FJRF004: The 2006/7 Altitude Fix
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escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
Thanks for the field testing Fencer.
I did read your other post, hope it is just an isolated incident. My bike has been from sea level to 11,000 ft in my various travels. It has also been ridden from the 600 to 5000 ft levels so many times I've lost count...I do tend to like twisting the throttle up and down the mountains, so maybe my riding style has something to do with it.
Soooo, I guess I'm still on the fence. Keep us updated.
--G
I did read your other post, hope it is just an isolated incident. My bike has been from sea level to 11,000 ft in my various travels. It has also been ridden from the 600 to 5000 ft levels so many times I've lost count...I do tend to like twisting the throttle up and down the mountains, so maybe my riding style has something to do with it.
Soooo, I guess I'm still on the fence. Keep us updated.
--G
DonRed7
Well-known member
Was it actually a "Recall" or just available to those who experienced the problem and were fortunate enough to be a forum member? How many poor down-trodden peeps are wandering the americas dealing with that neat *** grabbing sudden "Back on the fuel with a little extra" thing?
Here on My Island "Brave Heart voice",... I've not experienced the typical symptoms,...yet P.E.I dosen't have elevations in excess of 8-900 ft. And my trip to North Carolina was really too hurried to take note of such.
Do i wait till it happens at the worst possible time(next year's trip with SO) or go and ask that it be done?
-Don
Here on My Island "Brave Heart voice",... I've not experienced the typical symptoms,...yet P.E.I dosen't have elevations in excess of 8-900 ft. And my trip to North Carolina was really too hurried to take note of such.
Do i wait till it happens at the worst possible time(next year's trip with SO) or go and ask that it be done?
-Don
It is my understanding that Yamaha sent letters to affected owners in at least the U.S.....maybe Canada too.
Regardless, go check the very first post of this thread that includes a synopsis of the bulletin to see if your VIN is included.
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Sure is nice when others are blazing the trail on these problems. I've been in a quandary over what model to get. Dealer is giving me a great deal on a leftover 07, but I thought I might wait for a 08. I wasn't even aware of the "altitude" problem before joining this form....glad I did. Spend some time on the phone with Yamaha and got to talk to someone who seem to know what they were talking about. He said the recognized the problem and it has been corrected, if your unsure just call the 1-800 number and give them your vin and they can tell you whether it's been fixed or not!
I train computer techs and my students are always asking why I don't build with the latest and hottest parts (CPU, Video, etc.) Being on the cutting edge is sometimes the bleeding edge. I commend the bold that blaze the trail for others and share what problems they have incounterd. Thanks.. Now I can make a better decision on what model to get......now if i could just make the dam thing.......... :blink:
I train computer techs and my students are always asking why I don't build with the latest and hottest parts (CPU, Video, etc.) Being on the cutting edge is sometimes the bleeding edge. I commend the bold that blaze the trail for others and share what problems they have incounterd. Thanks.. Now I can make a better decision on what model to get......now if i could just make the dam thing.......... :blink:
ELP_JC
Well-known member
Hey folks, I gave THREE pieces of information based on what I had read so far, with 'early '06s' being just one of them... and the least important.
What I'd do if I was an '06 owner, Yamaha letter or not, is to follow my 3rd recommendation: ride the darn bike to a mountain and see if I have the problem WHILE CLIMBING SLOWLY (remember you won't feel symptoms riding aggressively), but CO settings of 5,18,18,21 is a good indication you will.
If you have the symptoms, get the ECU replaced. If not, leave it alone. But DON'T assume you don't have the symptoms without riding the bike to a mountain. Even if you don't plan to ever use the bike on a mountain road, you better find out if you have it or not for resale purposes, or just get the ECU replaced (if you have a letter) and ask dealer to hold old one for a day in case you have rideability problems.
Remember boards like these are just OPINIONS, including all mine, without having to write 'IMO' every freaking paragraph. I'd never take any opinion, even from the 'experts' for granted, but there's a wealth of very useful info on most boards like this which helps to make our own decisions, and find solutions to our problems a lot easier. Remember a dealer will never accept as fact 'I read it on the internet', regardless of the poster's credentials. Have a great weekend gang.
JC
What I'd do if I was an '06 owner, Yamaha letter or not, is to follow my 3rd recommendation: ride the darn bike to a mountain and see if I have the problem WHILE CLIMBING SLOWLY (remember you won't feel symptoms riding aggressively), but CO settings of 5,18,18,21 is a good indication you will.
If you have the symptoms, get the ECU replaced. If not, leave it alone. But DON'T assume you don't have the symptoms without riding the bike to a mountain. Even if you don't plan to ever use the bike on a mountain road, you better find out if you have it or not for resale purposes, or just get the ECU replaced (if you have a letter) and ask dealer to hold old one for a day in case you have rideability problems.
Remember boards like these are just OPINIONS, including all mine, without having to write 'IMO' every freaking paragraph. I'd never take any opinion, even from the 'experts' for granted, but there's a wealth of very useful info on most boards like this which helps to make our own decisions, and find solutions to our problems a lot easier. Remember a dealer will never accept as fact 'I read it on the internet', regardless of the poster's credentials. Have a great weekend gang.
JC
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bmwhd
Well-known member
Early '06A here. Never noticed the problem but had mine swapped out when getting other work done. Bike runs like a dream (still) and no issues so far.
BTW, my dealer (Stadium Yamaha in Irving, TX) did a fantastic job of NOT screwing up my Audiovox CC and PCIII all in the tray above the ECU.
I did notice the new ECU was back at 5, 18, 18, 21 so I did +4 again which eliminates the tiny bit of lean popping I get with the Staintunes at low RPM. I'm sure I could cure that with the PCIII as well but it's running so damn sweet on the Wally map that I'm loath to change it.
BTW, my dealer (Stadium Yamaha in Irving, TX) did a fantastic job of NOT screwing up my Audiovox CC and PCIII all in the tray above the ECU.
I did notice the new ECU was back at 5, 18, 18, 21 so I did +4 again which eliminates the tiny bit of lean popping I get with the Staintunes at low RPM. I'm sure I could cure that with the PCIII as well but it's running so damn sweet on the Wally map that I'm loath to change it.
Last Chance
Well-known member
Just to add my "thanks" to all that helped solve this problem. A big thumb's up to Yamaha and Roseville, CA Yamaha. Zac is the greatest!!!!
I never received a letter, and I had never had a problem with surging in the mountains. (Just going at a steady freeway pace.) Our mountains around here "encourage one" to make frequent large throttle position changes.
However I asked the service manager if my '06 was subject to recall and he said yes. They replaced it when I had new tires put on today.
My impression is my FJR runs much smoother than with the original ECU. Idle is smoother, Throttle response is clean and no longer has that dreaded "cough" when first "cracking open" the throttle. That cough, along with backing off the throttle in parking lot maneuvers resulted in several episodes of the engine stalling/dying at just the wrong time. Even a PCIII did not eliminate that "cough" completely. The PCIII helped (along with all the other "mods") but didn't eliminate the surging or the "cough of death".
It will be some time before I can ride it enough to tell if there is a real improvement, but for me I think the answer will be yes in all respects.
I've been wrong before and will update this thread when possible.
LC
I never received a letter, and I had never had a problem with surging in the mountains. (Just going at a steady freeway pace.) Our mountains around here "encourage one" to make frequent large throttle position changes.
However I asked the service manager if my '06 was subject to recall and he said yes. They replaced it when I had new tires put on today.My impression is my FJR runs much smoother than with the original ECU. Idle is smoother, Throttle response is clean and no longer has that dreaded "cough" when first "cracking open" the throttle. That cough, along with backing off the throttle in parking lot maneuvers resulted in several episodes of the engine stalling/dying at just the wrong time. Even a PCIII did not eliminate that "cough" completely. The PCIII helped (along with all the other "mods") but didn't eliminate the surging or the "cough of death".
It will be some time before I can ride it enough to tell if there is a real improvement, but for me I think the answer will be yes in all respects.
I've been wrong before and will update this thread when possible.
LC
painman
Well-known member
I have the early 06, got a letter, but had notified Yamaha over a year ago about the issue. Even though I only have had 3 episodes of "minor" surge/stalling. One was while riding aggressively the other two not. All were going down hill and all were under 3000 ft. elevation. The fact is, many times have I ridden up hill, down hill through the same areas where the 3 problems occured and no problem raised their ugly head, ie. no consistant problem. I have never felt the need to change or mess with the CO settings and I could have left the ECU alone but the problem was there and needed the change. I would have changed it even without any problems previous and I highly reccomend for anyone on the list in the range of bikes affected to get the ECU changed A.S.A.P because you might be sorry later. And all it takes is one episode for your bike to stall to distract you or you might be making a pass at a critical point and you could be dead. The bike runs just as well as before now but won't be able to get to altutude until better weather comes to know for sure. PM. <><
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JETSET
Active member
I have the early 06, got a letter, but had notified Yamaha over a year ago about the issue. Even though I only have had 3 episodes of "minor" surge/stalling. One was while riding aggressively the other two not. All were going down hill and all were under 3000 ft. elevation. The fact is, many times have I ridden up hill, down hill through the same areas where the 3 problems occured and no problem raised their ugly head, ie. no consistant problem. I have never felt the need to change or mess with the CO settings and I could have left the ECU alone but the problem was there and needed the change. I would have changed it even without any problems previous and I highly reccomend for anyone on the list in the range of bikes affected to get the ECU changed A.S.A.P because you might be sorry later. And all it takes is one episode for your bike to stall to distract you or you might be making a pass at a critical point and you could be dead. The bike runs just as well as before now but won't be able to get to altutude until better weather comes to know for sure. PM. <><
Had mine replaced today did notice at slower RPMS a crisper throttle response and I'm not that high. :blink:
Jagermeister
Well-known member
Jagermeister
Well-known member
I haven't run a PC3, but it's my understanding that it controlls the CO level, among other things. So, the Barbarian mod is pointless, with the power commander.
How many PC maps have you tried? If you're gasping only at initial throttle, it's probably not be getting enough air. Or fuel.
Anyone else?
HaulinAshe
Well-known member
If your bike is part of the ECU recall, get it done! Then determine if you want to go the extra step of the PC-III. Since changing to the updated ECU, I have returned to the stock map on my PC-III. No Barb mod necessary and I could not imagine needing it. The bike's performance has increased and improved beyond anything capable on my 05.
I might also suggest spending money on something you absolutely do not need like Remus pipes. They look and sound wonderful and don't detract from the performance one bit.
I might also suggest spending money on something you absolutely do not need like Remus pipes. They look and sound wonderful and don't detract from the performance one bit.
I am planning to install the TWO BROTHERS C5 carbon cans. A guy here in Calgary has them and they sound great. I know it's not going to make much in the HP department but it sure sounds like it does....
I have a K&N filter on my bike as well. That mod made it a lot better. Once the cans are on I'll be looking for a PC map, or dyno shop.
Bert
I have a K&N filter on my bike as well. That mod made it a lot better. Once the cans are on I'll be looking for a PC map, or dyno shop.
Bert
My bike is identified in the bulletin but my dealer says they will only replace my ECU if I am experiencing altitude related problems. I told him I thought that was BS since I rarely ride in higher elevations and I am not having any problems at the moment. I don't want to wait til NAFO to experience problems that require me to replace my ECU. Does the bulletin say that only problematic ECUs are to be replaced or all ECUs identified. I think my dealer is being a jerk but want to make sure before I see the manager. Can anyone clarify this for me?
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
I just re-read the letter I received from mother Yamaha. Couple of quotes from the letter...
"Your Yamaha dealer can install and alternate ECU on your motorcycle that will take a reading from the altitude sensor with less throttle movement input. Please call your Yamaha dealer to make a service appointment to have this modification performed." And it goes on to say, "We are asking him or her (your dealer) to give priority to customers who are likely to use their FJR 1300 in areas with significant altitude changes..." "This modification will be free of charge."
No mention anywhere that the ECU will only be replaced if you experience the problem. Take your letter to the dealer, politely ask them replace the ECU under warranty.
FWIW I never experienced the problem from sea level to 11,000' but had the ECU replaced anyway. The bike runs much better.
--G
"Your Yamaha dealer can install and alternate ECU on your motorcycle that will take a reading from the altitude sensor with less throttle movement input. Please call your Yamaha dealer to make a service appointment to have this modification performed." And it goes on to say, "We are asking him or her (your dealer) to give priority to customers who are likely to use their FJR 1300 in areas with significant altitude changes..." "This modification will be free of charge."
No mention anywhere that the ECU will only be replaced if you experience the problem. Take your letter to the dealer, politely ask them replace the ECU under warranty.
FWIW I never experienced the problem from sea level to 11,000' but had the ECU replaced anyway. The bike runs much better.
--G
painman
Well-known member
Do what escapefjrtist suggested. What is it about some dealers that don't understand their job? I had to fight to get mine changed too and the service manager made a smart remark as I was leaving that wasn't even worth responding to. Guess who looses on these kind of deals? And after you get your ECU replaced Yamaha will send you a customer survey form on your experience and you can attach a letter with names. Guess who will loose again when Momma Yamaha reads that report? Some people just don't get it. If I didn't have to travel far to another dealer they wouldn't even have the chance to see my smiling face much less my business and the next closest dealer has had their service department shut down because of problems with repairs, go figure....I know without a doubt there are some really good dealers out there and Yamaha has a fantistic customer relations department but I just don't have the good dealers near me. PM. <><
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I'll take my bike to the dealer I bought it from 80 miles away, not the one 1.4 miles from my house, for this very reason. If I need some hassle about my bike I'll attend NAFODo what escapefjrtist suggested. What is it about some dealers that don't understand their job? I had to fight to get mine changed too and the service manager made a smart remark as I was leaving that wasn't even worth responding to. Guess who looses on these kind of deals? And after you get your ECU replaced Yamaha will send you a customer survey form on your experience and you can attach a letter with names. Guess who will loose again when Momma Yamaha reads that report? Some people just don't get it. If I didn't have to travel far to another dealer they wouldn't even have the chance to see my smiling face much less my business and the next closest dealer has had their service department shut down because of problems with repairs, go figure....I know without a doubt there are some really good dealers out there and Yamaha has a fantistic customer relations department but I just don't have the good dealers near me. PM. <><
I would imagine that "my" dealer may not know about this even today because I think I'm the only FJR owner who returns to his shop for service. I just don't trust the locals and after the last trip (he gave me a loaner to run to McD's ) I actually like going there.Hopefully EVERYONE is getting and returning their surveys. It is one of the few times owner's/customer's get a chance to voice their opinion about a dealership.
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