| Author | Message | ||
     Starbellied_sneetch |
Hello all, I just bought the Technoresearch VDSTS scan tool from Al at American Sportbike. I've hooked it up correctly, I set up the Keyspan adapter to the proper settings, read the directions about 50 times to double-check. . . Problem is, every time I try to connect, it'll only connect for a few seconds, then it'll disconnect and I'll get the error message "ECU/ECM Not Responding". This is very frustrating. Only once has it connected long enough to actually read some data (for a second or two before disconnecting). The keyspan diagnostics indicate that the keyspan is working properly. Is it possible that my ECM is fried? A couple of months back, My bike started back firing, stalling and running horribly. I barely made it the 3 miles home, and had to run at high RPM the whole time. The problem was that a wire harness had been routed above the battery terminal, and one of the wires had rubbed raw and was actually touching the terminal. Perhaps this fried my ECM? If so, would the bike even run? It does run, but is pretty rough at steady throttle around 3,000 rpm, plus pops a lot through the exhaust on decel. Sorry for the long post, but any suggestions would be deeply appreciated! | ||
| Teeps |
Make sure the battery is fully charged and the battery cable connections are tight. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
What color was the wire that rubbed thru????? and did you fix it???? It is possible the ecm is damaged....Do you know of another bueller around to try your laptop on?????? | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
FIRSTLY PEEK YOUR PC: System Requirements In order for this software to perform as expected, the following system configuration is required: - IBM 486 (or better) or compatible PC with a minimum of 8MB of RAM, although 16MB is recomended. - VGA Monitor, SVGA monitor or better. - Windows 95/98/200/Me/NT/XP - Serial commuication port. IT HAPPENED TO ME!!!, MY PC DID NOT FULFIL THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS BUT I THINK, ALTHOUGH ECM IS FRIED MUST BE CONNECTED. GOOD LUCK!! (Message edited by buellisticx1 on March 30, 2007) | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
Also you can to check engine lamp diagnostics through data link connector in order to know if your ECM is fried, on Buell X1( TROUBLE CODES 52,53,54 AND 55). (Message edited by buellisticx1 on March 30, 2007) | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Battery is fully charged, and I even put a battery charger on to make sure. Computer is a fairly new laptop, and meets the requirements. I don't remember the color of the wire that rubbed through, but I'll try to find out. I wrapped a bunch of electrical tape around it to fix it, as none of the bare wires were broken. Good idea about trying my setup on another Buell. I'd thought of it, but I don't know anyone. I may post a message and see if someone wants a free TPS reset out of the deal if we get it working. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
I just went through the same thing. I changed a couple things at once, so I don't actually know what worked????? BTW I am not using a Keyspan adapter Here are the things I changed: I am now using the "Beta" version of the software(3.0 I believe), and I changed some setting on the COM1 port. It works good, but it has a "popup" that says I have engine trouble, and the engine light is on, but there is no code stored????WTF! I'm thinking ECM as well. I have a spare and will try it this weekend. p.s. I'm in Williamsburg, not far from you. We should work on some rides! Tank p.p.s oh yea, I forgot to mention I have two Buells now. The one with the problem is just acquired, but "My baby" has no need of a hookup. So I have a bike with no problems to "examine". (Message edited by tank_bueller on March 30, 2007) | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Tank, we'll have to get together and ride! Matter of fact, I was just in Williamsburg doing a job at the Virginia Employment Commission building on Route 5 (nice road from Richmond). I'm going to the ADVrider dinner in Culpeper tonight on the Multistrada, since the Buell's not right, then have to work in Harrisonburg for a couple of days. I'd love to hook up to your bike and see what happens. If my ECM is messed up, that'll give me an even better excuse to get the Race ECM. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Hmmmmm. Got me thinking... I am running the race ecm in the S, and that means I have two stockers laying around! One came off the S, but the other came from Ebay and I have not tested it yet.(I'm not exactly sure where it is at the moment) Sounds like I have a project for the afternoon... Tank | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Well my project turned out pretty good! Looks like I have two good stock ECM's, and my engine light is no longer on. Turned out to be a blown fuse for the fan. I should have checked the simple stuff first.  Tank p.s. Let me know how your stuff is working out, and I'll be glad to help if I can. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
sneetch, Is it a stock ECM or race ECM? I am having the exact same problems with a brand new race ECM (http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/268157.html?1175410916) but my stock works perfect. I believe that there are some ECM's with weaker drivers out there and that is the root cause of the issue. | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Tank, if you happen to be sitting around today with nothing to do, please call my mobile phone at 804-901-2350, and maybe I could run down there real quick and hook up to one of your bikes just to see if my computer setup is working properly. If I don't answer the phone I'm in the shower or something - I just dragged my carcass out of bed. My name is Mike, although I'm the only person who answers that phone, so it's irrelevant, I guess. JMhinkle, it is the stock ECM as far as I know. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Sure dude, I'll be here all day. I'd ride out to meet ya, but I don't think the weather is going to cooperate. Hell, if the software is not the problem, I'll let you take one of my ECM's with ya. Your phone will ring shortly! Tank p.s. this place is a bit of a mess, just to warn ya. (Message edited by tank_bueller on April 01, 2007) | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Well, it looks like the problem has been solved. The cable that came with the VDSTS is defective. I took my setup to Tank's house today, and it wouldn't hook up to either of his bikes for more than a few seconds either. So we swapped Tank's cable for my cable, and it worked just fine, thereby eliminating the possibility that it was my computer or keyspan adapter. We swapped back and forth a couple of times to make sure. So it looks like now I have to contact Al at American Sportbike to see how I go about exchanging the cable. A brand-new, defective cable. Always happens to me. Thanks all for the suggestions. | ||
| Garp |
I have EXACTLY the same situation. It will connect for a few seconds and then drop. I have even returned the POS to Technoresearch and they just sent the same one back. | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Garp, that really stinks. I hope I don't run into a big hassle with this. I mean, I paid 195.00 for a wire and a disk. It should just work. | ||
| Al_lighton |
I just spent over two hours testing a BUNCH of XB12 race ECMS from 3 different date codes, 4 different VDSTS cables from 3 lots and 2 firmware versions, 2 VDSTS SW versions (2.81 F and 2.81-P), and couldn't get it to fail. I've got holes in my fingers from mating and demating ECMs tonight. I tried to make connectivity fail and could not. Mike's problem is likely a failed cable or bad crimp/solder joint, or perhaps corrupted firmware. If anyone's ECM is connecting and disconnecting a lot, you probably need to send it to TR to get the newer firmware. We've seen issues with that in the past, it was fixed with a firmware update in the dongle that makes the connection more robust. We've seen batches of XB12 ECMs in the past that wouldn't connect when a stock one would, but the newer firmware corrected the problems when we saw that. I TRIED too find a combination that wouldn't work tonight and couldn't do it. Al | ||
| Stevenknapp |
I was having problems, sent my cable back, they returned a new cable, but no note in the box or anything. What's the new FW version that fixes this? Any way to confirm? | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Yes, as Al stated, my problem is somewhere in the actual cable. My setup worked fine when I used Tank Bueller's cable hooked to my computer and keyspan adapter. It's probably not a widespread problem - just my bad luck. I've sent it back to Technoresearch. Hopefully it won't take too long to get back. My bike is running horribly right now, and I'm afraid to ride it. I need this diagnostic tool so I can get back on the road! | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Oh, quit whining. I offered to let you borrow my cable.   (just kidding) If you don't want to wait for the cable, you could get a head start with the old "jumper in the diagnostic plug" routine, and count the pretty flashing lights. It's pretty easy to do.(you did say the engine light was on, right?) (Message edited by tank_bueller on April 06, 2007) | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
I got my cable back today - they replaced the dongle in the middle - and it works great now. Woohoo!!!! Unfortunately, after resetting the TPS and all that, the bike still runs lousy. It just hates cruising on a flat road at 3,000RPM. Very rough, and occasionally it'll make a "puffing" noise through the air filter; not really a backfire. When I hook up the diagnostic tool the "Engine Trouble" box pops up. There are no error codes, though. Four of the six dots (three that are different ECU/ECM codes and the Cam/Crank one are highlighted on the big box below the error codes. I don't know the significance of that. Perhaps I did fry my ECM. I may just throw Tank's in there and see what happens. I guess I need to check the timing as well. I saw a thread in here somewhere describing how to do it with a voltmeter. I gotta find that one! | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Dude, don't go crazy. Don't worry about the "dots", they mean nothing. Glad you got the new cable, and can "hook up". I think the 3.0 Beta version has some issues, like what you describe and what we witnessed. I suggest an un-install of 3.0, and re-install of the previous version. "Beta" means "testing", and we did, and we found problems. I take you as a patient soul who can handle this without too much trouble. Do you have the engine light on?? I will come and help, just wait until after the "monsoon"/"noreaster" or whatever they call it. I'm there. Tank | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Tank, I'd appreciate the help, man! Yeah, I'm not too stressed out about the whole thing. It's definitely better than it was, and I'm sure I'll make it perfect with some tinkering. I still love the bike! Plus I have the Duc to ride, so I'm not without bike. Yes, I remember we had basically the same messages with your bike, so I may do as you suggest and install the older version. I also noticed that the rear spark plug wire boot was ripped. I taped it back together with electrical tape, but I'm sure some new wires will help. I'm also going to check the timing. No error codes, and all the real-time diagnostic checks seemed okay. The only strange thing was that, when I first checked one of the coils, the bike made a noise like it was turning over and about to start. Scared the crap out of me, and it didn't do it when I tested the coils a couple of more times (I was just having fun playing with the new diagnostic toy!) | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Well, I checked my timing and it was good. I did discover, though, that my rear spark plug was about 1/4" out of the hole. I noticed when I installed the new plug that there was a lot of friction, as if the threads were a little iffy, so when I thought the plug was seated, it was actually nowhere near bottom! I don't know how much that would affect things, but it seems like combustion wouldn't be too good without the spark plug electrode even being in the combustion chamber. So I removed the plug, cleaned things up, and I think it's in all the way now. In addition, the rear plug wire doesn't "click" when pressed onto the spark plug, but it appears to be on all the way, so I think that's okay. Still going to replace the wires. Hopefully it'll run better now. Everything seems to be pretty much in order. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Wow, dude! I can see where that might cause a bit of a problem.  Not only would the spark not be far enough into the chamber, but the compression would blow right through the threads. Have you ever smelled gas fumes while riding, or after?? It's reassuring to hear that "click" when installing a plug wire, but sometimes it just doesn't. Keep us posted on your progress! | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
Smells like success!!! I just took it for a ride, and it's pretty damn smooth now. Still pops through the exhaust a lot on deceleration, but I may be able to tune that out with the Dobeck TFI. I just gotta figure out if that indicates a lean mix or a rich mix. I thought it was lean, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I'm glad I can ride it now! Tank, I got rid of the Beta software and installed the latest "proven" software, and that did the trick, as you predicted. No more warnings of any sort. I'm not sure how much the spark plug issue affected compression, other than perhaps lowering the ratio a bit. The plug was in there pretty tight. Still, who knows, maybe that puffing sound I heard once in a while was escaping compression, rather than coming through the air cleaner, which is what I though. At any rate, although I'm still getting new plug wires (and maybe ditching the Jardine)it's running good! | ||
| Tank_bueller |
 Nice work my friend! My bike had some massive decel popping after I installed the Drummer,and before I installed the race ECM. I'm guessing lean. Now with the race ECM, there's almost no popping. Good luck with the TFI. Not sure I can help much with that. Don't know much about it. | ||
| Starbellied_sneetch |
I think I'm going to get the race ECM and just forget all about the Dobeck. I'm too lazy to fine-tune the thing and, to be honest, nothing I do with it really seems to make much difference anyway. Man, I had a great day yesterday. I even checked the valve clearances on my Ducati which, as any Ducati owner will attest, is a bitch! Now I gotta finish the rest of the service on the Duc. It's really raining hard here, so at least I'm not tempted to go riding. Anyone know of a set of better spark plug wires I should buy, or just get some from the dealer? | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Feels good when you get plenty accomplished without f#(%!#$ anything up or loping off a finger, don't it! Buell sells "pro series" wires to go with the pro series plugs(they have pretty colors, too). Not sure about aftermarket wires, but I think I read somewhere a while back that Accel 300+ wires for the X1 will work on the XB?(searched, but couldn't find it again) Tank |
