ECM Programming Information
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Philippines
ECM Programming Information
Thought I'd share some recently acquired knowledge.
I live in a country that does not have Harley Dealership support and owning a Harley Fuel Injected bike has always presented repair obstacles. We must do all our own wrenching. I’ve always been confident that I could trouble shoot and repair any EFI problems with the exception of the ECM. Over the past year, as a preventative maintenance practice, I’ve been replacing the components related to the EFI system on my 02 Fatboy and carry many of the components in my saddlebags for emergency roadside repairs. I have wanted a spare ECM but all research indicated that the ECM must be programed “Flashed” by a dealership and that the unit must be installed on the bike to do so. I’ve always challenged this perception.
All EFI components can be changed without the need for digital data transfer with the exception of the Turn Signal Module (TSM). When replacing the TSM, there is an electronic sequencing process that must be performed between the TSM and ECM. This process is multiple steps, takes about 30 minutes, requires a charger connected to the battery but No external computer device is needed. Once the process is completed, the TSM and ECM are “Married” to each other. I recently and successfully performed this process in my shop when replacing a faulty TSM on my bike. No Dealership involvement is required however the bike must of-course have a functional ECM.
In my 02 Softail Parts Manual, a replacement ECM is described as “Calibrated” meaning that it is sold pre-programed. I can purchase a new ECM, sequence it with the TSM and ride away. No Such Luck! Harley has stopped selling pre-programed ECM’s. A replacement ECM for my 02 is now sold without installed software. Like a computer without an operating system. A dealership must program the ECM while it is mounted on the bike then sequence it with the TSM.
I have however discovered a work-around. The company Dynojet, best known for their product the Power Commander, now produces the Power Vision tuner which I’m sure most of you are already familiar with. Unlike the Power Commander which is a piggyback device, the Power Vision re-programs the software within the ECM. I recently purchased a Power Vision and studied all the endless literature but was unsure as to how the unit changed the existing ECM software. My original perception was that the Power Vision up-dated the original software thereby changing its parameters. Contacting Dynojet recently and discussing this issue with their tech rep, I was informed that the Power Vision contained the entire software package (Operating System) required by the ECM, and that the Power Vision would “Flash” a new, Blank ECM. Problem solved! Install a new Blank ECM, flash it with the Power Vision, sequence it with the TSM and ride away.
I live in a country that does not have Harley Dealership support and owning a Harley Fuel Injected bike has always presented repair obstacles. We must do all our own wrenching. I’ve always been confident that I could trouble shoot and repair any EFI problems with the exception of the ECM. Over the past year, as a preventative maintenance practice, I’ve been replacing the components related to the EFI system on my 02 Fatboy and carry many of the components in my saddlebags for emergency roadside repairs. I have wanted a spare ECM but all research indicated that the ECM must be programed “Flashed” by a dealership and that the unit must be installed on the bike to do so. I’ve always challenged this perception.
All EFI components can be changed without the need for digital data transfer with the exception of the Turn Signal Module (TSM). When replacing the TSM, there is an electronic sequencing process that must be performed between the TSM and ECM. This process is multiple steps, takes about 30 minutes, requires a charger connected to the battery but No external computer device is needed. Once the process is completed, the TSM and ECM are “Married” to each other. I recently and successfully performed this process in my shop when replacing a faulty TSM on my bike. No Dealership involvement is required however the bike must of-course have a functional ECM.
In my 02 Softail Parts Manual, a replacement ECM is described as “Calibrated” meaning that it is sold pre-programed. I can purchase a new ECM, sequence it with the TSM and ride away. No Such Luck! Harley has stopped selling pre-programed ECM’s. A replacement ECM for my 02 is now sold without installed software. Like a computer without an operating system. A dealership must program the ECM while it is mounted on the bike then sequence it with the TSM.
I have however discovered a work-around. The company Dynojet, best known for their product the Power Commander, now produces the Power Vision tuner which I’m sure most of you are already familiar with. Unlike the Power Commander which is a piggyback device, the Power Vision re-programs the software within the ECM. I recently purchased a Power Vision and studied all the endless literature but was unsure as to how the unit changed the existing ECM software. My original perception was that the Power Vision up-dated the original software thereby changing its parameters. Contacting Dynojet recently and discussing this issue with their tech rep, I was informed that the Power Vision contained the entire software package (Operating System) required by the ECM, and that the Power Vision would “Flash” a new, Blank ECM. Problem solved! Install a new Blank ECM, flash it with the Power Vision, sequence it with the TSM and ride away.
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Tri Glide, RG3 & Freewheeler Models
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Feb 11, 2011 06:01 PM
