Research help needed please guys and gals.
I work for a company which makes ignition and engine management components such as ignition leads and coils for the car aftermarket. Our products are mainly sold through motor factors and then on to independent garages. One of the more specialised things we do though is an ECU (Electronic control unit) test and repair service. For those of you who don’t know what I’m on about the ECU is the computer (Bosch Motronic in BWM’s case) which controls the engine management (fuel delivery and ignition) on your bike. All petrol cars since 1992 have been fitted with fuel injection and closed loop CAT systems in the UK and have had therefore at least one ECU.
The service we currently offer only covers car systems. We can do about 4000 part numbers across all makes of vehicle. This is a small specialised market but given the high cost of a new replacement ECU, companies with the ability have the chance to sell re-conditioned units, normally better than new, at a great saving to the vehicles owner.
I was thinking the other day about whether there would be any demand for us to develop test procedures for the Motronic ECU’s on the bikes we ride. It is important to stress that we are not in the performance market at all. I am talking about simply repairing the ECU to new OE standard. Typical problems on cars occur because of water or accident damage or electrical surges blowing components (try not to use jump leads on modern cars guys).
My question therefore people is a simple one. How many of you out there have had ECU related problems with your bikes that have resulted in you having to have a replacement fitted? I would really appreciate some feedback on this especially from people who work on the bikes such as Steptoe. (Any chance of your thoughts Neil?).
Given the relatively small numbers of bikes on the road compared to cars, developing the above may not make any commercial sense. I may though still be able to convince our boffins to do it anyway just so we have the service available if anyone needs it.
Rich.
I work for a company which makes ignition and engine management components such as ignition leads and coils for the car aftermarket. Our products are mainly sold through motor factors and then on to independent garages. One of the more specialised things we do though is an ECU (Electronic control unit) test and repair service. For those of you who don’t know what I’m on about the ECU is the computer (Bosch Motronic in BWM’s case) which controls the engine management (fuel delivery and ignition) on your bike. All petrol cars since 1992 have been fitted with fuel injection and closed loop CAT systems in the UK and have had therefore at least one ECU.
The service we currently offer only covers car systems. We can do about 4000 part numbers across all makes of vehicle. This is a small specialised market but given the high cost of a new replacement ECU, companies with the ability have the chance to sell re-conditioned units, normally better than new, at a great saving to the vehicles owner.
I was thinking the other day about whether there would be any demand for us to develop test procedures for the Motronic ECU’s on the bikes we ride. It is important to stress that we are not in the performance market at all. I am talking about simply repairing the ECU to new OE standard. Typical problems on cars occur because of water or accident damage or electrical surges blowing components (try not to use jump leads on modern cars guys).
My question therefore people is a simple one. How many of you out there have had ECU related problems with your bikes that have resulted in you having to have a replacement fitted? I would really appreciate some feedback on this especially from people who work on the bikes such as Steptoe. (Any chance of your thoughts Neil?).
Given the relatively small numbers of bikes on the road compared to cars, developing the above may not make any commercial sense. I may though still be able to convince our boffins to do it anyway just so we have the service available if anyone needs it.
Rich.