1999 X1 race map link? New ECM maybe?

[Salvooch]

Hi, new to the forum.

I have a 1999 X1 with a force winder and v&h muffler (and race flashed ECM) that was working great until it just started sputtering and dying one day. I've changed the O2, new gas and gas filter, oil change, etc... No joy in figuring it out. After a few weeks in the shop, no one can find what's wrong with it. Throws most CEL codes except for the ECM.

I got downloaded the ECM spy software, got the cable and database for my model ECM. Reset the TPS worked a bit, then slowly goes back to afu again - pops and backfires a lot, and then idle slower and slower until it dies. By the time I adjust the idle screw into the 1050ish zone, it dies. I reset the TPS again and it happens all over again.

I checked my map and swear it's the same as the base map that I downloaded from online (I did NOT upload into ECM). Maybe the dealer re flashed and didn't tell me...?

Do you think it's just in need of a reflash to a race map? I've tried to download a new map, but all links I find are dead or files that ECM spy doesn't recognize. Would appreciate a link if anyone has one.

Maybe needs a whole new ECM?

I'm getting pretty frustrated during prime riding months... Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[ReadyXB]

Welcome! What were the codes? Multiple failures can sometimes be attributed to a ground that has loosened, and several sensors share a common voltage source.

Also, since you have the equipment, please record some data when the problem happens while driving and/or idling. I'd be happy to review the datalog.

 

[Salvooch]

Thanks.

Away visiting family at the moment, but will try to remember the codes... Was a lot of them. Injectors, O2, tps, voltage, fuel pump...few others can't remember. Shop basically took it apart and checked the components after my initial troubleshooting efforts (basic charge for about 1hr labor since they couldn't fix it... Pretty good group of guys).

Is there one ground site I should check? Would a ground cause it to just slowly degrade and die like that tho?

Thanks!

 

[Salvooch]

What were the codes?

Working with another forum member, I was able to check my map, reset the AFV, TPS... Since everytime I reset the TPS, it works great, then starts to degrade w/in about 5mins, I decided to change out the TPS. I hooked it up, reset the TPS and it worked great - idle was spot on, fired right up, everything... then started to pop and sputter w/in 10mins again... Then get back to the garage and all CELs are gone, bike runs fine for a while again, then craps out again... UGH!!

So, I'm stopping for a while, but wanted to show what codes it throws when this happens (it's quite a few):
(under sensor tab) Air temp sensor, Bank angle sensor, battery voltage, Engine temp sensor, O2 sensor, TPS
(under actuator tab) Coil 1, Coil 2, Fuel pump, Injector 1, Injector 2, Tachometer
(under ECM tab) A/D convertor failure, EEPROM failure, RAM failure, ROM/Flash failure

I checked the ground and battery terminals - all are tight. I've made sure to charge up the battery, as well.

One thing I did notice, the headlight is now very dim and the highbeam doesn't work anymore either (meaning the highbeam button does nothing). The bike fires up just fine each time, so I don't think it's the battery - right?? I just changed this headlight this spring, before all this crazy stuff started happening... ground maybe? Maybe the ECM has died/dying (though ECM spy picks it right up everytime...)?

Any further help is much appreciated!

 

[mrlogix]

check the wiring harness? Chaffing or frayed terminals? Never had a X1, but for all the sensors and other faults I would think of frayed (broken strands, not broken wires) terminals would drop voltage enough for the faults and the ECM faults. Less strands in the conductor (wire) = less voltage/amperage carrying capability. If it was a short, it usually does have enough amperage to blow a fuse. Hopefully someone here has dealt with X1's or had a similar issue with the same codes.

 

[Salvooch]

Anyone know why my headlight would now be REALLY dim? This didn't start until all the other problems came up.

Bulb is fine. Also, won't put high beams on now either. Harness seems to be ok.

Seems like my bike has just given up on me...

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Where are you located?
To me, its telling me your charging system is probably very weak or on its way out, probably have too low of voltage which causes the computer to act up and cause your issues. Need to probe the power wire to the pcm while running and watch what the voltage is when it acts up, if it stays 12.5v or higher then do the same thing to the ground wires into the ecm should at all times have close to zero volts, any voltage would indicate a short inside the ecm.

 

[Salvooch]

Where are you located?

Northern VA.

I'll try to get to that this weekend - wish I was better with electrical work. Anything less than 12.4 on ecm pwr and it's the charging system? VR? Had the VR about 2yrs back.

Thanks!

 

[Salvooch]

Need to probe the power wire to the pcm while running and watch what the voltage is when it acts up, if it stays 12.5v or higher then do the same thing to the ground wires into the ecm should at all times have close to zero volts, any voltage would indicate a short inside the ecm.

I'm not the best w/ electrical stuff, so was hoping some people might be able to provide a little more info on how to test it this...

For the positive lead test, I probe ECM power in, and hook onto the pos terminal to see if there's a voltage drop? And this means my charging system is bad?

For the ground test, I probe ground on the ECM and probe onto the negative battery terminal to see if any voltage dumps to ground? This means a bad ECM?

Is that right? Sorry, but just want to be sure and not mess anything up! Thanks

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Not exactly. Im not in a position to do a long write up. Ill try to get you a detailed write up and some pictures off my x1 to help out

 

[Salvooch]

Thanks. I appreciate it!

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Salvooch, sent you a message. I have some pictures and interesting diagnostic info. Made me discover an issue with my own X1 and Im wondering if you have the same

 

[Salvooch]

VR on order...

So, JIC anyone is having a similar problem (bike surging, cutting off on the road, popping and jumping, throwing almost every single CEL code, TPS reset fixes for about 3-5mins then problem persists, needs constant throttle to run at all...). Thru emails w/ crash, did some checking on the ECM and charging system. Here's what I did that drove me to ordering a new VR:

First, I check the battery. My voltage before starting was around 12.18. I turn the key on and flip the kill switch on, it drops to about 11.85. Bike starts up like normal, meaning no CEL and needing a little throttle to start, then starts going into its fits and wanting to shut off unless I keep a little throttle on. I adjust the throttle screw up a little to get the bike idling at about 1000rpm so I can work the meter (bike still runs rough and the CEL is still on at this point). I restart the bike and now at least don't have to hold the throttle open a little to keep at idle, voltage doesn't climb above 12.1 after start. So, it never gets anywhere near 13+ volts while at idle.

Second, I back-pin (i.e., run a sharpened paper clip up) the grey wire connx and check voltage to the ECM - before start its at 11.37 and stays around 11.3 after start. So, about 1volt below the battery reading at any point, before or after start.

(FFWD about a week due to crazy work hours...) Third, I warm the bike (still rough and CEL on) then open the stator/VR connx and hook into the stator leads. At idle (about 1000rpm) and warm, it was between 17-20 vac. I rev up to about 2000rpm and get 35-40 vac. Rev up to about 3000rpm, 58-65 vac. So, sounds like my stator is fine.

So, if the battery is checking out though not increasing to 13volts after idle, the ECM is seeing power (albeit a little low), and the stator is checking out, that leaves the VR.

As a side note (so, fourth step, I guess), I get a load tester to verify the charging system and validate the battery reading (same-same). I start the bike and check under load, barely drops to the top of the 'YELLOW' region, but not too worried. I start the bike get it to a warm idle, hook up the tester, give a little throttle and the reading drops to 'BAD' each time I give it gas. So, from earlier testing, I'm still coming to the VR gone bad.

If anyone has addn'l input, glad to hear it.

 

[Salvooch]

Hey all, had to move and new job doesn't give me much time to ride or work on the bike, so haven't been on here in a while. But, just in case anyone else is having crazy electrical issues where they one-by-one replace sensors and bike works intermittently, then runs like crap again, I wanted to post how this was resolved...

I finally loaded my X1 into the truck bed and took it down to an indy shop here in NoVa area with a good Buell tech... A day later and they confirmed it was a bad ECM. After they replaced it, ran with no problems. They didnt reflash the ECM to a race map so it isn't taking full advantage of what it's capable of, but it runs well.

Good amount of cash and downtime, but it's back on the road. Thanks to all that helped in the past.

 

[John Hession]

Did you ever get this figured out? Sounds like a bad ground. Let me know. I know this is years ago but having similar problems now.

 

[Salvooch]

Did you ever get this figured out? Sounds like a bad ground. Let me know. I know this is years ago but having similar problems now.

Yeah - it was a bad ECM. Once that was changed out, it's been back on the road.

I burned some serious time and treasure on this... I changed out all the sensors, VR, plugs, wires, even fuses... I read thru the maint manual and it kept pointing back to the ECM, but every shop said that usually isn't the source of the problem but weren't able to posID the issue... The last shop I eventually got it to had a great tech that diagnosed the ECM after one afternoon of checking it over!