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Harley Davidson Touring: How to Reset the ECM

Resetting your ECM will get your bike out of limp mode and it is very easy to do. This won't fix whatever caused the issue, but it may help you get home, or to the dealer. Then you can solve the problem in safety and at leisure.

By Jeffrey Smith - February 5, 2016

This article applies to the Harley Davidson Touring (2000-2015).

If you find that your throttle just isn't responding and you can't get your RPMs over 2,000, your bike is in limp mode. If you have a short ride home or to the shop and you can do so safely, you should be able to get there with no ill effects. If you have a longer ride, you can follow this simple guide, get it out of limp mode and be on your way. As soon as possible afterwards though, you should get your bike checked over to find the reason why it went into limp mode in the first place. One of the more common reasons for limp mode are corroded or lose pins on the ECM itself, exasperated by rough or bumpy roads. Many people also believe that any modification made to the bike requires an ECM reset; however, this should not be the case. After a few cycles of starting and stopping, the ECM should learn your new setup on its own. In just a matter of minutes and virtually from anywhere, you can reset the ECM yourself by following these simple steps.

Harley Davidson Touring How to Reset ECM

Material Needed

  • Your ignition key

Step 1 – Park your bike somewhere safe and out of traffic

You will need to park your bike and shut it down. If you have to do this on the side of the road, please make sure you are safely and well away from traffic.

Figure 1. Shut your bike down and safely out of traffic.

Step 2 – Flip your kill switch to the "Run" position

Without starting your bike, flip your starter switch to the "Run" position.

Turn your starter switch to the "Run" or "On" position
Figure 2. Turn your starter switch to the "Run" or "On" position.

Step 3 – Insert your key into the ignition

Insert your key into the ignition and turn it on as well as off four times, relatively quickly, with a second or so pause in each position. Turn the key on, pause, off, pause, on, pause, off, pause, on, pause, off, pause, on, pause, off. Your ECM is now reset.

Insert your key into the ignition and turn it on and off four times
Figure 3. Insert your key into the ignition and turn it on and off four times.

Step 4 – Start your bike and ride it home or to a shop

After your ECM is reset from limp mode, turn the key back to the on position and start her up. Your ride should be back to normal, at least for the next several miles. The conditions that caused your limp mode issue are still present. Do not be surprised if it falls back into limp mode after several miles. Be sure to have your bike thoroughly checked over to find the cause of limp mode and have it addressed.

Corrosion, rust or loose pins in the ECM itself may be the reason for limp mode
Figure 4. Corrosion, rust or loose pins in the ECM itself may be the reason for limp mode.

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