ECM swap
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: El Cajon, CA
ECM swap
Can you swap a known good ECM from a '02 Ultra to another '02 Ultra? (for testing/comparison) Mine idles poorly (surges/rough until about 2 grand no load or very light load. runs smooth if under load/accelerating.) Has been to the dealer, spent about $300, with no real answer. They changed intake gaskets, (I had just done that, they said they were fine!) They said it may be the "race" program that's installed. They could flash stock program in it for free, but it may run too lean. It has a "HD stage 2 kit" from back when it was 1-2yrs old. Then to put any other program it would be $150 minimum. My buddy has the same bike, but all stock. Can I swap ECM's just to see if it's any different/better?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,604
Likes: 4,045
From: Virginia
It can be done but you have to follow the manual to do the ECM password learn. Its not a simple plug and play process. Your buddy might have a problem with you messing with his ecm? Have you checked for codes for a bad sensor? Your crank position sensor might be going bad. I assume your bike was running fine as set up at some point and this problem happened recently.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: El Cajon, CA
Thanks for the replies.
I assume the dealer did a fault check during their diag work. Anything popping up would have been an opportunity to sell me something. Their ending comments were along the lines of "we can put the "stock" program back in, but with the work done before (stage 2 kit) it most likely will run poorly/lean. Don't know why it has a "race" program,to put anything else in, we will have to charge you. It's been this way since I bought it, maybe 3k miles ago. The guy I bought it from said it was the results of the stage 2 kit. On the road, it's not an issue, but around town/stop & go it's a nuisance. With wife on, she complains of the jerking back & forth, hurts her neck (she wears a full coverage helmet, so that accentuates the jerking).
I assume the dealer did a fault check during their diag work. Anything popping up would have been an opportunity to sell me something. Their ending comments were along the lines of "we can put the "stock" program back in, but with the work done before (stage 2 kit) it most likely will run poorly/lean. Don't know why it has a "race" program,to put anything else in, we will have to charge you. It's been this way since I bought it, maybe 3k miles ago. The guy I bought it from said it was the results of the stage 2 kit. On the road, it's not an issue, but around town/stop & go it's a nuisance. With wife on, she complains of the jerking back & forth, hurts her neck (she wears a full coverage helmet, so that accentuates the jerking).
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Stage 2 is not that big a deal really, it's just pipes, air cleaner, cams and a tune.
So, do you know what components you have? Especially the cams. Next, since the dealer is saying you have a "race" map loaded is it safe to assume that you don't have a tuner? Something that you can load different maps with?
If you / dealer really think its the stage 2/tune then my suggestion is to find out what's in/on the bike and give one of the tuner companies a call, someone like fuel moto.
Other options might be to skip the dealer and find a good indy to try to diagnose your problem. Or consider a dyno tune. Or putting in a milder set of cams.
So, do you know what components you have? Especially the cams. Next, since the dealer is saying you have a "race" map loaded is it safe to assume that you don't have a tuner? Something that you can load different maps with?
If you / dealer really think its the stage 2/tune then my suggestion is to find out what's in/on the bike and give one of the tuner companies a call, someone like fuel moto.
Other options might be to skip the dealer and find a good indy to try to diagnose your problem. Or consider a dyno tune. Or putting in a milder set of cams.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,622
From: along the shore of Mishigami
I noticed after I did the 95"kit with cams on my 2002 TC 88 I had to keep the rpms up a little higher in traffic because of the same symptoms you are describing, a jerking and bucking in slower traffic. I think you have a carb and possibly a tach, bump up the idle a little bit to about 1000-1100 rpms. If it starts bucking down shift, see if that doesn't help. Just re- read your thread. What injection system do you have?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
How many miles on your plugs. I worked on a Softail a while bach that did the same thing. Had been to the dealership several times with no luck. I installed a new set of plugs and has ran fine ever since.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: El Cajon, CA
The pistons/cyls were also part of the"kit", I think it's now a 95". No, no tuner. Maybe I need to get one. Your rec is the fuel moto? I was also thinking about smaller cams, but I don't know if less overlap will give me too much compression & resulting detonation issues. Here in CA, the fuel is junk! Thanks for your opinions.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: El Cajon, CA
It's fuel injected.. the dealer said they set the idle up when they had it. It seems to be about 1000-1200 now. The needle varies alot due to the uneven idle!
It got new plugs when all the other work was done.
It got new plugs when all the other work was done.
