Help! Anybody had this EFI problem?

[FLUFdriver]

I did a search but could not find anything related to my problem.

I had my bike remapped with the 05 map back in January. On the very first ride afterwards I had a flashing EFI light and some momentary rough running after wide open throttle acceleration. This only happened occasionally and I was planning on going to AF1 for a dyno session and EFI tweak after I got my Mototechno pipes so I figured we could work it out then.

Well, not only have I not received the pipes yet but now my EFI is really acting up. Now whenever I accelerate hard, or even after a while of just babying it, the bike starts to run really rich and loses a lot of power. I can barely maintain a steady speed. The EFI light is either flashing or steady, and the bike belches black smoke. After a while of this it seems as though the EFI goes into some sort of default mode, EFI and "1" appear where the clock should be and it runs better but not good. Enough to get me home without getting killed. I performed the "service" reset procedure just to see if I could reboot the computer for a possible fix but that made no difference.

I am just checking to see if anyone has had this type of EFI problem. Hoping that I could try the fix without spending a day getting my bike checked at the nearest reliable dealer which is about 180 miles away. (The local in town Aprilia dealer is a squid haven and their mechanics do not inspire much confidence.)

Anyone have previous experience with this or any ideas?

[bossbob]

could be a coil, or one of the sensors...... ask it

Lift teh seat, connect the two diagnostic wires together, turn on the ign BUT DO NOT START IT and then hold in both red buttons under teh clock for 10 seconds or so.

It will produce a fault code for the problem..... 35 is coil
DAMHIKIJKOK

Rab

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

ignore everything I said.....sniffing too much exhaust fumes.....I made a mistake

On a Futura/ CapoNord......you re-set (zero) the TPS from inside the ECU.....two ways to do this.....with TuneBoy software/cable or your dealer Axone diagnostic tool

I knew you could do it from the software internal side, but I also thought the Futura had a physical mechanical adjustment like the Milles.


Sorry, I was wrong......

[stonx]

FLUFdriver has a serious question. He asks.

2hr 6min later Ed @AF1 provides an educated diagnostic that may lead him to the solution.

This board is unbelievable.

paul

[FLUFdriver]

Originally posted by Ed / AF1 Racing
EFI code 1 is your TPS setting.....throttle position sensor.........

Thanks for the quick reply Ed. I did a search and couldn't find any info on adjusting the TPS. Is it something that can be explained quickly here or should I finally break down and go get a service manual?

[TR181]

My Futura's TPS doesn't have slotted mount holes like my Tuono did, I believe tps is set in the ecu on a Fut, init?

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

sorry, re-read my post.....

I'm sniffing too much exhaust fumes in the dyno room.....

[FLUFdriver]

mmmmmmmmmm, exhaust fumes

Thanks, guess I'll be limping over to Mototek since the problem appeared after they loaded the latest map.

I'll see you guys after I get my BEF system.

[FLUFdriver]

I think.

I just got back from Mototek. The all knowing Axone thingie says that the temp sensor is bad. (might explain why sometimes it ran right and sometimes it didn't)

Of course, I have to wait on the part to come in. They say one to two weeks but given Aprilia's notorious parts wait time, we'll see. I'm just going to put it in myself. Shouldn't bee too much hassle, its on the left side of the rear cylinder. I haven't pulled off the bodywork to see how obstructed it is so I hope I haven't bit off too much.

Hopefully my ECU isn't lying to the Axone so this will do the trick and allow me to fully appreciate the new 05 map as well as the BEF exhaust system.


PS: On a related note, can the Tuneboy program run the diagnostics on the ECU? I was thinking about what sort of hell it would be to troubleshoot a problem on this high tech ECU bike without the Axone (which can only be purchased and operated by a dealer). If Aprilia ever does go T.U. I would like to be able to fix my machine without blindly replacing parts and hoping they do the trick.

[Dan]

FlufDriver, I just reread your post. Take a look at the Starting problem thread that ends up being a battery thread. My bike acted similar to yours, and all it ended up being was a marginal battery. Check your voltages per the thread. Let me know here what you find.

Hope this helps.

[FLUFdriver]

Thanks for the input Dan. I will check my voltages. The battery is 6 months old and has been on a battery tender since new. Besides the diagnostics from the Axone tool pointing to the temp sensor, the mechanic also pointed out that the cooling fans run continuously (didn't notice when I was riding) so I'm fairly certain the temp sensor is shot. Maybe the battery could be a contributing factor so I'll check it out.

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

Originally posted by FLUFdriver
I think.

PS: On a related note, can the Tuneboy program run the diagnostics on the ECU? I was thinking about what sort of hell it would be to troubleshoot a problem on this high tech ECU bike without the Axone (which can only be purchased and operated by a dealer). If Aprilia ever does go T.U. I would like to be able to fix my machine without blindly replacing parts and hoping they do the trick.

yes it can, but your bike can also self-diagnose. Connect the diagnostic wires under the seat, and the dash will flash codes. A bad coolant temp sensor would be a code 21.

[bossbob]

hmmmmm ..........
Forgive my suspicious nature, however.
It was Ok till you went for a remap, it comes out a little rough, with a flashing EFI light. Diagnosis says a temp sensor "fault"
And the running has got worse ..........

A temp sensor is just a varying resistance to earth, as it heats up it changes its value and gives that value to the ECU.

So would a damaged cable, one trapped as they put the tank down, or maybe the red and white one beside the ECU on the left hand side, or in beside the air box as they put it together.

I'd do a visual on the wiring to make sure it isn't touching anything, especially if that something is hot.

JMHO

Rab

[Dan]

Originally posted by FLUFdriver
Thanks for the input Dan. I will check my voltages. The battery is 6 months old and has been on a battery tender since new. Besides the diagnostics from the Axone tool pointing to the temp sensor, the mechanic also pointed out that the cooling fans run continuously (didn't notice when I was riding) so I'm fairly certain the temp sensor is shot. Maybe the battery could be a contributing factor so I'll check it out.

The same as mine (Axone readout, that is), except importantly, the fans did not run continuously-- they did not come on at all. So, that major difference likely points to a different problem.

I sort of thought that my low battery did not have sufficient voltage to overcome whatever resistance there was at the coolant sensor to ground and transmit the proper signal to the ECU and / or to the fans.

Keep us posted...

[Hansb]

There are 2 thermistors on the engine. The one on the front cylinder(right side of the engine) is sendt to the right hand display. The one on the rear cylinder(left side of the engine) is sendt to the ECU. As far as I can see its the same type. Correct reading at 32 degrees is 5896 OHM, at 68 degrees 2500 OHM, at 104 degrees 1175 OHM, at 140 degrees 595,5 OHM, at 176 degrees 322,5 OHM, at 212 degrees 186,6 OHM. All values is + -10%.