HELP! Buell dies at idle and lack of power in high rpms

[lively13]

2009 BUELL 1125CR
Okay so here my PROBLEMS... First thing, the bike is not stock (HMF SLIP ON, K&N INTAKE, POWER COMMANDER WITH PRE-LOADED MAP INSTALLED FOR SETUP). Whats going on is this:

- The bike i stalling at lights, stop signs, you name it... unless i hold the throttle to give it a little extra. It had been doing this before the mods but has gotten progressively worse. Sometimes when its cold it wont die until warmed up however its died at idle when cold before too.

- Bike has a loss of power but only in high rpms, about 7K+ , It was not doing this until the mods. (The map installed on the PC-V is for the exact setup im using)

- Bike backfires during deceleration ONLY and have repaired the exhaust leak i had after installing the slip-on

 

[Tork]

I'm not dissing the Power Commander. Never used it. But I can't recall ever reading or hearing a positive account from anyone who has used a PC setup, nor have I seen any dyno charts showing positive gains (actual user dyno results, not a marketing ad). From what I've read about them, piggyback systems like the PC can only subtract fuel, not add, which limits their utility. I could be wrong. Maybe a forum member with personal use experience can shed some positive light on this.

For the OP's issue, I'd remove the PC and go back to stock setup, including a reload of the stock maps to see if the situation improves. Even with the aftermarket intake and exhaust, it should still run better with stock mapping than what you're experiencing now.

 

[lively13]

Ive done what you suggested and ran without the PC while keeping the K&N and HMF still installed and it runs worse, lack of power in a wide range of rpms.

However with the setup the way it is now i do see an improvement up until i go into the higher rpms.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

TPS reset.

 

[Tork]

Crash- I would have instantly recommended a TPS reset if the OP's bike was DDFI-2 XB, but was reluctant to mention it due to it being an 1125 since I don't have any personal experience with the 1125 platform, and Lively13 didn't say he'd messed with his ECM maps (he only mentioned his PC mapping). But his symptoms are definitely what you'd expect on a DDFI-2 model that needs a TPS reset, especially the combination of power loss across the rpm range and funky operation at idle. There's other suspects that could cause those symptoms (intake leak), but a TPS reset is non-invasive, requires no tools or software (for the 1125) and costs nothing.

For Lively13 - If you don't have a factory manual, you'll find the TPS reset procedure for your 1125 via a quick search of the board. Otherwise, I'm sure one of our 1125 owners will post it up here for you. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress so that it might help someone else.

 

[Cooter]

The symptoms sound lean to me.

+2 on the TPS re-set. I would also leave the PC off until you get it figured out. FYI the stock ECM runs 'lean' too, adding a K&N and pipe will worsen the problem, so don't expect it to run perfectly like that.
"lack of power"? Is it drastic? Like, not accelerating at all? Popping, sputtering, or just seems slow to you? Have you done any other tests like fuel pressure? Even a weak charging system will give you a mis-fire.

{quote}
piggyback systems like the PC can only subtract fuel, not add, which limits their utility
{/quote}

I don't think that's true. Most of those piggyback systems (I'm familiar with the Dobeck) simply add injector dwell (for more fuel) and advance the timing (thats why they require high octane only).
It's the same thing you are doing with a ECM program, the difference is you have better finite control of those adjustments with the ECM program= better tuning.

With the Dobeck, you set a percentage increase (or decrease) at 4 parts of the fuel map, and it can be fine tuned.

The Power Commander does the same thing, but you are depending on their unadjustable 'tune' to work in a variety of aftermarket part combos.

 

[lively13]

Sorry for confusion, I didn't mess with the ECM at all being that I wouldn't even know how. I only did the mapping on the PC-V. I just read how to enter diagnostic mode and this is what I came up with:

BTW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON BUT STILL HAVE CODES...

U0001- Comm error

P0122 TPS error (live data shows it at 2% .4v closed and 100% 4v open) also I believe the PC-V connects to the TPS .

B1005 Low fuel sys error

P0134 FRT 02 (disconnected for PC-V)

P0154 Rear 02 (disconnected for PC-V)

Please help, sorry if I'm a noob.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Reset the TPS anyways. But remove the PC until problem is solved, take that out of the equation

 

[lively13]

Hey cooter,

The power loss in high rpms is like a hesitation and sputter likes its fighting for fuel. Let's say it was supposed to sound smooth like this "waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" it sounds like this " waaawaaawawawawaaa" lol sorry it's the best I can do without a video which I don't have.

 

[lively13]

You guys have mentioned that a bad charging system can have some effects on things... The battery light never comes on but while riding my voltage stays around 13-13.5 and at idle it It drops to 12.3-12.8.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

The charging system seems normal then.
A bad MAP sensor or Baro sensor could cause some issues, has the intake solenoid been removed yet?
Really limited on info to diagnose it, still gonna push for the TPS reset and remove the PC and ride it to see what the air fuel value does.

 

[lively13]

I've done the reset procedure a few times by opening a closing the throttle 3 times in run. How do u know if it reset or not? Should I clean the map or baro? To be honest I don't know where the map sensor is. And I have not removed the intake solenoid... Why would you suggest that I do that? I will remove the PC tomorrow and go for a run but last time I did that with the aftermarket exhausts and intake it ran like ****.

Quick question, would it throw all those codes because I have the PC plugged in being that the TPS runs through the PC and the O2 sensors are disconnected. So those codes really won't help me correct?

 

[Theycallmecrash]

The comm error code, ignore that, the TPS code may be something, the O2 codes are cause they are disconnected. You cant clean the MAP/Baro sensors but you can view their readings in diag mode.
Just cause it runs better on the power commander doesnt mean youre closer to a fixed problem, it will be easier to diagnose with the PC off and the worse it acts, the stock tune will run the exhaust and filter and the ECM will adjust eith the 02s connected somewhat, just wont see optimal performance. The air solenoid is an emissions thing and its been known to kill power when you wack the throttle wide open and leaves you thinking youre gonna die trying to pass a truck

 

[lively13]

https://youtu.be/vuaH7YC6P-8

I got a video up in diagnostic mode and showing the bad idle and it dying. (It usually does a lot fast than it does in the video)

 

[Theycallmecrash]

The AFV is extremely low, this means its beeb taking fuel away, a lot of it. Resetting the AFV would be a good start, and see where it goes to from there.
How many miles btw, and when was the last valve adjustment. If you had it done do you know the final measurements?

 

[lively13]

Sorry as I said I'm a noob, what does AFV stand for? Has not had a valve adjustment since I've had it. Bike has 7k miles

 

[lively13]

Okay I figured out what it mans but how do you reset it without going to dealer?

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Air Fuel Value. Its the global fuel trim for the cylibders

 

[lively13]

I have a laptop hooked to my power commander and it shows throttle percentage at 0 even when I go on the throttle with bike on or off.

 

[Cooter]

Sounds like a problem.