| Author | Message | ||
     Rbuck53 |
Purchased a very clean, one owner, 08 Uly w/10k miles on it last week in St Louis (I live in Atlanta). 200 miles out of St Louis, at 70mph, the engine sputtered, backfired, then died. After several restart attempts it finally started but the idle soared to 2k+ before dying again. Could not keep it running after that. Got towed 75 miles. Abernathy HD diagnosed the problem as corroded plug wires. No wires in stock so, replaced plugs, cleaned wire ends and sent me on my way. 200 miles later...same thing again! Got towed to Murfreesboro, TN but too late on Sat to work on bike so I decided to get towed home to Atlanta, 235 miles. Once home I replaced the spark plug wires then rode for 1 hour before the same thing happened again. Engine code is for the idle motor but Abernathy HD checked it and said that was not the problem, rather the motor was reacting to a continuous misfire and the ecm was attempting to keep the engine running (the reason for the high idle). Anyway, anybody have any ideas about what might be causing this problem? Previous owner states that he has never had problems with the running of the bike before. Mods are: K&N, Jardine & EBECM programmed for these 2 items. Thanks for any help on this. Richard | ||
| Rwcfrank |
Rbuck, that is a poor intro to your Uly. It could be a number of things but of the top of my head. BAS, heat induced fuel pump failure. Bad fuel.. Damaged broken ECM, do you have any more info? | ||
| Bpt |
Start by checking all your grounds, especially the one under the seat. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Put some new ngk plugs in it and run it for 20 miles. Please report back. | ||
| Buellhusker |
I had a similar problem with my 2009 Uly and it turned out to be the fuel pump. | ||
| Trojan |
rear cylinder head temperature sensor failure has the same symptoms and rarely shows up on dealer scanyliser software in my experience. if it was plug leads they would either work or not, so the dealer was just 'fishing' for a fault they couldn't find. It certainly wouldn't run fine for 200 miles then stop if it was leads or plugs. Could also be fuel pump of course, but again it would be strange to get 200 miles between faults if this was the case. My money is on the temperature sensor. I'm not aware of any test that can be done, you just have to replace it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I don't know what a bad crank position sensor would do on an 08. But given the backfire, I would put that on the list to check as well. Check the throttle butterfly shaft and plate as well. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
I have an 08 and when the fuel pump crapped out in the middle of nowhere the symptoms were 1) Ran fine until it got really hot outside. >90F. 2) Would start to miss and hiccup, but this would be cured by putting fresh fuel in. (I assume the cooler gas from the pump somehow mitigated the heat for awhile. 3) Would run fine with the fresh gas for about 100 miles, then start to buck and miss again. 4) Go to 2 Ended up stranded in Montana. Fuel pump replaced, no problems since. In general, the two things that give the most fits on these bikes are the ground and the ECM. The 08 is notorious for cracked ECMs because the seat sags (again, when it's hot) and cracks the ECM. Search the forum for "ECM Relocation", you'll be reading all day. Good luck. I probably am courting disaster typing this, but I haven't had any problems in thousands of miles. | ||
| Rbuck53 |
First...a kind "thank-you" to all those that offered suggestions and comments about resolving this issue. Great help! I can now officially be added to the list of owners who have had their ECM crack. I'll be doing a search here to find out how and what is involved in relocating this unit to a safer place where it won't get sat on and squashed. My bike being an 08, am I correct in saying that after the new ECM installation the TPS needs to be reset? Does EBR outline this procedure when you purchase one of his ECM's? Thanks again...and I hope not to be back here too often with more problems. Fingers crossed.... Richard | ||
| Froggy |
TPS reset is not necessary on 08+ bikes as it is self calibrating, but it takes only a minute to do anyway. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/561521.html?1285617127 | ||
| Reepicheep |
The bad news is you need a new ebr ecm. The good news is you are getting a new ebr ecm!  (And actually it may be repairable, with the right skills) | ||
| Sugarmcguinnmsncom |
It just so happens... That I just relocated my ECM.... I found a stainless steel bracket at Stone Way Hardware that works perfectly... Has four pre-punched holes, two of which line up perfectly after you bend it accordingly... I had to buy two, as they came in a package. If you would like it and think you could use it... Shoot me your address I'll send it to you. So many folks here on the BW have graciously helped me... When I was in need of some help with the Ol Uly..... You know who you are...  I'd love the opportunity to pay it forward... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Just for more detail, somebody here (sorry, I forget who) carefully cut away some case and potting, and did a great job documenting how they crack, and was able to reflow the solder on the pins. That, combined with relocating the ECM, might solve the problem. Though it will never be as strong as original, and original was already not strong enough, and that's a lot of pins to fix and any one of them could create ghosts in the machine, so you wouldn't be crazy to just go buy the EBR ECM and mount it in a new safer place. | ||
| Jstav2012 |
If anyone here has "broken" ECMs, I would be willing to repair them, and keep as spares for people who might run across the same issue. I might even be able to find a better method to use as an enclosure. PM me if interested. I guess I could also fix them for a fee, but I'd rather go the altruistic route. | ||
| Bdub_uly |
I'll send you one. No external indication that it's bad, but the EBR made my '08 a usable bike. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Very cool guys. | ||
| Uly_man |
I am not saying that this is the problem with my 10 bike but you can see movement on the sockets of the ECM if you move them. The problem is the sockets are mounted on the PCB and NOT the case of the ECM. After moving my ECM I put a cable tie around each socket/plug with them around the ECM as well. This is no good for the old ECM position but it will prevent any damage to the sockets once the ECM is moved to a new position. There are a lot of wires going to the ECM and they could cause strain to the sockets IE Break them. I do not know if it will help any but it does make the whole thing a stronger package. | ||
| Rbuck53 |
Sugar, Sent you a PM. Thank you! After looking at the ECM a bit more closely I am surprised to confirm Uly-man's statement that the sockets are indeed mounted directly to the PCB. Ugh! Not happy about that. | ||
| Sugarmcguinnmsncom |
Hmmm... This makes me wonder... Is my EBR Race ECM built the same "weak" way? Anyone know about the EBR ECM builds? Also, Richard, bracket on the way! I'll send you a photo of how I bent it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I suspect the EBR ECM hardware is identical to stock. Both seem to hold up fine provided you aren't crunching them with the seat. So either add armor and leave it in place, or move it. | ||
| Arcticktm |
As Reepi alluded to, you can just improve the stock protection if you don't want to mess with relocating ECM. I just made another plastic standoff (like the one stock on the front ECM mounting bolt) for the rear ECM mounting bolt, so that the seat cannot get pressed down and hit the ECM or connector. I did that after my stock ECM started acting up (though it is still usable - just throws an ECM failure code and stumbles every once in a while). EBR ECM and homemade standoff part and good to go for past 3 years. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes the EBR ECM and Stock ECM are identical hardware, just different programming. The hardware is fine, the issue is the location. This issue has never happened to the best of my knowledge on the Firebolts, Lightnings, and 1125R/CR, all of which use the same identical ECM. The issue is the seat pressing on the connector, which did not happen when the bike was first released. The 06 bikes had a thicker seat and a thinner ECM, so there were no real clearance issues back then. The lower/thinner seat came out, then they started putting that small block to help prevent the seat from touching, but it isn't enough for some, especially the more heavyset. In 08 the new fuel injection system introduced a new ECM, which is several millimeters thicker than the older models, making the issue more pronounced. The issue didn't even really start cropping up until after production ended. There were a few cases here and there, but as time went on and people started putting miles on bikes (some of which sat unsold for years in a showroom), the issue started appearing. The good news is that it is a pretty easy fix, assuming your ECM is not damaged yet, either relocate it or built some kind of bracket to protect it and deflect the stress off the connectors.
It is not a weak way, you just shouldn't have stress on a connector, regardless of what it is for. The stress will eventually break the connection. Take a look at some laptops being used by negligent people, you will see the power connectors are often loose and wobbly due to abuse. (Message edited by froggy on August 30, 2013) | ||
| Reepicheep |
I also added "more stand off" to the upgraded post also. I also cut a block from a wal-mart foam sleeping pad (high density fairly stiff foam) that was the size of the top of the ECM, and double-sided-taped it down. That became a defacto squishy seat stand off that keeps the seat further from the connectors, and keeps the pressure of the seat on the ECM body rather than the connectors. | ||
| Rbuck53 |
With the ecm relocated to the position above the rear shock reservoir, has there been any history of vibration affecting the performance of the unit? I would think that wrapping or covering parts of the ecm with a thin layer of high density foam might help but this may cause other issues such as heat build-up within the ecm and also push it up closer to the seat bottom where we don't want it. Anyone have pics of how they cushioned their ecm after relocating it? Thanks. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"Anyone have pics of how they cushioned their ecm after relocating it?" Sorry no pics but our unconventional fix was to wrap the ecm in bubble wrap then place a cotton chef's glove over it. It's worked for us for thousands of miles....no issues. This summer, after replacing our open, single motorcycle trailer's deteriorating tire chock covering with some heavier duty pipe insulation, and securing it with zip ties, we thought the pipe insulation may work well as ecm cushioning. You can get about six feet of the stuff at Menards for about four bux. Good luck!! | ||
| Rbuck53 |
Okay, Here is an update as to what's been done to locate and rectify this problem with the helpful hints of members on this forum. The ecm was found to be cracked, so a replacement was ordered from EBR 2 weeks ago and was received yesterday. While waiting for the ecm I set about setting up for the relocation trick with the help of a stainless steel bracket sent to me free by Sugarmcguinnmsncom who I need to thank once again for his kind generosity. I lined the new location with 1/8" sticky back foam and rerouted the wiring harness so that there would be absolutely no strain on the new ecm connectors. I also cut a relief in the rib on the bottom of the seat for extra clearance at the highest point of the relocated ecm...which is now a comfortable 1/4". Since I really haven't ridden this motorcycle much, I was anxious as all heck to get some riding time in...so...off I headed with the new ecm in place...76 miles to be exact...and it ran like it is supposed to the entire time with not a jerk, cough, sputter, or pop. Another couple of rides like this one and my confidence will be to the point where a longer trip will be in order. Of course I have a 2010, 3 bearing wheel on the way which should make me even care less about this bike giving me problems. But...one never knows...does one? Thanks to everyone out there who was kind enough to offer assistance. It is so nice to know that we are not alone with our problems. Thanks to all !!!!!! Rich | ||
| Hughlysses |
Glad you got it fixed, Rich. |
