| Author | Message | ||
     Nittanyxt |
08 XT,17K miles,recently started having idle issues,ie. sputtering,wants to die coughing,erratic speed,stumbling.CEL twice for no more than 5 minutes,O2 sensor code and no others. Bike seems to run fine at anything other than idle,no power loss or skip spark.Cleaned TB and IAC ports,ex. servo operating normally,new iridium plugs and plug wires,replaced O2 sensor with Bosch 12014,installed new fan while I was there. Old iridium plugs with 7K on them appear to be sooty/black,indicating a rich condition. OK, heres what I'm thinking,tell me if I'm on the right track. I think the IAC is not functioning correctly causing a rich idle condition,or the ECM is not giving the IAC correct instructions. I Did notice a small mark on the black(rear) ECM connector from seat contact and have installed a carriage bolt to prevent any further contact. Should I replace the ECM or the IAC first? Any other suggestions? The symptoms came on suddenly rather than gradually. Thanks! | ||
| Tootal |
Always check intake manifold leaks first. Pull the scoops off and spray WD40 around intake seals at heads. Any change in rpm is a leak. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Thanks Greg! I'll check that but wouldn't that show up as a lean reading on the plugs? | ||
| Rwven |
I had those symptoms on my 08 XT last year, it was a faulty IAC on mine. Checking the intake seals is a good idea and easily done, so do that first. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Reading spark plugs can be difficult with fuel injection. With a carb, other than when the choke is on, the mixture is constant so the plugs can be read by color. With EFI the mixture is not constant so the color can be misleading. | ||
| Bosh |
IAC??? | ||
| Dano_12s |
Idle Air Control | ||
| Etennuly |
A faulty throttle position sensor could do it also. Would a bad IAC throw a code? Check your wiring harness for spots of potential rub through under the air box base also. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
No intake leaks! Still idles like crap,have to blip ocassionally when idle is low,then it wants to idle at 1600+. No codes other than the previous O2 code,IE no current codes. GRRRR! Any clue how to test the IAC? (Message edited by nittanyxt on July 26, 2010) | ||
| Jphish |
Did you try TPS reset as per Etennuly suggestion ?? Easy to do for 08' model. Engine @ operating temp - Key Off, kill switch on. Then turn key to ON position (don't start motor!) - and twist the "go" side to WOT 3 times, holding @ each WOT position for at least 1 sec. Turn key off - then back on, until CEL goes out. Then off of course... unless you're going to restart and ride. Let us know how it goes. j | ||
| Nittanyxt |
I've done the TPS reset a few times,I just now pulled fuel pump fuse and at key on can hear the IAC doing its thing.Put airbox back on,fuel pump fuse back in,now it's idling fine. WTF! I'll take it for a jaunt tomorrow,get it good and hot and see what happens! If I still have issues after that it's probably time for an ECM. | ||
| Etennuly |
Hey Jon, Have you been trying to ride that thing solo??? Maybe you have just begun realize that Uly's shake around violently at idle, you know, since Derik is not on the back to absorb the vibrations!!??   | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Took it out the other day,forgot to reset the suspension,handled like crap,DUH! Got new PR2s on it,we'll see how they do,You didn't seem to have any stick issues!  | ||
| Etennuly |
Not even when I drug the pegs and re-tipped my accessory right side pipe! I'm a liken them tars!  | ||
| Thump4fun |
Hey Jon - did you find the culprit? I'm having exactly the same symptoms on my 2008 XB12Ss -- see long thread if interested: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/573348.html?1280232538: Basic symptoms are: - Erratic idle (650 - 1600 RPM)- see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkh1Ttms7jU - Stumbling / lurching at speed - A general "feel" of an A/C condenser coming on and off during riding (power loss or engine braking feeling) - etc. I've done much the same things as you at this point, although I actually had the exhaust valve actuator CEL code come up at first when it went south just all of a sudden (over Memorial weekend). Dealer replaced it on the last day of my warranty, but it didn't change the problems. New plugs (iridiums) to replace fouled plugs (black, dry soot, mostly front plug) and wires, checked all wiring I could possible see, re-routed the engine temp sensor wire, removed breather bypass and put back to stock, updated ECM to most current (which did change the fan cycle and helped with some heat issues) ran Sea Foam through her, checked for intake leaks, TPS reset multiple times (by me and the dealer), etc. Nothing ever seemed to help much, if at all. Last night I finally cleaned out the throttle body and the two IAC holes (something the dealers stated they did but which I found to still be covered in thin, dark soot) and it idled perfectly this morning! Of course, sometimes she does trick me and acts like she's fine for a day or so. Now I'm also leaning towards the IAC, but I've heard it's a $300+ part (I haven't verified that though) so like you I'd like to know for sure. (Message edited by thump4fun on July 27, 2010) | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Thump, Went out for 70 miles,bike runs like a raped ape everywhere BUT idle,which is still hunting up and down. Sputtering and coughing are markedly reduced. I'm going to clean EVERY connector and terminal that exists and see if that clears up the rest of the problem. I may call Erik Buell Racing any how for another ECM anyway, to have a spare.I've heard or seen that the IAC is about $175 | ||
| Thump4fun |
Thanks for that feedback. On my side, this morning she ran beautifully, then after work in the hot day she ran like total sh*t...hunting idle all over, high idle when riding, sputtering and coughing, etc. Still went ahead and rode out to bike night with the wife, riding like crap all the way. Then after a bite to eat and wandering around, 90 minutes later in the cooler evening air, she fired right up and purred perfectly -- the bike did too!  Ran great all the way home. I picked up some more Sea Foam spray and am going to remove the IAC to completely clean it. I'm strongly leaning towards that being the problem -- either carbon build up in the IAC itself, or it's gone and broke on me, only intermittently. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Perhaps it's just sticky? Anyone think a shot of carb cleaner down that idle bypass opening would do anything productive? | ||
| Thump4fun |
That's exactly what I did last night. Used some STP Throttle Body Cleaner and cleaned out the throttle body, the butterfly, AND the two bypass holes that the IAC is connected to. Now I'm going to remove the IAC completely and try cleaning it and the holes with Sea Foam to see if the clears it up all the way...probably in the next couple of days. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
From what I understand talking to Al Lighton the IAC is a stepper motor that moves a plunger in or out of a tapered cylinder(minds out the gutter now!). What you should hear at key on (pull fuel pump fuse first so you CAN hear it) is five clicks/whirs as it closes then two clicks/whirs as it opens partially back up. The only other diagnostics that I know of involve the Digital Technician,which of course I don't have! However,the IAC is controlled by the ECM. Both items are electronic and we all know what that can mean. I'll report back when I've had a chance to clean (fine files,emory cloth, contact cleaner) EVERY terminal/conection including all fuse/relay terminals. Don't ya just love electronics? | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Ok, cleaned all fuse/relay terminals,put seat back on,started bike. Took 3 tries of sputtering low idle speed before it somewhat settled into a rough idle. Swapped ign. and key relays,no difference.BTW is the ign. relay supposed to be warm/hot to the touch? Took seat back off,restarted,same roughness,wiggled rear(black) ECM plug,no change. Wiggled front(grey) ECM plug and AHAH! Five plus minutes of smooth 1050-1100 rpm idle,no lag when cracking throttle. Shut down,immediately restarted with a hot motor and it's still smooth. Looks like new ECM time and i think I'm just gonna tuck it in front of the battery,wrapped in some foam rubber like I do with my RC receivers,so no possibility of seat contact. Will post how it goes! | ||
| Thump4fun |
Any news? I'm looking to swap my ECM with another rider tonight and see what difference that makes for me. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Waiting on ECM from Erik Buell Racing | ||
| Ulynut |
Jon, can you post some pics of the ecm in the new location? What kind of foam do you use? | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Dan,will do,ECM should get here Thurs. In my RC airplanes I always wrapped the receiver in foam rubber to isolate vibrations. The stuff I use should be available at any hobby shop that deals with RC airplanes,it comes in 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick sizes. I figure it can't hurt! Rwen had a pic in another thread of his ECM just shoved sideways in front of the battery box,he says it works fine. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Hey Jon, my ECM swap seems to have fixed my very similar problems! Swapped out tonight and problems all disappeared. Riding with the borrowed ECM for the next few days just to verify the problems are really ECM related, and if so, will likely get an Erik Buell Racing ECM also. My update is here if interested: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/573348.html | ||
| Nittanyxt |
I saw that Thump,hopefully that takes care of things for ya. I'll find out tomorrow. I'd like to do WVBR4 if I can! | ||
| Nittanyxt |
60 miles this evening with new Erik Buell Racing ECM mapped for stock pipe, NO ISSUES! Did several shutdowns of various lengths of time and not once did it spit,fart or cough.Gonna try to put on a few hundred miles over the next few days before I consider the problem gone, though. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Excellent!! I hope your problem is resolved. Sadly, my saga continues even after trying a known good ECM. *heavy sigh* |
