Making the most of your Tune ECU
Update! Android versions now available for download via the official TuneECU site here https://tuneecu.fr/ , You will need to install the apk file manually.
If you own a motorcycle which has fuel injection installed, you will probably have an Engine Control Unit (ECU) installed which controls and monitors various aspects of your motorcycle.
In the past the only way to analyse your ECU was to visit the local dealer who had access to expensive diagnostic tools, such as the Texa Axone.
Due to the rise of open source software development and on-line owners forums, you can now access your engine ECU to diagnose and review your ECU by downloading free software. I started to experience running problems with my 2003 Aprilia RST, and found the options to accurately review fault codes via the motorcycle dashboard are limited and clumsy.
If you experience intermittent faults it was virtually impossible to diagnose because the dashboard would only display the latest fault code after turning off the ignition, removing the seat to connect up the diagnostic circuit, then turning of the ignition.
If the fault didn’t reappear when the ignition was turned on you would be back to square one – very frustrating! After lots of searching around the internet I found a website called TuneECU which provided free software to analyse your ECU through a custom made cable. The website also contains information regarding how to make the cable for your specific bike, alternatively you can buy the correct cable from most online auction sites (I got mine from ebay.co.uk).
Before you get started with TuneECU you should be aware that you can cause some serious damage to your ECU (and your bike) if you don’t know what your are doing, so please read all the tutorial information on the website and watch the various YouTube videos.
I found TuneECU to invaluable for diagnosing problems, rather than trying to work through the fault tree in a maintenance manual. I hope you enjoyed the article, and find it useful for your modern barn finds!
Ride safe,
Al (Barnfindmotorcycle.com)
3 Comments
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