ECM Update Fixes Heat Problem!

[AZLife]

...at least I am being optimistic it did, or at the very least is getting our 2013 RT's one step closer to helping it a bit. At the dealer, they updated the ECM based off of the most recent Warranty Bulletin. Here are the before and after versions:

Before:
B.U.D.S. version: R3.4.2.3
BRP assembly number: 420666548

After:
B.U.D.S. version: R3.5.1.3
BRP assemply number: 420666646

What did I notice? Now granted it was a brisk 60 degree evening on my way home from the Dealership, but I could swear that I no longer had any more excessively hot to the touch Tupperware around the front of the seat on each side. It was actually cool to the touch. I searched and searched for a hot spot. Finally I felt very "minor" heat directly between the glove box and the seat, but it was nowhere near as bad as it usually is. I had a very experienced Spyder rider take it for a spin (mainly so I could test out his brand new 2014 RT-S with only 3 miles on it, but that's an entirely different posting) and he said it felt like it was behaving much "richer" than before.

I still had 5 bars while driving at city speeds and sitting at lights, but I truly didn't feel any heat like I use to. I admit, it could be my mind playing tricks on me and trying to convince myself that my Blue Recluse will be as cool (temperature cool that is) as a my riding partner's 2011 and 2014. The real test will come tomorrow when I get out in the 77 degree temperatures. But for now, I can at least report that there were no negative effects from the ECM update. If the ECM did adjust the "richness", I am anxious to see if I have the "sputtering" in 1st gear when I take off first thing in the morning when my engine is cold after sitting all night.

On a different note, whether the ECM update really worked or not, I'm ecstatic with the new fuel sending unit that was installed. Finally, my gas gauge now immediately hits the top bar of the digital fuel gauge after filling up the tank, rather than having to wait 5 minutes of driving before it would go to the top bar and stay there only for 6 miles before it dropped to the second bar from the top. After 16 miles, it's still showing FULL. After 5300 miles of quickly disappearing gas bars, I believe that problem has been fixed with a new pump module.

I'll report back regarding the ECM update within the next day or so, but would love to hear the results of others that may have had the new update done already?

[Chupaca]

glad to see some feed back on these changes. Hope your ryde in warmer weather confirms what you noticed this evening. Sure you are also happy with the properly functioning fuel gauge.. Let us know.. :ohyea:

[Jackspyder]

Hoping for the best!

[Dat Guy]

Anyone have any luck getting this update done in CARB states?

[stewartj239]

It will be interesting to see if you lose any MPG now that it is running richer. If it fixes the heat problem, then I would not care.

[stewartj239]

Anyone have any luck getting this update done in CARB states?

I thought I saw somewhere that NY is a CARB state, but I was at the dealer two days ago and they said that they can put the ECM update on my bike, so you may want to just check with the dealer and see what they say.

[Bob Denman]

initial report looks good... :thumbup:
EXCELLENT news!! :yes:
Now; go put the whip to your baby, and give us a long-term report... :2thumbs:

[jcthorne]

I agree the ECM update helps, but, it does NOT fix the whole problem. The exhaust still badly heats the tank and the fumes are still bad and dangerous.

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Have you ridden a bike yet with the updates? What are you basing this opinion on? :dontknow:

[rnet]

I went threw the ECU updates twice with a snowmobile and the reason it takes so long to get the fix, is that it must get approved by the government agencies to make sure the update meets emissions requirements. Now, nobody ever complained about the heat issue, however the extra underhood heat was causing other problems. I remember seeing the silencer glowing red at night. Now what makes everyone think they went richer on the fuel ratio?

[RBS66]

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to reading more after you ride in hotter weather today. I haven't had mine done yet the weather and the roads have a lot of salt on them. Can't wait to have it done.

[stevedfive]

CARB - California Air Resources Board. Only one CARB state.

[NetJunkie]

CARB - California Air Resources Board. Only one CARB state.

Other states use their guidelines as well..so there is more than one.

States adopting the California standards include Arizona (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona)(2012 model year),[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_emission_standards#cite_note-1) Connecticut (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut), Maine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine), Maryland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland), Massachusetts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts), New Jersey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey), New Mexico (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico) (2011 model year), New York (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York), Oregon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon),Pennsylvania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania), Rhode Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island), Vermont (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont), and Washington (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(U.S._state)), as well as the District of Columbia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.).[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_emission_standards#cite_note-Reuters20090630-2)[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_emission_standards#cite_note-3) Such states are frequently referred to as "CARB states" in automotive discussions because the regulations are defined by the California Air Resources Board (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Air_Resources_Board).

[SNOOPY]

Was the fuel sending unit part of an update or recall, or just a customer complaint type fix?

[stevedfive]

Wow! Didn't know that, thank you. Well then, welcome to the California party. Kook aid is on the table.

[Pirate looks at --]

So then this is not available to CA?

[Bob Denman]

Most likely; they haven't approved it yet... if ever! :shocked:

[3 Wheel Addict]

My dealer told me that ALL 13 spyders are CARB compliant. So does this mean that after the update non-CARB state bikes will not be CARB compliant anymore?

[Spyder Tony]

Great to hear...mine (well, my girlfriends) is going in the shop in a little over a week for the updates. I hope to have positive news to report back as well!!!

[flamingobabe]

The dealer just picked up the Spyder...hoping the ECM flash helps...I've been running really lean.....

[jcthorne]

:shocked: Have you ridden a bike yet with the updates? What are you basing this opinion on? :dontknow:

Yes, Louise new RT-S has the update.

[Jeriatric]

The dealer just picked up the Spyder...hoping the ECM flash helps...I've been running really lean.....

FB, you are lean but, not really lean. :rolleyes: :joke: :yikes:

[Bob Denman]

Yes, Louise new RT-S has the update.
And what is it doing for her bike? :dontknow:

Or... What was her bike doing, before the update was installed?

[Spiderwoman]

Similar heat problems since new 2012 RS picked up from dealer last May. Already tried all the fixes that normally worked for heat problems. Anyone know whether this new ECM flash will work for the 2012RS?

[cuznjohn]

Similar heat problems since new 2012 RS picked up from dealer last May. Already tried all the fixes that normally worked for heat problems. Anyone know whether this new ECM flash will work for the 2012RS?

i would drop BRP a e mail on that question, from what i understand it is for the 13 only

[Jeriatric]

Similar heat problems since new 2012 RS picked up from dealer last May. Already tried all the fixes that normally worked for heat problems. Anyone know whether this new ECM flash will work for the 2012RS?

It is a '13 only update. Sorry. :(

[Mets79ST2013]

Before I start to jump up and down I will ride my bike when is 80, I'm taking my bike on Friday to the dealer to get this fix done and I will take it for at least a 2 hour ride, is great that you are not feeling any heat coming from the bike..

[cuznjohn]

Before I start to jump up and down I will ride my bike when is 80, I'm taking my bike on Friday to the dealer to get this fix done and I will take it for at least a 2 hour ride, is great that you are not feeling any heat coming from the bike..

base does your dealer have the fuse box covers yet, i told my dealer to order them so i can get everything done at one time

[Mets79ST2013]

Not sure but thanks for the question I'm calling now to make sure they do, thanks

[Spiderwoman]

It is a '13 only update. Sorry. :(

Thanks for info

[AZLife]

It will be interesting to see if you lose any MPG now that it is running richer. If it fixes the heat problem, then I would not care.

I was barely getting 28 mpg as it is. I would hate for it to get worse. Mmmm, heat or better mileage, that's a tough one :(

[AZLife]

Was the fuel sending unit part of an update or recall, or just a customer complaint type fix?

Just a totally different issue that has been haunting me. Think that is fixed now. It was frustrating, but not serious. Warranty covered it. Thank God for my warranty!

[AZLife]

I agree the ECM update helps, but, it does NOT fix the whole problem. The exhaust still badly heats the tank and the fumes are still bad and dangerous.

Well, not worried anymore about the dangerous fumes anymore. Other ways to resolve that ;)

[jcthorne]

And what is it doing for her bike? :dontknow:

Or... What was her bike doing, before the update was installed?

Never drove her bike before the update. It was installed as part of dealer prep for new sale. But I can tell you the exhaust heat on the tank causing significant gas fume release is NOT solved.

[AZLife]

base does your dealer have the fuse box covers yet, i told my dealer to order them so i can get everything done at one time

They did just the ECM update yesterday on mine, and will be calling BRP today to find out if they are warrantied for my 2013 RTS as it wasn't showing up yet on my master file. Will know later and will get back to you all.

[den1953]

And I do mean big if here. If this retrofit remedies the heat problem on the 2013 Spyders, will it be done to all the unsold ones still sitting in dealer showrooms? That might make a heavily discounted 2013 more palatable to purchase. I understand that not all 2013s have this issue, but why would someone play what might be like "russian roulette" on the chance that he might get a bad one? Seems to me doing this to all the unsold ones would just be the right thing to do.

[jcthorne]

The ECM update and fuse box sealing updates apply to ALL 2013 RT and ST models. Yes the updates are applied as part of the assembly and make ready process. There is no need to check with BRP, just ask the dealer to get the parts and do it. Parts availability for the fuse boxes has been the problem so far. Have not seen any become available yet and many dealers do not want to do this piecemeal as they do not get paid for doing part of the job.

[SNOOPY]

Just a totally different issue that has been haunting me. Think that is fixed now. It was frustrating, but not serious. Warranty covered it. Thank God for my warranty!

Thanks, good info to know in case things happen.

[AZLife]

Took a 30 minute drive at 73 degree temperature and there are definite locations on my Spyder that are not as hot as they usually are. I think I still had a little puttering as usual upon take off with a cold engine. I'll take a longer drive later, but wanted to provide this update for those inquiring minds. I'm not totally convinced yet, but feeling pretty good about it.

825078250882509

[SNOOPY]

You suck, it's freezing here.



J/K roflmao



Hope your heat problem is to the point of "livable" :thumbup:

[ARtraveler]

Hopefully the update will bring good news as the temps start heading upwards. :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

[AZLife]

You suck, it's freezing here.



J/K roflmao



Hope your heat problem is to the point of "livable" :thumbup:

LOL. I know how you feel. It was freezing on my way home too. Anything under 80 and I'm miserable. 60 is just way too cold! Need to find a warmer State!

i haven't had a summer yet in Arizona with my 2013 so I'm kind of not looking to the possible heat problems everybody talks of. I would love to be out riding in 105 degree temps, just hope my Blue Recluse won't mind too much :pray:

[SNOOPY]

LOL. I know how you feel. It was freezing on my way home too. Anything under 80 and I'm miserable. 60 is just way too cold! Need to find a warmer State!

i haven't had a summer yet in Arizona with my 2013 so I'm kind of not looking to the possible heat problems everybody talks of. I would love to be out riding in 105 degree temps, just hope my Blue Recluse won't mind too much :pray:


Seems the the older I get the warmer my body likes. I've done all the cold I needed in my life when I was into extreme off-roading in my younger days. Lol

.

[Bob Denman]

Took a 30 minute drive at 73 degree temperature and there are definite locations on my Spyder that are not as hot as they usually are. I think I still had a little puttering as usual upon take off with a cold engine. I'll take a longer drive later, but wanted to provide this update for those inquiring minds. I'm not totally convinced yet, but feeling pretty good about it.

825078250882509
Glad to hear that there may have been some positive movement... :thumbup: :yes::ohyea::yes:

LOL. I know how you feel. It was freezing on my way home too. Anything under 80 and I'm miserable. 60 is just way too cold! Need to find a warmer State!

:shocked: It's 8 degrees here right now... :yikes:

[Mets79ST2013]

Ok, I drop my bike at the dealer this morning to get the new fix for the heat issues, I do hope it work's but man it was brrrrrr this morning but when I got to the dealer I call the shop manager and few of the mechanics to touch my bike, they told me the bike was to hot you can boil water on it, remember at 8am this morning it was 18 outside.

[3 Wheel Addict]

Ok, I drop my bike at the dealer this morning to get the new fix for the heat issues, I do hope it work's but man it was brrrrrr this morning but when I got to the dealer I call the shop manager and few of the mechanics to touch my bike, they told me the bike was to hot you can boil water on it, remember at 8am this morning it was 18 outside.

Let us know how the "repair" goes with the heat problems..........