New ECM issue

I have today replaced the ECM with a brand new unit supplied by Fowlers using the bike VIN. The bike is a 2000 955i (Mk1 Shape).

This particular variant does not have a fan relay and my fan is always on, always. Long story short, it is controlled directly by the ECM and I'm pretty confident my original ECM is toast. I have researched all of this at length from several different sources.

Anyway, regardless of that, the new ECU appears to either be faulty or the wrong one. The bike does not prime the fuel pump and the ICV does not go through it's initial sequence either. Unsurprisingly it will not start. I plugged it in to Tune ECU and the ECU does not respond to the laptop at all - it will not connect. I tried at least 10 times using different ports on the computer and checking the connection, re-starting the laptop etc.

I re-fitted the old ECM to the bike and the fuel pump and ICV do what they're supposed to and it starts immediately and runs perfectly. I have previously read and re-mapped (for a new exhaust) this ECM with Tune ECU in the last three months with no issues.

I have re-checked the part on the Fowlers site and it does look correct and was ordered using the VIN. That said, some of the serial numbers on the front labels do differ but even so, I would still expect it to connect to Tune ECU even if it isn't the right module.

So it seems that I might have a faulty brand new unit, anyone have any thoughts?

 

I have found the issue with this now and its worth noting if you're looking at a new ECM.

The ECM will not work or connect to Tune ECU because it is in a "virgin state". So instead of just giving you a generic safe map (with relevant warnings) so you can take the bike to the local dealer or connect to ECU software, Triumph just make it so only a Franchised dealer can unlock it.

So for me that either means fitting it and hiring a van to get it to the dealer and a minimum of £45 to have it unlocked and mapped. Or fitting the old ECM, riding to the dealer and then paying them to swap ECM'S over and then unlocking & mapping. Either way it's at least another £100 on top of the £180 I've already paid.

I'm not impressed, there's no need for it and apparently it's something that the manufacturers have only started doing recently. Fowlers are going to see if they can unlock and map it without the bike but I won't hold my breath. So it looks like a return for a refund and a hunt for a used ECM.

 

Already have, as per my other thread;
http://www.thetriumphforum.co.uk/th...nection-cut-out-when-warm-fan-always-on.9168/
He wasn't able to help, the fan on mine is controlled not via a relay but directly by the ECU. Fowlers have taken the ECU back and will plug it in to another bike to unlock it before sending it back. Everything above is correct, it was supplied in a locked virgin state and can only be unlocked using Triumph equipment.

 

Yes, very and that is why I use them to be honest, I live a couple of hundred miles away from them.

They were pretty embarrassed and offered me a full refund straight away or to give them the opportunity to get a bike to plug it in to and unlock it and add the map I want FOC. I called back moments later to add a £7 part for my son's PW50 (to avoid postage charge as they could put it in with the ECU) and they said they would supply the part FOC for the inconvenience caused.

It's not their fault to be fair, they said it's something that only started happening lately and they are not happy about it as their core mail order business is the home mechanic and this new situation harms that significantly.

Previously, I have received Suzuki parts from them with poor quality paint (standard practice for Suzuki) and they offered a replacement, refund or a significant discount which is what I took as I was selling that bike anyway.

 

Small update, the bike they thought they could connect the new ECU to in order to unlock it was a different fitment. They should have a suitable bike early next week and I should have the unit back with me on Friday the 12th of May. That will be the first chance I have to fit it anyway, I'll update here with the results good or bad but I'm 85% sure it will work.

 

I got the unlocked, mapped ECU back over a week ago but just haven't had time to fit it. That should change by the end of this week and I'll post the results.

 

I finally got some time today to fit the new ECU and as I hoped and expected it has cured the problem. The fan does not come on, neither does the check engine light but the fan does kick in and out at the correct temperatures.

The only remaining thing to do with the ECU now is to plug it in to tune ECU and set the fan to come on at 85 degrees rather than 100 - I don't see why it is set so high as standard. That said, I might look in to how to fit a relay between the fan and the ECU to protect it as the fan uses a fair bit of current and being controlled directly by the ECU leaves it vulnerable, especially if the fan bearings ever dried up or seized. Anyway, it's finally fixed and as a bonus it came with the correct map for my new ridiculously loud high-level triumph carbon can.

So anyway, I rode the bike for only the second time in 15 months of owning it and I love it. It makes such a good road bike and goes like a train, very easy to ride fast. The back brake is appalling which I believe is standard spec but I'm not that bothered to be honest.

Today did remind me what a pain it is to work on though. It's not nearly as well thought out or designed as a Japanese bike from a point of view of stripping it down and building it up again. The mechanical bits are okay but with the exception of the tail piece it seems that nearly every plastic body part requires jiggery-pokery to get it on. On that note, does anyone know, do the fuel tanks swell more in the heat?

 

Yes, that's what I have done, the tank hasn't been on for weeks. What did you do with yours, wrestle it back on? Does it return to its original form?

 

I have other bikes too and so I may do something similar - it's a pain though. Presumably you use a fuel transfer pump?