Any tips on the process of replacing the Old/malfunctioning ECM on a 2010 RS with a New ECM?

[WisconsinDavid]

I now have the Megatech license for BUDS and will be looking further into my 2010 RS that is firing on only 1 cylinder. New plugs, wires, coil, so I have found a few that had their ECM quit around the same mileage (24k). I have a salvage ECM to replace the hopefully malfunctioning one. Has anyone used BUDS to clone/replace an ECM on an older Spyder? Are there any tips on things to do in the process?

So far, I have found it is important (I think) to save the info and VIN and Engine #. But, if I save the file from the original ECM, will that be able to have that information rewritten when the one to be cloned is in place? I only found a video about a Can Am ECM being replaced on a Can Am Maverick UTV. Thanks for anyone who has some guidance to share. I sure would like to get old blue running again, and not have to settle for salvaging her.

 

[DickB]

The Service Manual gives detailed instructions for doing this. Do you have one?

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Yes... I didn't see a section detailing it in the manual.
I've had the ECM in and out, but the new ECM needed programming, so I bought the bullet and got the full BUDS set up.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

I think you gave me info on the manual. I bought it and downloaded it. However, since then, I've had a computer crash (actually 2) but my buddy has a copy I made on a USB stick, only he lives a few hours away. I had looked for an ECM specific procedure, but I didn't find one in that document. Maybe I missed it, but I searched several times.

 

[DickB]

In a later manual (2014) there are several pages of instructions:

 

[WisconsinDavid]

In a later manual (2014) there are several pages of instructions:

View attachment 248776

Thanks. I will look before we start this week. Appreciate the help from everyone

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Have been exploring more with the ECM issue of this early gen Spyder RS. I think I'm pretty screwed if the original ECM cannot be revived by BUDS/Megatech, as the salvage ECM cannot be tied to the 1st gen DESS system of the bike! Short of finding a new lock, installing it, and then finding a dealer with the old "red key" to be able to connect it to the ECM, I am probably on the glide path to selling the Spyder as a parts bike, which with 25k on the odometer is a really sad thing. Any other advice is welcome. I have a buddy who is an Indian electrical engineer coming down to the area on Friday and we'll be tapping into the system with BUDS after cleaning the contacts on the original ECM and giving it a last go.

 

[DickB]

Why do you say that the salvage ECM cannot be tied to your existing DESS module? (I don't know if it can or can't.) Is there a way to set a DESS module to programming mode using BUDS?

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Not sure, Dick. But from what I've read, the first gen DESS is programmed separate from BUDS/ECM and was done using the ignition lock/keys and a dealer red key to activate it when the first key was inserted to program. From what I've also read, it sounds as though most dealers don't have that capability any longer as it was made obsolete by the newer DESS systems and they no longer serve the older model years. I will report back after we give it a whirl this week.

 

[DickB]

Yes, my thinking is that the DESS is indeed a separate entity, so if you are using your existing keys and DESS unaltered it might work. But one test is worth a thousand guesses.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

It worked! The original ECM was trash (as I thought). Swapped to the used ECM that I had purchased, let BUDS work its magic reworking the new ECM and marrying it to the cluster. A short process, and "Old Blue" is running on two cylinders again. It will be nice not to orphan it as a parts machine, but offer it for sale to be enjoyed going forward. Thanks guys for all the help along the way since this happened last summer. A Spyder with new wires/plugs, coils, and brain is hopefully going to be given a new home.

 

[DickB]

Great news. Nice job.

 

[flash2002]

How can I tell if a starting problem is caused by the ECM?

 

[WisconsinDavid]

I started with plugs and wires on an older machine; as many have said it can be that. The stock wires are not great, BajaRon's are. He offers a great set with wire/plugs. Even if that isn't the problem, it is a great improvement. Check that there is spark on both wires. The ECM out threw a code that said one cylinder was not firing. If you do surgery, be ready to swear a bunch getting at the buried cylinder under the airbox. You will have a good chance to wipe out the airbox and put in a new air filter while you are in there. On mine, I traced the lack of spark back to the ECM and confirmed that with the BUDS hookup. A working ECM fixed it. If you have that problem (not common), make sure the ECM you buy is from the same year and model of your spyder. Mine was a 2010 RS SM5 and I found that ECM on Ebay. It is not cheap, but the dealer prices will make it look cheap. You will also need access to BUDS in order to marry the ECM to the bike's cluster.