Ford and GM started doing this several years ago on their diesel engines. They voided warranties over exhaust systems, air filters, and tuners. The owner had to take them to court to get protection of the MM act. In some cases the dealers had installed the accessories and then another dealer denied warranty and entered the vin into the computer networks.

 

If I were denied warranty coverage by HD because I installed an aftermarket part like a PCIII on my bike, its easy - I become a Victory fan.

This debate has gone on and on both about diesel trucks and motorcycles and even ATV's for years. I own a Dodge Cummins, a Honda Shadow, a Harley RK, a Honda Rancher ATV and a Kawasaki Brut Force ATV. I have asked the service managers at each of the dealers I bought the vehicles at and all of them have told me that for the most part the claim is unture. They can only void the warranty claim if they can prove the aftermarket part caused the actual failure - each stated that is easier said than done. I spoke personally with the owner of the Harley dealer I bought my RK at - he stated not hardly, if they sell it they cover it. So the debate goes on. I run a chip in my truck and ATV's, a PCIII on my RK, and after market jets and pipes on the Shadow.

 

They can tell by the marks made on the ecm plug/pins. Each time the plugs are r&r'd they scribe a mark. Im sure aftermarket pins are a tad different then the oem pins so the footprint is different. Seen Ford do this on the Cobras.

 

Lets say this is true. You blow your engine for whatever reason and try to claim warranty. The dealer sees you had a chip or pumped up the blower or turbo, exhaust or whatever, and it is evident. If I was the dealer I could either step up and force the charges on the factory warranty (in todays world manufacturers are near bankrupt) or I see the owner violated federal law by putting aftermarket performance parts on that caused the motor to blow. So I the dealer say void the warranty and let the owner sue the manufacturer. They usually have a bigger and better legal team then the average Joe can afford, so let him sue. Dealer gets out of paying for chit. End of story. Seen it happen. Most people dont realize any aftermarket performance violates federal and state emission laws. So whwn it comes to court you dont have a leg to stand on.

 

Although my bike is not under warranty at all anymore, just do what I have just done. Completely remove the factory ECM and replace it with a Zippers/Thundermax unit. Then if you have a warranty claim just reinstall the factory ECM.

 

My dealer has no problem with aftermarket tuners. Now if you modify them and harm your engine as a result, it is on you as it should be. But simply having them set to make your ride perform decent and run cooler, unless it directly did something to harm your bike, no problem at my dealership. In other words, if you have a tuner and your alternator fries, non issue. This is nothing new to them.

 

In fact....tune a GM truck or car right now. GM has become very proactive with this. It IS completely legal to void powertrain once ANY tuner has been used. A warranty is for the vehicle as it leaves the factory.

Plain and simple.

Thank the people with diesel trucks for getting this started, by the way.

 

You Better Read This: Customer goes to dealer to buy his new dream bike. Signs they’re name on the dotted line and then have the salesman look them in the eyes and say. "You must sign this waver, that if anyone but us the dealer, does any Performance Work on your motorcycle and anything happens, your warranty is void". This Is Unlawful For The Salesman To Say and I'd Make Them Put That Statement In Writing.

Let’s Get Started! Part 1 Warranty by the Manufacturer

I went to the dealer to get some help with my performance upgrades, that's when they told me if I don't get that Powercommander off my motorcycle that it will void my warranty! Then they tried to sell me their ECM Performance Tuner and said that it would not void my warranty! I asked what does that flag mean on their Tuner in their accessory catalog and the salesman said, "that's over looked by the factory if we install the tuner".



Now think about this for just a minute, how can your ECM controller void your warranty but there's will not. Get on the internet and look up the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C) and read for yourself why the Federal Government has passed laws to protect you the consumer from this kind of tactics. Now Remember upgrades are for off road use only in most cases. This is where you decide and the info is there for the consumer.

Understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975

Nearly everyone has heard about someone who has taken a motorcycle that has been modified with aftermarket parts to a dealer for warranty service, only to have the dealer refuse to cover the defective items. The dealer usually states that because of the aftermarket parts the warranty is void, without even attempting to determine whether the aftermarket part caused the problem. "This Is Illegal".

Motorcycle manufacturers are not allowed to void warranty just because aftermarket parts are on the motorcycle. To better understand this problem it is best to know the differences between the two types of new motorcycle warranties and the two type of emission warranties. I'm Going To Try to give you some helpful points that my make your riding an enjoyable experience instead of feeling like you just got shafted by a salesman. I will go over these in the next few weeks, so stay with me.



Part 2

When a Motorcycle is purchased new and the owner is protected against the faults that may occur by an expressed warranty - an offer by the manufacturer to assume the responsibility for problems with predetermined parts during a stated period of time. Beyond the expressed warranty, the motorcycle manufacturer is often held responsible for further implied warranties. these state that a manufactured product should meet certain standards. However in both cases, the mere presence of aftermarket parts doesn't void the warranty. Dealers also try to sale Extended Warranty Plans which are mere Insurance Service Plans and should not be stated other wise. These Extended Service Plans can be used at any motorcycle repair shop, they are not factory warranties and you don't have to go to a dealer for repairs. Don't let a salesman use these unethical tactics to make you think otherwise. Some Insurance Extended Service Plans can be obtained even years after buying the motorcycle, just like the TV Extended Warranty Plan at department stores. These Extended Service Plans only go into effect after the stated period of time the manufacturer has given to their warranty! Tell you the truth I'd rather spend money on my motorcycle and have a good time, than worry about some Extended Service Plan that some dealer is making commission off of. If you feel you need a Extended Service Plan just remember that they can be used at just about any motorcycle shop in the country.

Next, I'll talk About Emission Warranties, So Stay With Me.



Part 3

There are also two emission warranties (defect and performance) required under the clean air act. The defect warranty requires the manufacturer to produce a motorcycle which, at the time of sale, is free of defects that would cause it to not meet the required emission levels for it's useful life as defined in the law. The performance warranty implies a motorcycle must maintain certain levels of emission performance over it's useful life. If the motorcycle fails to meet the performance warranty requirements, the manufacturer must make repairs at no cost to the owner, even if an aftermarket part is directly responsible for a warranty claim, the manufacturer cannot void the performance warranty. This protection is the result of a parts self- certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

In cases where such a failed aftermarket part is responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the consumer, but by law the new-motorcycle warranty is not voided. Always ask the services personnel or salesperson to prove that your warranty will be void in writing by them, not just a say so! Up grades in most cases are designed for off road use only. However there are many up grades that are designed for highway use and does not have to be just dealer installed only and will not void warranties because of aftermarket parts. These unethical tactics are used by many dealers to keep customers from finding quality repair shops.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. You can call toll free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

"More to help you understand some of your protection rights!" These are only reference not anything else. This article is only intended to help you understand more about your motorcycle and the fun you should be having even if you need repairs. All resposiblity is still on you to research and ask questions. I will do as much as I can to lead you down the right path. "So Stay With Me, Much More to Come."

 

Most of these "upgrades" are not designed for "Highway Use" and in fact, usually have a disclaimer just to the opposite. I can guarantee that will play against you in any claim.

I myself heard some good advice above in one of the posts. I'll not modify my ECM but will have the Dealer reflash it back to factory lean conditions. That should cover me with "slip ons" only....
I am not going to jerk with my warranty. I just don't have that much confidence in HD.

 

The Thundermax totally removes the factory ECM? I wonder if the new Power Commander V does the same?
It seems there are 2 ways to go here. Get a tuner where you totally remove the factory ECM. Or get another ECM, pull your factory and hold onto it, and hook up your tuner to the "extra" ECM. With either one you can pull the other stuff and put the factory ECM back on. So what if they can tell you disconnected the ECM. You could have disconnected it to remove the battery or something.