GL1800 (Any Year): Reset the ECM

[Cruiseman]

Here are the steps that I follow to reset the ECM on the Goldwing:

• Make sure the engine is cold and has sat for at least 5 hours, overnight is best
• Remove the ground (black) cable from the battery
• Let the bike set for at least 30 minutes
• Re-attach the ground to the battery
• Start the Goldwing, but DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE
• Allow the bike to idle until the engine warms up and you hear the radiator fans turn on
• After the fans turn off, turn off the ignition
• Restart the bike and go for a ride!

That should do it.

I think it is advisable to do a reset whenever you change your air filter or spark plugs.

[rwhitehead]

Why would you want to do this?

[freeasabird_tom]

Thanks for the tip, glad I signed up. !

[Cruiseman]

Why would you want to do this?

For lack of a better explanation, the ECM has a "memory" that, over time, can get "confused". It stores information and uses that information to determine engine idle and other factors. Not trying to get too technical, but occasionally, the memory needs to be cleared and reset for the bike to operate optimally. There are probably some tweaks on here that can do a much better job of explaining this that I can.

[rwhitehead]

that makes since its just like your home computer you clear the temp files from your browser and the pages load faster. Thanks for explaining it I would have never thought of doing that.

[scada]

Over time the ECM keeps track of many different parameters to optimize the performance of the bike. These parameters are averaged over time. This has been desribed as 'learning.' The longer the time since the reset the longer it will take to develop new averages or relearn the new parameters. With a new air filter the amount of air into the engine will be greater, as the old filter clogged the ECM made changes over a long time period to keep up with these changes. When you change the filter suddenly the changes the ECM made are no longer valid it does not know the filter was changed so it keeps doing what it did before. Over time it will learn the new averages but it may take too long to be effective. Better to reset the ECM to factory settings and let it start over.

[Papa smurf2]

Thanks for the helpful tip !!

[clayusmcret]

Other than losing my radio presets, what other potential losses are there (if any)?

[orangecrate]

Just to clarify one thing... The ECM is powered off when the ignition switch is off. That would eliminate the need to disconnect the battery, which will save losing radio presets.

[caninecop]

Just to clarify one thing... The ECM is powered off when the ignition switch is off. That would eliminate the need to disconnect the battery, which will save losing radio presets.

I don’t disconnect the battery either, if there is a good reason to disconnect maybe cruiseman will post his reason for the disconnect.

[orangecrate]

I don’t disconnect the battery either, if there is a good reason to disconnect maybe cruiseman will post his reason for the disconnect.

Actually two things disconnect power from the ECM: The ignition switch and the handlebar kill switch operates a relay that also kills power to the ECM. This not counting of course, the fuse... #20, I think.