| Author | Message | ||
     Xrays |
Just joined, first post... A little history: I bought my bike in 1999, so it is now 14 years old. I do love riding it most of the time, and have learned to appreciate the quirks along with the excitement. I have added flat handlebars to lower my position, replaced the rear suspension after the stock unit failed a few years ago along with both front and rear engine mounts, removed all the rear wheel plastics in favour of a streamlined under-saddle look, and last year replaced both the air filter and exhaust header. I believe it was this last bit that has landed me in my current situation. As of right now, the engine has 26,000kms on it. The bike ran acceptably well with the new exhaust (D&D slip-on) and air filter (Kuryakyn Hypercharger). For obvious reasons, the bike sputtered a bit on deceleration, and had a few weak spots in the lower RPMs. I could live with this, but I ran into fuel line troubles and had to re-line my tank last fall to eliminate other problems. Unfortunately, this spring my bike hasn't ran consistently at all for me. I checked the plugs, and they were all black, so I now know that the bike is running rich (yes?), so I cleaned them and the bike started again. I started working with ECMSpy as well, attempting to maybe smooth out the low-end a bit more, but the bike is not cooperating at all. I haven't actually changed the maps as yet, but noticed the AFV was at 143%, so I reset that and the bike ran well for 10 minutes with a dead spot in the low RPMs (do dead that the bike wouldn't operate between 1200-2500 RPM at all. I increased the AFV to 110 and then 120 and finally got something that started, but again the bike decided to quit. The plugs keep fouling on me, and my battery is low, so I'm getting frustrated. Tomorrow I will be out searching for new spark plugs and a battery, both things I do need right now. However, after reading up on using ECMSpy, I've seen may people talking about downloading the RACE maps, but I have yet to come across anything actually for download. I am seriously considering buying a real RACE ECM, but thought I'd check in here first and see if anyone is interested in helping me work through my issues. I would like to try importing more appropriate fuel maps for my configuration (D&D muffler and hypercharger filter) before doing anything else. I've considered taking it to a shop, but the closest place is a 45 minute drive, which makes it inconvenient, and there's no guarantee they can help if I don't really know what's wrong. Feel free to ask questions, I'll try to answer as best possible. I really appreciate the assistance. I am tired of having a motorcycle that works only part of the time. x. | ||
| Arizona_buell |
Does the ECM Spy give you any trouble codes? Have you run tests on everything you could test? | ||
| Alfau |
With the very latest version of EcmSpy for mono,after you have worked out how to pay for it and activate it(good luck)you can download maps to suit your configuration there. http://www.ecmspy.com/index.shtml | ||
| Two_seasons |
Check for exhaust leaks. You may need new exhaust gaskets under the headers at the heads. With your hand completely wet, move it around the exhaust flanges (both) at the heads. Wet hand will help with the heat and make a leak more noticeable. | ||
| Bandm |
99 ECMs aren't programmable. You will need a 00-02 or Race ECM to be able to change mapping with the ECM Spy. | ||
| Xrays |
RE: 99 ECMs not programmable... How come this isn't documented very often? I would have jumped on a RACE ECM long ago if I knew this. Damn. I just tested my unit, and wasn't able to effectively change a value in the map despite no errors from ECMSpy. I am spending the day pulling everything apart again because I must have missed something when reassembling the bike. Fuel injectors, spark plugs, fuel line, etc., it's all coming off and I will test as much as I can. As for exhaust leaks, there are none at the headers. ECMSpy reports no trouble codes at this moment. Last year the bike ran ok, just not great. This year for some reason it just wants to be troublesome. I will report back when I have some more information. Thanks for the help so far. x. | ||
| Kevmean |
If the bike ran ok last year then do not change the maps ...... look for the fault instead, check and reset the TPS check for intake leaks , check the exhaust system is secure at the headers to ensure the o2 sensor has it's earth. Then log some data with ecmspy to ensure things like the head temp sensor are giving correct readings ..... Maps should never be changed to fix a previously ok bike. | ||
| Xrays |
Update: Pulled fuel injectors and tested, both work as expected and are clean. Reinstalled and tried starting, but the bike only seems to fire on one cylinder, and not very well at that. Some backfiring, requires high throttle setting to even run. I have ordered a new ECM, maybe that will help a bit. I have new spark plugs coming tomorrow (though the current ones are only a year old and the bike did run a week ago). After that, I'm at a loss. I will trailer it to the shop and let them figure it out. Are there any tubers in the Toronto area? Just wondering what the local support community looks like. x. | ||
| Xrays |
Just thought I'd post pics of my bike, because people are always curious. Hopefully I can get it rolling again!   | ||
| Xrays |
Update: Replaced spark plugs, and the bike starts now but won't maintain any idle speed. Applying throttle helps a bit, but ultimately the bike will just stall. I've found some new error codes, not sure how they would affect the overall system. The fuel pump is working fine, bike is getting gas, and I know the battery is a bit low, but it turns over every time. Any thoughts before I book a service appointment with my closest dealer (42km away)? What is "BAS short to ground" mean? and why does it now appear that everything is shorting to ground? x.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
BAS = Bank angle sensor = turns off engine when tipped over to fuel pump doesn't keep dumping. It's a little three wire sensor I forget where it's located on the X1. | ||
| Akbuell |
The bank angle sensor is located under the seat, just forward of the fuse/relay block. It is on the forward side of the brace that runs across the seat subframe. Throwing a dart here, but are you getting a check engine light? In my case, really crappy running and multiple trouble codes was the result of a bad engine temp sensor. Many thanks to Al at American Sport bike for that one. They can fail without throwing a code. Another possibility, given your bikes calendar age, is a corroded or loose ground. Clean and check those, and the battery cables, first, and charge the battery. Might also do to check the fuse and relay prongs for corrosion. High resistance there can cause the ECM to 'read' that sensors are shorted to ground. Really important, IMHO, to get these things right before throwing parts at it or changing maps. Hope this helps, Dave | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
+1 on the battery cable inspection. It doesn't take much to confuse the crap out of these little computers. | ||
| Xrays |
Question: Since the bike starts easily, idles and then quits, could there be a problem with the IAT sensor? I'm getting readings of 125C consistently from that sensor, which is obviously not correct. My engine temp sensor is only a year old, and was blown, so that's working. I think I got the TPS working, as I'm getting some readings now, just not changing values when I adjust the idle screw. Here are screenshots from ECMSpy showing my latest tests. x.    | ||
| Akbuell |
Again, be sure to charge your battery, and check your grounds. These bikes can be sensitive to low battery voltage. As to the air inlet temp sensor, check the wire where it connects to the harness. On my '01 X-1, I noticed that the wire was starting to wear through were it rested against an engine part. Rerouted it and added a protective sleeve. | ||
| Jramsey |
TPS is way off. | ||
| 01x1buell |
yes way to low should be up at 5.1 and whats up with the inlet air temp... damn that is way to high 125 c. | ||
| Alfau |
Battery charged before anything else. Connect to EcmSpy. clear the trouble codes. Twist the throttle to see tps move. If it does move, reset tps then set idle to 1000 rpm | ||
| Oldog |
Are the Codes from the 99 ecm? There are a lot of codes on that list Low Batt Volts IAT Short or open BAS Short or open FUEL PUMP short or open check the ecm connectors to be sure that they are seated, check harness for damage. all of those plugs are easy to get to | ||
| Xrays |
Thanks for all the input so far... Here's what I discovered today: TPS: I performed another TPS reset, and with the live feedback via ECMSpy I was finally able to set it to 5.x, but when I start the bike, it revs around 1800 at that setting, so I have to lower it to about 2.5 to be closer to 1000rpm. Not sure why I'm getting different readings than suggested, but I can't do much about that. Perhaps the throttle just doesn't close all the way? I've looked in the manifold and it appears to be closed when I reset the TPS. IAT: I pulled the sensor and tested it, and it reads about 30k, which translates to about 22C, the correct temp reading for today. I tested the ECM plug and the same values are represented there. I pulled and cleaned both ECM connectors, and no change, the ECM still reports 125C, which is essentially a short or open connection. However, when I start the bike, the readings drop to 22C for a moment, and then back to 125C again, and then the bike will stall. As of right now, the bike will run nicely for about 10 seconds. Sometimes only 2-3 seconds, once or twice maybe 15 seconds. I can't add any throttle or it stalls, and it ultimately stalls at some point regardless of settings. I have a replacement ECM ordered, but it won't be here for another week, so there's not much else I can do on my own unless someone has any suggestions. x. | ||
| Arizona_buell |
Do you have fuel pressure from the fuel line? Is there an inline fuel filter? Sounds like a fuel issue to me from here. | ||
| 01x1buell |
you have to do the tps when at operating temp | ||
| Xrays |
Just installed replacement race ECM, and the bike started and ran just fine. So obviously something was wrong with my stock ECM, as it wouldn't stay running at all. Thanks for all the assistance everyone, I will now take it in for regular service to get everything checked over just in case, but I am happy knowing that I solved the bulk of the problems before heading out there. x. | ||
| Firemanjim |
99 ecm is programmable, and with an AFV of 143 it was adding 43% more fuel because of some input----or fuel pump going bad. Have an X-1 here now that would only run with engine temp sensor unhooked, basically setting engine temp at zero and adding 199% enrichment. Hooked fuel pressure gauge up and he had a whopping 10psi | ||
| Oldog |
Thanks for sharing that FMJ, Funny how the ECM gets tagged when the problems are sensors and other external hardware. It not unique to motor cycles, I see it at work relative to industrial control systems. | ||
| Pash |
Can you post an Overview screenshot as it is now at idle? |
