ECU Error 54 - Solved

[scott_m]

Well, today my 2012 Stelvio NTX had a SERVICE message on the dash.

Turns out the ECU was experiencing an error 54. This is a failure of the timing sensor to provided a timing signal.

First thing I did was load test the battery. It was perfect.

So, I though that my sensor had finally given up the ghost due to that absolutely brutal bend that Moto Guzzi put it in with. After all, she is 12 years old now.

Nope.

I took the sensor out of the motorcycle and bench tested it for resistance between the middle and one of the side terminals. It was 680 Ohms +/- 10%, which is right within specs.

So, I went to the other end of the sensor where the connectors are. Ah ha! The pins looked very heavily oxidized.

I carefully wire brushed them clean, and reassembled the sensor back into its connector. As expected, my Stelvio NTX fired right up, good as new.

 

[V700Steve]

It boggles my mind that you had something go wrong w/one of your bikes!! WTH. You found it right off, good catch.
Hell, I had to spin the light fuse around in my headlight bucket for the lights to work on my V700. 2nd day I had to do it I pulled fuse & pulled together the prongs, problem fixed.
Sometimes it's easy, eh.

 

[scott_m]

Oh I get the occasional snafu but it is usually easily repaired.

Thank God for the blessings in my life!

 

[Chris Wilson]

You didn't give up Scott, tenacity is one of your blessings.
Well done.

 

[DeadEye]

Where is that connector !
Exposed to the elements in such a way that it would get sprayed with water, snow salt ?

Just noses and wondering.

 

[john zibell]

Where is that connector !
Exposed to the elements in such a way that it would get sprayed with water, snow salt ?

If like other Guzzis, back up under the fuel tank. Corrosion at connectors has been an issue with these bikes since I started working on them in 1975! For any electrical problem I tell folks to clean every connector on the bike. That usually solves the problem.

 

[scott_m]

Where is that connector !
Exposed to the elements in such a way that it would get sprayed with water, snow salt ?

It is in front of the left cylinder, bolted to the engine block with 2 Allen head screws. The cable then runs back towards the center of the engine, and connects to the wiring loom connector under the fuel tank.

It is not in an area which would normally get any appreciable road spray.

The connectors just oxidized over the years and this oxidation was sufficient enough to trigger the Service Warning.

It is necessary to remove the fuel tank in order to properly access this part in order to inspect and clean it.

 

[scott_m]

Took her out again today to verify everything is in working order. Doing a little “Shake Down Cruise” before launching off to the first one of the year, Mutton Run and Cheese Curd Chase with @Bill Hagan et al. She is running like a complete dream.

I must be getting older because I actually put the DB killer into the Mistral pipe this morning and I like it better. The sound is nice and Basso Profundo without being obnoxious. Granted, I have GTM’s full fueling setup but with the DB killer removed, you will get the very occasional popping on deceleration, but with the DB killer installed, you cannot even hear it when it happens. The sound is effectively muted down very significantly.

So looking forward to a nice lengthy trip on my Stelvio NTX. Call me crazy, but I still feel out of all 8 of my current Moto Guzzi motorcycles, and also all the others I have had in my lifetime, the Stelvio NTX is BY FAR, in my opinion, the very best motorcycle that Moto Guzzi has built thus far. The quality of the materials, the riding comfort, the power and handling, the fully adjustable suspension, the factory saddle, literally everything about the motorcycle, is just exceptional. I love this motorcycle so much. I will never sell her. Truly one of the world’s great motorcycles.

Tomorrow I need to mount up my rear case. I bought it over a year ago and it is still in the box that was shipped to me.