Curious about the Magnetti Marelli...
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 20
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From: Kingston ont.
Curious about the Magnetti Marelli...
My 96 Electra Glide has the system and I have encountered no problems with it... But i have heard it has it's problems and I am curious as to what those are? I wanted to change the ECM unit to a newer one with the stage one upgrade and the bike wouldn't fire... Replaced the old one and the bike fired up... So can I change this with out witchcraft or voodoo? Vance and Hines already on the bike and a cam installed so curious what I can do next?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
You are right that it gets a lot of adverse comments, especially on the internet. However I suspect the vast majority of MM bikes are happily running without their owners realising they should be having problems! Much of the anti-MM stuff is because it is not as tunable as the more recent Delphi EFI the factory uses, so it is just bad-mouthing and not of any practical help.
We do have one or two MM experts, who will hopefully pass by soon. There are also compatible replacement systems available from S&S (VFI Module Kit) and HD themselves, which may be more adaptable. The S&S comes with software and you can view their instructions on their website. I suspect the HD is sold as Screamin Eagle.
We do have one or two MM experts, who will hopefully pass by soon. There are also compatible replacement systems available from S&S (VFI Module Kit) and HD themselves, which may be more adaptable. The S&S comes with software and you can view their instructions on their website. I suspect the HD is sold as Screamin Eagle.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,578
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From: On a Lake, not far from the Gulf
You should be able to switch out the ECM with a 97-98 model with no issues. If the bike won't fire with the new ECM then I would guess that the ECM is bad.
Typical issues with MM EFI usually deal with tuning. It seems that bikes with more modification have more issues. Simple Air Cleaner and Slip ons can usually be tuned with a fuel tuner like a Dyno Jet Power Commander.
There are a number of sensors that the EFI system relies on to function properly. Tracking down failures can be time consuming, but not impossible. The service manual provides thorough troubleshooting guides.
Typical issues with MM EFI usually deal with tuning. It seems that bikes with more modification have more issues. Simple Air Cleaner and Slip ons can usually be tuned with a fuel tuner like a Dyno Jet Power Commander.
There are a number of sensors that the EFI system relies on to function properly. Tracking down failures can be time consuming, but not impossible. The service manual provides thorough troubleshooting guides.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
From: The Great Southwest Desert
I removed my MM and put a CV carb on. The MM was problematic for me. Fuel economy and emissions were always all over the map and it never idled the same twice in a row. It was not tuneable in anyway. The bike runs smoother, is more reliable and repairable by anyone, anywhere. (Many dealers will not service an MM bike.) Ive sold the scanalyzer and breakout box. Will sell the rest of the unit soon. I'm much happier to be without it. The main reason I went carb is it was less than half the cost of upgrading to closed loop EFI system.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
If the Magnetti Marelli system is working....leave it alone. Don't adjust anything at all.
If something is not working right....it is just like any other EFI system. You just have to diagnose the problem. Utilize the check engine light if it were to come on for starters.
Typically with this system....air leaks are fairly common on higher mileage. The idle control motors don't seem to last as long as one would would think they should. The ETS (engine temp. sensor) which is screwed into the front head....can go bad and not setoff a check engine light. Strange things happen when that sensor goes bad. Hot idle and cold idle varies for some odd reason....however, this can be adjusted rather simply.
Most of the problems the Magnetti has had are owner induced much like the feedback carburetors of the mid 1980's.
If something is not working right....it is just like any other EFI system. You just have to diagnose the problem. Utilize the check engine light if it were to come on for starters.
Typically with this system....air leaks are fairly common on higher mileage. The idle control motors don't seem to last as long as one would would think they should. The ETS (engine temp. sensor) which is screwed into the front head....can go bad and not setoff a check engine light. Strange things happen when that sensor goes bad. Hot idle and cold idle varies for some odd reason....however, this can be adjusted rather simply.
Most of the problems the Magnetti has had are owner induced much like the feedback carburetors of the mid 1980's.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
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From: Ohio
These guys have it covered, many high mileage MM systems running but like anything, their are satanic problems that happen. I oversee repairs of EFI daily and familiar with it's properties but changed to a Mikuni for performance reasons
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
From: The Great Southwest Desert
Open loop fuel injection just is not a good idea. If it was, they wouldn't have spent the money to go closed loop. As it got tired, it became as user friendly as a Tillotson carb on a mountain ride.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Gulf Breeze, FL
The S&S VFI and the H-D unit are one and the same...S&S sells them to H-D. These are great additions to modified Evo's and allow the user to fine tune all areas of operation. Using one on my '97 Police and very satisfied. 
This is the area where the real problems begin...voltages/settings must be spot on or you will have a ragged running mess.
Some laptop screens of the software...
This is the area where the real problems begin...voltages/settings must be spot on or you will have a ragged running mess.
Some laptop screens of the software...
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
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From: Vermont
What number is your soft ware. I have a 55-5002 s&s ECM that i want to use on my 98 EVO but the soft ware only works with windows 98 /me/2000/XP i have non of those. Do you like your a lot? Customer support?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
You can download the latest software from S&S here... http://www.sscycle.com/software/protune/
I snagged a tune close to what I had from here and built on it... http://www.sscycle.com/software/protune/protune2.php
I have not used the customer support so can't really comment...lots of fellows around that can give good advice tho. The software is easy to navigate...like I mentioned before, the settings at the TB are the critical link. Btw, my ecm was an older unit and I had to purchase a serial/usb adapter.
Copied from the S&S site...
"The NEW ProTune II 3.3 software is compatible with 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems (WindowsŽ XPŽ SP2/VistaŽ/ 7). It offers two levels for tuning your S&S VFI (Variable Fuel Injection) Modules, basic level for general tuning and advanced level for detailed tuning. The basic level ProTune II is fairly simple, but has more capability then the original "EasyTune" software that was first supplied with VFI systems. The requirements of a specific tuning job and the tuner's level of skill should determine which level is used."
Last edited by rickss69; Mar 17, 2013 at 12:39 AM.