| Author |
Message |
    
Snowingonraton
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 07:14 am: | 
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Hello all. I wish my first post weren't a problem, but I guess it's what it took to get me to finally quit lurking and sign up here.
My bike had been running fairly poorly for a few weeks in the early fall this year, with a good bit of popping, some stalling, poor idling, etc. Then I went and had my first-ever getoff at speed, which meant the bike, which was largely undamaged, sat for a couple months.
I went out there to charge the battery and try to get it rolling again, and no go. It acted as though it were trying to start (turned over reasonably well) but could only manage two or three attempts before the battery was discharged. With the battery about 3 years old at this point, I bought a new battery to be on the safe side. Now, with new (fully charged) battery in, I tried to pull error codes (touching the two rightmost pins, etc.) I've done this in the past successfully with this bike to troubleshoot other problems, but now the bike does not react to this method. Instead, whether I'm touching the pins or not, the CEL goes through the following sequence every time I turn the key and turn on the ignition (not hitting the starter):
1 long light
1 second pause
2 slow flashes
1 second pause
1 slow flash
1 second pause
3 slow flashes
Solid light which stays on
I can't seem to find information about this code, if it is a code, nor can I convince it either by mashing both buttons on the dash (read about that on here somewhere) or connecting the two terminals to give me the normal rundown of errors.
I may just be out of my depth and need to take it in somewhere, but I've been so unhappy with the HD dealerships near town I'd really like to avoid that, or at least get it running and take it somewhere further afield that might be better. |
Bike_pilot
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 08:05 am: |
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Make sure the ECM isn't cracked. If you haven't relocated it, it probably is. The seat will hit the grey connector and will cause the connector on the ECM to crack away from the ECM itself Pull it out and have a close look for any cracks. If you find some, buy a new ECM, plug it in, relocate to somewhere safer and ride!
Other things I'd check would be ground connections - make sure they are clean, tight and grounded to the frame without paint or anything silly like that preventing good contact.
I don't know anything about codes, etc. |
Snowingonraton
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 09:53 am: |
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Thank you for this, Bike_Pilot. I had been worried some earlier problems on the bike might have been related to this, so I did move the ECM down into the slot ahead of the battery, giving it some protection from the seat. It may be I was too late. Is there a direct way to test whether the ECM is shot, or is that what the odd "2-1-3" code means, perhaps?
Again, I appreciate your help, and this may be the problem.
(Message edited by Snowingonraton on December 07, 2011) |
Akbuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 11:27 am: |
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OK, running poorly, then the get-off. So ...
Starting w/the '08 models, Buell went to 3 manuals- the parts manual, the service manual, and the electrical diagnostic manual (p/n 99493-08Y). Virtually all electrical stuff is in there.
There is no 213 trouble code that I can find.
Start w/a careful examination of the ECM and the connectors; looking for cracks, ect. And check your grounds.
Finally, check in the B.R.A.N. and see if there is a fellow Bueller in your area who may be able to help.
Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes, Dave |
Akbuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 11:47 am: |
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Further:
It wouldn't hurt to confirm that all of the fuses and relays are properly seated, and you might swap the relays around and see if there is any change.
FWIW, the GY wire (#9 pin in the black connector) should have batt voltage to it w/the ign on, and pins 8,16,24, and 33 are all grounds. Easy enough to unplug the connector and check, to confirm the ECM is getting power and is grounded. |
Snowingonraton
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 12:28 pm: |
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This is excellent, actionable advice, Akbuell. I will look over the ECM, and check the relays by swapping them around. I checked all the fuses last night, and replaced one that while not blown, seemed maybe a little corroded on the contacts.
I just had a look at the contacts for my area, and I will make contact with these folks if I don't see progress on my own in the next couple nights. Another brain on the scene wouldn't hurt.
I'll also have a look around for the diagnostic manual. I have the basic 2008 manual, but it hasn't been terribly helpful for this particular problem.
Thank you. |
Akbuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 04:30 pm: |
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For the manual(s), check with the sponsors here .... |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Thursday, December 08, 2011 - 04:35 am: |
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Don, I believe you can order all needed manuals from American Sport Bike. Good people and good sponsor. If I was you, I'd definitely invest in an electrical service manual.
Just curious, did you replace anything after laying your bike down? Were you able to drive it home after the crash? Was there anything electrical that you replaced? |
Snowingonraton
| | Posted on Thursday, December 08, 2011 - 02:17 pm: |
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Thanks to both of you. I'll be putting in a order to American Sport Bike for the mirrors I crunched and the handlebars I tweaked, and will put the book on the order as well. Probably some fresh iridium plugs as well, as these are surely fouled now from how many times I've tried and failed to start it.
As for replacements since the fall, none at all. I did ride it home, and in fact rode the bike a few times more that week, but was too frustrated with the poor performance and my physical discomfort (sprains and scrapes, nothing serious) and retreated to the car for a few months. It was still running poorly, but not notably worse than before the fall, on those last few rides.
I do wish someone else had ever heard of/seen the strange blinking I'm experiencing, and the lack of response when querying for error codes. I wouldn't be surprised if the electrical diagnostic manual had something to say about it, when it arrives. |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Thursday, December 08, 2011 - 08:13 pm: |
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If you tweeked the bars, chances are there is where your electrical gremlins lie. |
Snowingonraton
| | Posted on Friday, December 09, 2011 - 12:02 pm: |
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Two seasons - Now that is an interesting thought. I would not have considered that. Looking forward to seeing what if any light the diagnostic manual casts on this problem. |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Friday, December 09, 2011 - 01:53 pm: |
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This is an issue that I've been shouting from the rooftops over the years...wiring that is bow-string tight on anything that can be transported...is too tight to troubleshoot! And eventually causes electrical issues, whether physically damaged or from vibration.
There may be a discrete wire or more than one that has become un-locked at the connector due to this. Check every connector, both the male and female side, for un-locked wires. |
Snowingonraton
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2012 - 10:46 am: |
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Thank you to everyone for the help. In the end, the problem was fully resolved after taking the following steps:
1. Removed and cleaned the contacts on the coil. The front contact was very corroded, as the boot had slipped off and left it exposed to moisture during the few months of sitting after the accident.
2. New plugs, new wires.
3. New Erik Buell Racing ECM. It has completely changed the bike. All previous problems are gone (stalling, surging, failure to start, flat spot, failing to idle, even the speedometer has started working again). It was a broken ECM to begin with, but really this one is so much better than the original, I feel like I've just bought a new motorcycle.
The electrical diagnostic manual is indeed a very good book, and I'm happy to have it in my library for any future issues that crop up. |
Akbuell
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2012 - 01:58 pm: |
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Good on Ya!!! Glad you found the problem and were able to fix it. And Thanks Much for the update. Dave |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2012 - 06:38 pm: |
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Snow:
Make sure that your seat IS NOT contacting the new ECM.
ECM's have been cracked on the Ulysses over the years. |
Snowingonraton
| | Posted on Monday, February 06, 2012 - 11:07 am: |
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Two seasons -
I'm fairly certain that's exactly what happened. I've tucked the ECM down between the battery and the rear shock cowling, and put it in an old sock to buffer it against abuse and vibration. Does this sound wise? |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2012 - 12:32 am: |
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Just got off work...sorry for the delayed response.
Just make sure the sock thickness doesn't cause any pressure on the ECM once the seat is fully "seated".
Glad to hear you are back in business. |
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2008 XB12XT Not Starting, Odd CEL blinking