. I believe in chains also. Even then, if they brought a wrench and really wanted it, they could still get it. There is only so much you can do.

Originally posted by ViperER2@Nov 17 2002, 03:02 PM
if they want it they are going to take it!

but I am sure it cuts down on the spirit-of-the-monent a-holes, you know the ones that after a six pack think they should have been ridding something better... :-)


I know of a sled that was stolen out of a locked compound at a motel in Timmins during the winter of '01. Whoever stole the sled had to move a couple of sleds away from the hole they had cut in the fence to slide the sled out. There were newer & bigger cc sleds than his in the lockup. Obviously, someone needed "that" sled.

I was in Parry Sound at the Jolly Roger during New Years '96. The thieves unbolted the skis of 2 sleds that the owners had chained together. They took skis off another sled (same style ski). Then took the 2 sleds.

after they get the sled it is not a huge problem to reprogram, but it is easier to steal a sled without dess.

From what I've seen, sled theft seems to be a bigger problem in Canada than it is here in the US.

Aside from that, if someone really wants your sled they're going to take it with or without DESS, but as already mentioned DESS should offer more security than a regular key. With the keys, at least on skidoos anyway, its easy to lift the hood, unplug the ignition module at the back and away you go!

I try to park my sled so that I can see it when I'm in a restaurant or whatever.

You can get the DESS cord programmed for 5 sleds... you can also erase it so if you buy another DESS sled, you can use your "spare" one on your new machine. I just asked my dealer for a spare key when I picked up my REV and it took them just a few minutes to do.

If someone wants to pickup your machine and go, no "key system" is gona stop that. A dealer is not supposed to program a key unless that sled is proven to be yours. If someone steals the DESS programming system from a dealer, or a crooked employee works at one, it wouldnt be hard to change. Or... maybe buy a new MPEM box?

The sled will not run at all without a DESS lanyard. If its an incorrect one, it will run but not rev enough to engage a clutch. I think the logic behind that is that because there is no battery, how would you know if you lanyard was incorrectly plugged on (ie snow/dirt in the plug) when you tried to start it.. you could spend alot of time looking at other stuff before realizing that.

If you want to see what happens with the wrong lanyard, try putting your correct one on and then pulling it off slightly.

The machine won't rev and the key light on the dash starts flashing when you try to rev.

I did this and though I had bought a lemon, then after many, many descriptive adjectives directed at the the seller I determined the problem.

Good thing I didn't call him and make a fool of my self eh???

lets please keep this correct,you cannot program anything to the tether period.you can program the tether to the sled.sled accepts 5 tethers not the other way around. ;).I am sure when mxzwfo sees this he will say this is correct,and he was a dealer.

Acording to my owners manual, it says the tethers are all unique and that the mpem can be programmed to accept up to 8 tethers.

when my dealer programed my wife and my sled the same he also added in the books. Our named, phone number, address and date purchased....Iff anyone tries to change the settings it will show up with us as owners..

I hated quoting a number. I was not sure of,I thought it was 7,but everyone here says 5 so that is my guide.I will not dispute the number ,other than I had thought it was higher.thank you.

As Dooman stated, you program the sled to the teather and not the teather to the sled.


Brian

the sled can except 8 teathers.

you program the mpem in the sled to except the teather.

you do not program the teather.

brian thanks but even you got it backwards,lol.

Oops, Should of said you program the mpem not the teather to except the resistance that the chip in the cord has.

Brian

I used to carry a set of special spark plug wire inserts that I would install any time I went in to a bar or cafe or even overnight in a motel. They would prevent any spark from reaching cylinder. The nice thing was unless you looked very close you would not know they were there. One time while at a motel in southern Minn. I happened to see a kid trying to get my sled started!!! I watched about 10 minutes and when he was good and tired me and my budy went down and got the guy. All he had to say was "How in the hell do you get the sled started!!! local deputy took him away.

just went to a candadian dealer and my buddy got a sled and they said he could program upto 5 sleds on one key.

Not sure why I would make something like that up if anything at all :thumbsup:

Originally posted by tb2@Nov 17 2002, 01:07 PM
My 1998 formula 111 700 got stolen dess and all, a 98 xc 700 was right next to it and was untouched. IMO the dess is just another potential electrical problem. Keep it simple please. I trust a lock and cable now!
LMAO,...I wouldn't even have noticed the Polaris.

SORRY to here about your sled on the other hand ???

I am not saying you made it up,I was doubting the info itself.I am not trying to be a know it all ,but I doo not want people to get the wrong info.I would think that with mxzwfo posting that all would now know which is correct,he was a dealer until he left for his own reasons.what he is saying is what I was taught by my dealer so I will go along with it.only thing I don't know about is how many tethers the mpem will hold. :) I will soon because I am heading over to the shop in a couple days.

Not sure exactly what every one is disputing?
mxzwfo.
you say (and i do not dispute), you program the MPEM to the tether.
If so then could i, if i owned 5 sleds(for what ever reason) program the MPEM in all 5 sleds to one tether cord.
I don't see why not as it is just a program. if the program in the MPEM is simply reading the resistance in the chip of the tether cord. then why would there be a limit to the number of sleds you could program with the same rersistance.
the tether doesn't know how many sleds it's been programmed to or does it?

you can progam that tether to many sleds,the mpem will only allow itself to have x amount of tether it accepts.

This is what it says in the book.

Originally posted by SKI-DOOD@Nov 17 2002, 10:03 PM
Not sure exactly what every one is disputing?
mxzwfo.
you say (and i do not dispute), you program the MPEM to the tether.
If so then could i, if i owned 5 sleds(for what ever reason) program the MPEM in all 5 sleds to one tether cord.
I don't see why not as it is just a program. if the program in the MPEM is simply reading the resistance in the chip of the tether cord. then why would there be a limit to the number of sleds you could program with the same rersistance.
the tether doesn't know how many sleds it's been programmed to or does it?
The number that the mpem can be programed to is limited. I can't remember how many but 7 comes to mind on the number of teathers that a mpem can store. On the other hand you can take one teather and program the mpem's to as many ski-doo's and sea-doo's for that matter as you want.
At the dealership I had one teather that I programed into all the sleds and pwc's that was sold or in for repair. That way if it came back in and they forgot the teather (happened all the time) I would be able to run the unit with out having to reprogram it again. Sort of a master key.


Brian

Yes it is the sled, not the tether that gets programmed... my forgetfullness.

Thats a good idea on the plug inserts. When we stop at a restaurant, we usually try to wedge the highest value sled up against a wall or something and have lower value machines behind it so its harder to steal... and... sit by the window so you can see the machine.

I can swap a module on a zx chassis sled in about 30 seconds. DESS wont stop anyone who wants the sled. But I will really #### of the guy who had his fall out of his pocket somewhere while in the middle of nowhere and didnt have a way to get his sled running. I always have a spare hidden on the sled somewhere...find it if you can.

My sister in law just got her new sled, a '04 Legend 500SS. My bro' & I both have DESS equipped sleds. If we want to be able to start any of the sleds w/ any of our DESS cords, do we have to take all 3 sleds to the dealer to get the MPEM reprogrammed or can we take the DESS cords in w/ each sled & get the reprogramming done?

The reason I ask is that I'll be passing the dealer this week w/ my sled & I can take the DESS cords along w/ me & I'd @ least be able to set my sled up. For us to have all 3 sleds @ the dealer @ the same time is a real pain in the butt.

revrnd, not sure if you got the gist of this thread but the cords cannot be programmed. The sleds must be brought to the dealer or the Programming box brought to your house. All your sleds can be programmed to accept all of the DESS tethers that you own though.

Perm

So, the *^#@~*^%$ can still steal my sled :(
It's a fact of snowmobiling, Sad but true. Park it in your garage, outside your motel window, and for God's sake, insure it for theft :confused:

I spoke to them @ White Water & yes you have to have the sleds & cords @ the dealership to do it.

About the theft deterrance question. It would probably stop the town scum from joyriding away on your sled. But 3 guys & a half ton will still be able to "borrow" your sled.

I can tell you the DESS system can be over-ridden. I do not know how but I had 2 sleds stolen in February, the DESS posts were laying on the floor of the trailer and the sleds we driven away. They tried to steal the 3rd sled but luckily for me the cylinders were off for a rebuild. They have since caught the thieves but the sleds are confiscated as evidence. I hope to eventually find out how they got them to run.

ronzx9

I have a security system that can accept 15 9mm tethers I mean rounds! Get a CCW and dare the riff raff to come play. Nothing beats some target practice after sledding!!

Originally posted by permafrost@Dec 13 2004, 08:29 AM
revrnd, not sure if you got the gist of this thread but the cords cannot be programmed.* The sleds must be brought to the dealer or the Programming box brought to your house.* All your sleds can be programmed to accept all of the DESS tethers that you own though.

Perm
374616

true if you do not own 14 sleds :christmas: I think they can hold 7-8 dess cords in memory. usually one is the shops were you bought it.

Speaking from personal experience. The DESS cord wont help prevent theft if its on the sled. OOPS.

When ever I hit a restaurant or hotel I always shut the gas off and run it dry. Chances are a guy isnt going to check that, if he even lifts the cowl at all.

Good topic and discussion folks. If someone wants your sled. They will get it. Cut the chain/lock, drag it, load it up, or ride it away. It all depends on how bad they want it.
IMO the DESS plugs primary function is to shut down the sled, when I fall off.
It's 2nd function is as a smart key with basic security to stop the average joe/jody from driving your sled away.
The more separate security systems you add, chaining it to a solid object, track lock, deadhead plug caps, etc. hopefully makes the thief pick an easier target.
Like someone already said, the thief knocked out the DESS sockets (they were on the floor of the trailer) and probably twisted the wires together. Thieves doo it almost the same way for cars, boats, bikes, etc. A thief learns how to bypass the security on a specific vehicle that they want, long before they steal it. IMO. This is why they sometimes move better sleds than the one their taking. eg. They know how to get the 2001 sled but have not learned how to bypass the 2004, so they move the 2004 and ride the 2001 away. They will also move a better sled if they are looking for parts for a specific sled.
I have had the same spare plug for the last 4 sleds I've owned and you doo program the MPEM on the sled to accept the plugs code. So unless the dealer has removed the code from my old sleds, for my spare plug. My spare plug can still start any of my old sleds.


This topic reminds me of a funny story/trick about the DESS plug.
I went to go for a ride one night and the sled started but gave me the warning beep, light and wouldn't rev up. I know this means wrong plug or it's not attached properly. I knew that I had the right plug and it was plugged in correct, so I thought that I had some ice build up in the bottom of the plug. I look in the plug in the moon light(full moon)and I see a nice shiny clean bottom with no ice. I reattach it to the socket and it still doesn't work. Messed around for 1/2hr cleaning the socket and plug at -25C with no luck getting the sled to go. Then I take the plug into the house cursing with cold fingers. In the light I looked in the plug and found a dime wedged in the bottom of the plug like it was made for it. LMAO
In the dark or in low light I couldn't tell the dime is in it.
The next night I told a couple of friends about it and we did it to a 3rd friends plug. What a laugh. Trying to keep a straight face while he cursed at the sled. He checked his plug a dozen times and still didn't see it. He even thought that one of us switch his plug so we started our sleds and drove them forwards a few feet. Had to tell him before we wet our pants.

Originally posted by Fraz@Dec 14 2004, 01:47 AM
This topic reminds me of a funny story/trick about the DESS plug.
I went to go for a ride one night and the sled started but gave me the warning beep, light and wouldn't rev up. I know this means wrong plug or it's not attached properly. I knew that I had the right plug and it was plugged in correct, so I thought that I had some ice build up in the bottom of the plug. I look in the plug in the moon light(full moon)and I see a nice shiny clean bottom with no ice. I reattach it to the socket and it still doesn't work. Messed around for 1/2hr cleaning the socket and plug at -25C with no luck getting the sled to go. Then I take the plug into the house cursing with cold fingers. In the light I looked in the plug and found a dime wedged in the bottom of the plug like it was made for it. LMAO
In the dark or in low light I couldn't tell the dime is in it.
The next night I told a couple of friends about it and we did it to a 3rd friends plug. What a laugh. Trying to keep a straight face while he cursed at the sled. He checked his plug a dozen times and still didn't see it. He even thought that one of us switch his plug so we started our sleds and drove them forwards a few feet. Had to tell him before we wet our pants.
375045



Nice guy. Sounds like my friends.
I too learned that a dime fits right in there nicely. Luckily I did it in the day light, and figured out the problem quickly. Now I try to keep my change in a different pocket.

FishHog