| Author | Message | ||
     Pkman |
While I was trying to track down an off throttle popping (the plug on the throttle body is intact,)I noticed the actuator is not working. It has the cable pulled out all the time. The cable seems fine, because when I force the actuator close the cable retracts. When I do the start up test as per the shop manual, nothing happens. I am assuming, since the Erik Buell Racing race ECM supports the actuator, it would work the same way? Is there any fix for the actuator or do I have to replace it? | ||
| Jhallgren |
The older actuator's have plastic gears inside. Mine did the same thing as yours. I took it apart and found that the gears were stripped. When I bought the new one, the part number superseded to a new part number. Found out that they upgraded the gears inside. I tried repairing my old one first before I bought the new one but it didn't hold up. The new actuator has been working fine for the last year now. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Wow, That is very interesting. Anybody know when they changed the gears? I have an actuator stuck code that creeps up every now and then. Always thought it was soot build up related but perhaps it's gear related... or both. | ||
| Jhallgren |
It could be that the valve does have carbon build up and wont move. But if you have the older actuator, it will destroy the gears in no time. | ||
| Pkman |
Mine is an '06 so it probably has the plastic gears. 'guess I'll have to stop by the dealer. | ||
| Nobuell |
If the gears weren't stripped before, forcing the lever by hand could very well have strip the gears. Should never cycle the actuator by hand. Remove the cable from the actuator and verify the muffler valve by manually pulling on the cable. The valve actuator should be cycled electrically as described in the manual to verify operation. | ||
| Griffmeister |
There is an older thread here somewhere that says how to identify the old and new actuators. My '08 apparently has the old style but still working at 11K. Think the thread said the new ones came out on the later '08's. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
They share part numbers but one ends with AA and the other AAA I cannot recal which is the new one except that I would imagine you can only buy the new version at the dealer. The new version is also riveted shut and the old version has screws. | ||
| Gringo |
pacman, maybe youre wrong about the Erik Buell Racing supporting the actuator, mine doesnt. i got worried too and switched back to the stock one and it actuated. | ||
| Astroman7766 |
Does anyone have pics of the inside of their actuator? I believe mine has failed - I took it apart but dont see any damage inside...it does have the platic gears - I am going to try and fix this one before shelling out $165 for a new one if possible... | ||
| Ratbuell |
the plastic gear failure is, from my understanding, a 'missing teeth' failure. Put it together. Hook it back up to the wiring harness. Kill switch off. turn ignition on. cycle kill switch on-off-on. should cycle the motor through its travel. | ||
| Motorbike |
Take a look at the pics of mine in this thread. The plastic gears did not strip but a piece of plastic did deform, causing it to fail at 3,025 miles. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/584634.html?1280749677 I was not able to disassemble the new one to see the difference, but I wanted to!  | ||
| Pkman |
"pacman, maybe youre wrong about the Erik Buell Racing supporting the actuator, mine doesnt. i got worried too and switched back to the stock one and it actuated." Interesting. I just tried emailing Erik Buell Racing to find out how it's supposed to work. I'll pass on their response Thanks | ||
| Pkman |
FYI all... I received this reply from Erik Buell Racing: "The self test does not actuate it but it does work in normal function." I guess I'll have to go for a ride with out the airbox cover on...sounds cool with it off anyway.  | ||
| Astroman7766 |
Guys, Thanks for the replies. Ratbuell, I checked and it appears all teeth are there on the gears... Motorbike - that looks like exactly the same failure I had - that sucks that the part is made so cheaply - I see some actuators for sale on Fleabay, but I am not sure I will risk pissing away $30-$50 for a part that may be the old version. I am also concerned that the new part uses the same •••••• plastic on that part of the unit - the gears may be metal now, but if they still use plastic for the other part... | ||
| Ratbuell |
The Erik Buell Racing ECM actuates the valve in normal operation. It does NOT actuate the CEL if you unhook the motor or change to a valve-less muffler. (Not sure if that's a standard setup, or if you have to request it). Their ECM that I have in my '06 runs the valve just fine, no issues, great power. |
