Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
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Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
I've had the Thundermax w/AutoTune on my '08 Softail Custom for about 1-1/2 months. On three occurances, my check engine light has come on. Two of the times were while I was at the Fall Rally in Myrtle Beach, and the other time was just this past weekend during a Toys For Tots ride. The first time it happened, I was pulling into the parking lot at the Harley dealer in Myrtle. I went right inside and talked to the service guys. They checked the code and told me it was just a communication problem and that there was no real issue. It did it again later in the day as I was pulling into another parking lot. This last time, I was pulling in the parking lot at our local dealer after the Toys For Tots ride. All three times I was in stop-and-go traffic. After the bike is parked for a little while and it cools down, the check engine light goes off. So my guess is that the bike is overheating. I never had that problem while the bike had the stock ecm. But maybe I was never in stop-and-go traffic while the bike was stock either. I can't remember. Is anyone else having similar issues with the Thundermax or even with the stock ecm? I'm planning on sending Zippers an email asking them what the problem is.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 3
RE: Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
READ THE MANUAL. It tells you quite clearly that when the check engine light comes on your head temperature has reached a point of danger. It's default setting is usually in the 320 degree range.
Thread Starter
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Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
RE: Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
ORIGINAL: Dinger
I see you have an air cleaner. Are you running a tuner? SERT, V&H Fuel Pak or Dynojet Power Commander?
Have you had bike dyno'd and your tuner remapped for your mods?
I see you have an air cleaner. Are you running a tuner? SERT, V&H Fuel Pak or Dynojet Power Commander?
Have you had bike dyno'd and your tuner remapped for your mods?
Thread Starter
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Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
RE: Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
ORIGINAL: bdavis385
READ THE MANUAL. It tells you quite clearly that when the check engine light comes on your head temperature has reached a point of danger. It's default setting is usually in the 320 degree range.
READ THE MANUAL. It tells you quite clearly that when the check engine light comes on your head temperature has reached a point of danger. It's default setting is usually in the 320 degree range.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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RE: Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
Then I would get rid of it immediately and get a SERT, Power commander or Fuel Pak.
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Thread Starter
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Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
RE: Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
I just called Thundermax tech support. The guy was very helpful. He told me that was a feature built into the Thundermax to let the rider know the bike is overheating (temp reaching 350*). He said a stock ecm will not do that. He said a stock ecm will "let you just sit there and melt" without telling you. I figured the problem was heat related since it has only done it in stop-and-go situations (bike week twice and toy run once). Luckily, the light has only come on as I'm pulling into a parking lot and I'm able to shut it down quickly.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 492
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From:
RE: Thundermax/Check Engine Light????
WOW!! Is that true???Does installing a Thundermax void the warrenty? I've got an extended 5 yr warrenty w/ 4 years left on it. The last thing I want to do is mess with the extra coverage you pay dearly for. So...if this is true what are you guys recommending. I'm wanting to do a stage one upgrade and was looking HARD at the T'Max. Sorry to hear about your overheating problems, I thought one of the reasons for doing the stage one was to help with the cooling. Why didn't that happen in your case? I have a temp gauge in my oil dip stick and mine usually runs around 210-230, every now and then it will hit 250... 300 plus seems awful hot. I wish you the best and keep us posted. I was at bike week also...that stop and go can really get'em hot. By the way...Nice looking bike you have there.