| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
I have read about so many ECM cracking issues I decided to take a look at mine and see if I could tell if it was being contacted by the seat or anything else. This is what I saw  Mine is a 2010, and I don't know if other years have this or not, but mine has a plastic block that appears to be there just to keep anything from hitting the ECM. You can see on the bottom right corner of the plastic block that the seat has been hitting it. It does seem to be keeping anything from hitting the ECM though. This is what the seat looks like on the underside.  It's a bit hard to tell from the photo, but you can see where the seat is hitting the block. From these photos, does it look like I need to do anything to protect my ECM? To me, all looks ok as long as the plastic block keeps doing its job, but maybe I am missing something. What would you all recommend? Thanks | ||
| Froggy |
The spacer is doing its job, but I still would relocate the ECM anyway. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
You need to move the ecm. That wear on the corner of the block will continue until the seat hits the ecm.I would guess it probably comes into contact now when the seat is good and hot and deforms a bit. | ||
| Dynasport |
Ok, where have you guys moved the ECM to and what do you attach it to? Thanks | ||
| Motorbike |
  Dynasport, I think your seat is just starting to hit the front ECM connector but may not have done any damage yet. Mine looked exactly like that before I moved the ECM. I drew arrows on your pics to point out where it is hitting. I would recommend moving the ECM just to put your mind at ease. Thanks. | ||
| Rodclement |
I guess I am gonna relocate mine as well! Any pics of where to move it to would be appreciated! Thanks! Rod | ||
| Rodclement |
Nevermind...found it...searching is a great tool!  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/629631.html Rod | ||
| Rr_eater |
Where the heck did that dam ECM go..........  | ||
| Dynasport |
Well, now I have a project for next weekend. | ||
| Ourdee |
Where is the tool pouch now? | ||
| Rcf2 |
Find my 08 in the same situation as Dynasport and even liking Rr_eater location (but seems any water mist that get in the area will get direct into the contacts) take another minimal approach. Get the block out and place an spacer at bottom raising it a bit. Bent the back metal support to lower it a bit also. On that bolt use a rubber ring to gain some flexibility (just in case). Use a rule to move over the seat rails to confirm the ECM connectors are not over this level. Use small felt dots on the bottom of the seat (rails contact area) exactly at the position the seat touch connectors. To confirm place a white label on the connector touching area to see if any scratch comes out after riding. Will keep monitoring it and if keep working will post pics. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I weigh over 200 and my ECM has never had a problem. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Do the 06's and 07's have the plastic block to help keep the seat off the ecm? Does the block help? I have an 08XT and, as Dyna did, I checked mine out today, again! I have some hitting on the block but not on the ECM. I have the tall seat. Problems coming? | ||
| Ourdee |
I cracked the connector with the block in place after I lost over 40 pounds. Had more to do with heat. I was resting my legs on the frame pucks to avoid the heat. | ||
| Rr_eater |
Ourdee Its the big black bag under the cable lock there, no more stinking tiny pouch.... Rcf2 That is a weather-pack connector, there is no chance any measurable amount of water could get in there like that any more then where it was from the factory. I like it, no rubbing, no movement, touches nothing, works great. Bruce | ||
| Rcf2 |
Rr_eater, Thanks, I really like the place you located the ECM, how long you have it there? If my changes does not perform well I will try your solution. | ||
| Dynasport |
Hey Rr, do you have the ECM just poked down in that open area or is it attached to anything? | ||
| Buewulf |
BuellerXT, It will very likely eventually hit the ECM connector. The block wears down. | ||
| Slyuly |
Mine must have started hitting this weekend after a 11.5 hour ride to TN from PA on a super hot SAT. At first I just thought it was too hot as it would sputter slightly, but it started on Sun again we ran the tail of the dragon and headed home and it just got worse as the day went on. we were checking everything on the way home and halfway up VA I stood on the pegs and it stopped cutting out, so I ran the rest of the way barely sitting on the seat. Thankfully it started raining and that helped take my mind off my quivering, burning thighs. I'll check the ECM for cracks tonight and move it. (Message edited by slyuly on September 06, 2011) | ||
| Motorbike |
Probably too late now if it's cracked already. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Does the Comfort Kit help at all? My seat is mostly hitting the Comfort kit plastic, is hitting my plastic ECM protector(LOL)'block' a bit, about like Dyna's is hitting, and maybe, just a tiny tad, touching my ECM. What a friggen drag. To hopefully prevent the kind of ECM problem so many have had I removed the two ECM bolts and tried to move the ECM down under the positive cable. No luck. The wiring is too short or I'd have to unwrap a bunch of stuff to try again. Bolted it back up and with cooler weather coming I'll just wait and hope a better solution develops. (Message edited by buellerxt on September 06, 2011) (Message edited by buellerxt on September 07, 2011) | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
Rr_eater, Very nice,I like it!  | ||
| 7873jake |
Your ECM is covered by a 5 year ( or ~ 18,000 mile) warranty under EPA regs. See your owners manual for more information. I just had my OEM ECM replacement ordered last week (should be in shortly). If you go with an aftermarket replacement battery (non-HD), be sure to check the dims on the batt. My replacement Interstate batt is too long for my ECM to fit between the batt and the fuse box. | ||
| Schwara |
I recall reading something about the 5 year EPA reg but I'm guessing that the 18K is based on the original bike miles ... is that correct? I am assuming it's not 5 years or 18K from the time of purchase of the ECM. | ||
| Billy_bee |
Both ears on my ECM cracked and broke off; so, I located the ECM in the same place as Rr did. Been there for several months with no troubles. I just shoved mine in that slot. Glove fit. Seems to me like that's where it should have been located in the first place. bb | ||
| Buellerxt |
I just looked at mine for the second time in two days after reading a number of advisories on 'pending' failure but dam*! There are no easy, feels good, solutions. I ended up putting a couple of thin washers between the plastic block and ECM to hopefully buy a little time while I look for a better solution. There is no room under the ECM after installing the Comfort kit, to just drop it down as Rwven did. Rr and Billy's solution of tucking it down between the battery and fuse box looks good on the computer but that is one 'slim' hole! That would be a cramming job that would stress the fuse box and ???? Still searching for a solution | ||
| Bike_pilot |
I'll have a look when I pick up the Uly this Saturday, but my first thought was to see whether fitting a Shorai battery would free up enough space for an ECM re-location. | ||
| Billy_bee |
I answered a PM about moving the ECM. Just want to point out that I moved mine as part of installing the comfort kit. Everything was out and loose. It was easy to fit the ECM in there. It is a snug fit, not a forced fit. Bike runs better with none of the previous cut-out issues other than some cold-start hiccups. bb | ||
| Billy_bee |
Here is a picture of the under-seat area of my Uly. When I got the bike, it had the usual ECM problem. PO said I needed a new ECM. Seemed like a stupid solution to me. (And I did not want to part with the $$$). So, as you can see, I tried a relocation bracket. The ear of the ECM promptly broke off. You can still see where I had it mounted in the upper right-hand corner of this pic...  As I mentioned in the previous post I moved the ECM while installing the Comfort Kit. As you can see from this photo, I am not out of the woods entirely. The positive battery cable has some wear from contact with the seat pan. That is not a critical issue as the pan is plastic. But I don't want exposed hot wires. I will wrap the cable for better protection. I may also run the positive cable under the elastic hold-down strap. bb (Message edited by billy bee on September 08, 2011) | ||
| Rr_eater |
Ok, time to let the cat out of the bag per say. If you look on the right hand side of the battery as if you were sitting on it, there is a small metal tab, that keeps the battery from sliding side to side. I bent that tab over about 1/4", which still keeps it from hitting the frame rail, but lets it wiggle over enough, that the ECM on the other side is a perfect fit. I then placed a couple piece of velcro on each side of the ECM, the soft fuzzy side, so the fit was snug, but not overly tight. I can unplug the ECM without it moving, but a GENTLE tug on the ecm housing, and it will pop right out. It has never moved in the dozen long rides I have taken since doing this, and no issues. BUT, I do know an ECM is in my future, because BEFORE I relocated it, I noticed the resin around the connectors to the housing was cracked and flexing already, so it may be inevitable that mine takes a crap someday, but it is race ECM, so maybe that makes it tougher! LOL Any thing else you want to know, just ping me! Bruce |
