I Hate Motorbikes! Why can't I fix this F...ing Yamaha V-Max. The Misery Continues 😞

The 5th and still not the final part of the ongoing Yamaha V-Max disaster series!
If you can, please consider becoming a patron and gain access to the awesome motorcycle repair Discord chat group! Thank-You.
/ superbikesurgerytv

[@leaflee2066]

You have to love some of the armchair experts in the comments especially when the word (just) is used! Despite your pain it's good viewing for us, good luck with part six!

[@mickperry1935]

Jim, what can I say!! It was worth sending it to you to try but just goes to show that electronics don't age well. As you say you need to get an aftermarket one thats new. I suppose at least you know it definitely is the ECU at fault. Mick.

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Mick, you are an absolute legend, and I'm very, very grateful to you. My OCD won't let it go, so I've ordered a load of new components. The plan is to have a go at fixing it myself! Thanks again 🙏😁

[@colfergusson4242]

​@SuperbikeSurgeryTV there's still decent humans out there just like this guy 👍 especially in the (UK) motorbike world

[@Zippytie]

I think your gift of the ECU was very generous , theres to much profiting on parts , And in honesty , how many people are going to need a very specific ECU , well done

[@barebonesmc]

@mickperry you are what makes bikers bikers from my POV, old school, you are a gem

[@barebonesmc]

@@SuperbikeSurgeryTV feel a bit cheeky and not Vmax related, but ive been having my own nightmare. never have i had so much trouble doing some brakes. Nighthawk S front caliper rebuild, brakes worked fine but sticky, swapped pistons and seals and all free moving, reverse bled and all seemed fine, but when i mounted them and pulled brake on pistons dont return. on inspection, all pistons are free, but fluid pressure isnt releasing when lever is released. makes no sense to me, any ideas before i strip master cylinder as a last resort? loose bleed nipple and all pistons push in easily, tighten it and as you pish one in it just drives the other (twin piston calipers) out, so fluid is not returning to reservoir somehow.all was working fine before caliper rebuild. any thoughts greatfull cheers

[@tracyteagarden1746]

I'll fix it for you. All those electrolytics need replaced and there's about enough cold solder joints to sink a ship, but I do have the Yamaha plugs for my ECU test jig

[@throbbinhood7867]

Send the ECU to mend it mark, the chap is a wizard with circuit boards and electronics

[@chilli-sauce]

My exact thoughts too!

[@FourIntoOne]

Yep my thoughts too - guy is a legend with this sort of thing

[@markw7997]

Hes proper booked up .

[@christianweller4288]

Electrolytic capacitors use a wet insulator internally which dries out over time. Replace with new components. As long as all the semiconductor stuff is ok, it should be repairable.

[@Kiz552]

Had similar problems in the past at work, fitted a new I.C.V. injection control valve, engine would not start, as luck has it we have diagnostics software, checked it out, brand new I.C.V. knackered. Good luck on part 6.

[@colinstuart5226]

That sprayed on rubbery gunk has ruined lots of circuits in the few decades since it sent out of fashion - it traps moisture as it deteriorates. Changing these electrolytic capacitors would probably bring it to life - a few have obviously been leaking electrolyte but all should be changed (noting polarity first!) - and don't fanny about with a small soldering iron. Use a big flat bit that can transfer lots of heat very quickly to melt the solder round both pins at the same time and pull the component out. Putting some fresh 60/40 lead-tin solder on first makes things easier. You can muck about with braid to clean out the hole afterwards if you like. Stay well clear of the ICs - they'll most likely be fine but won't like any static discharge.

[@andyjdaviestjk]

If every mechanic put this much effort in you are one in a million

[@markw7997]

Im an electronics engineer , bin the board mate i can spot shed loads wrong with that , caps are probably dried out , dry joints gallore .

[@orfen88]

PCB repair shops can fix it no problem. Not cheap but probably cheaper than a new ECU. But then again a new ECU albeit more expensive would make the most logical sense.

[@stevenhunter5799]

I tried bleeping out your swearing, but it just ended up sounding like a minibus was reversing down my street 😜 Great channel!! Thank you! 👍

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Sorry!

[@stevenhunter5799]

🤘

[@steveclark..]

​@@SuperbikeSurgeryTVNo need to apologise in my opinion, swearing is part of human nature, being an adult,.... this channel/content isn't aimed at kids in the first place either.

[@Gg_gorilla_bikes]

Love the swearing! Keep it real!

[@mikeatwill7064]

Love the waffle. Please never change.

[@nickrider5220]

This is fascinating Jim, frustrating for you, but this is a proper older bike problem that we stumble on/ get stuck on !

[@stuartmetcalfe547]

I thought on earlier videos, the bike went to a dealer and had the replacement ECU supplied and fitted (the red one) when subsequently Jim found major problems with the carbs. So where is the original ECU that the bike shop changed (perhaps in error). If that ECU is still with the owner surely try to refit that and see what happens now the carbs are sorted. Always worthwhile getting the parts like that when a garage changes them. Great channel. Great education and great content. Stuart

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks for your comment 👍. You are 100% spot on. I strongly suspect that the original ecu removed by the dealer would work perfectly. The owner of the bike has asked but been told that it was thrown away 🤬

[@johnnyhall7065]

It may have been stolen for someone else's machine, known to them! This has happened to quite a few people over the years.

[@mickhooper9152]

I absolutely & thoroughly enjoy your videos! You are every engineer worth their salt, that I've either worked with or met during a lifetime in engineering ! Regards and best wishes Mick

[@FourIntoOne]

Collab with Mend it Mark here on youtube. Guy is a legend with exactly this sort of stuff. Seriously.👍

[@diggy-d8w]

I am the world's foremost armchair warrior...... I hope this fixes things & your Doc gives ya something to ease all the pain. Hell, I can feel it all the way across the pond. I hope this fixes this so you can tell this Tale of Woe as you chuckle. Good luck, peace

[@michaelbull9428]

Recently got back into motorbikes after 47 years lol, love watching this guy, really clever man, didn't know much about bikes before and now I realise I know even less, great videos, keep making them

[@kevinwilliams4899]

I bloke I used to work with had a similar problem with a ZZR1100 ecu and at the time couldnt source one in the UK. He found someone in Alton (Hampshire) or somewhere on the M3 corridor. Who went through it and replaced the damaged components one by one, and fixed it for not to much money. But this was around 10 years ago so I don't know if I could find out who now. From what iv'e seen you don't give up great content keep it up.

[@davefarmery8180]

I like to think that 90% of people that own bike would help if they can , gradually going through all your videos 👍

[@joemartin6775]

Watching your channel in Canada 🇨🇦 , I’m a uk 🇬🇧 Motorcycle Technician, your videos are awesome ! My Canadian wife is learning a new language 😂 , she now feels my pain when working on motorcycles ,! Keep up the awesome work

[@llcoolTN]

This is more exciting than anything. Thank you for brilliant content!

[@Bargos1968]

Great effort and love the perseverance, we've all been there! Time to bite the bullet on a new ECU by the sounds of it.

[@Twinpot1962]

I truly admire your tenacity. Especially as you’re not scared to make a decision.

[@peterpearce8867]

I hate electronics! With mechanicals you can see what’s broken, worn, or not fitted correctly… electronics are just a heap of inanimate objects to me… :(

[@tonygriffiths2485]

After 40 odd years it might need re-capping. You really need to find a wiring diagram for that as some of the caps will not reveal their type. If you did that there may well be a chance that only 1 or 2 are faulty. Caps do not like time ! I bet the original looks much the same as well. Rather you than me though ! To clean up after you, it helps to use an old toothbrush, its amazing how well that works.

[@grahamhale8844]

Been having a nightmare with my Vmax on 3 then 4 popping backfiring ect cost a fortune then found a older guy who works from home who went though carbs said they were a mess full rebuild he still wasnt happy with it fitted new coils leads ect just picked it up 100% running perfect

[@colinstuart5226]

One of the transistors looks like it maybe has a crack in its body. Also there are some Tantalum capacitors, which don't last forever in there. Sometimes they self-destruct with a bang when switched on after a long idle spell. Eminently replaceable.

[@BuZZarDFPV]

Flux plus a bigger solder tip, use 420 degree C on the iron temp and you don't have to practice everyday :) Use your carb cleaner to clean the boards. Doesn't damage the component and leaves board spotless.

[@eliotmansfield]

like welding, a top tip for soldering/desoldering big items is to pre-heat the board to stop it sucking all the heat out of your iron

[@MrGaryjames1]

theres a company called carmo electronics uk that does a repair service for these and also a replacement upgraded ecu the test and repair isnt that expensive but for my money i would buy the upgraded replacement

[@kevinmurphy724]

Hello jim, I feel your frustration. Couldn't help notice, as you moved the pick initially, you moved a diode next to R51, I know cameras do funny things but I thought I saw a broken track from the pad on the diode when you moved it, left side. Also it occurred to me, if you have a spare ECU you could use parts from the U.S. one to replace any components which may have failed in the one you are repairing. If you need to repair any track, I have some old school tracking wire I can send you some? When I was a lad, we found cutting 1ft lengths of braid and hanging a batch of these in fluid flux, then drying them made a brilliant solder remover. Good luck Kevin

[@harriseppanen5207]

I worked many years for Volvo Cars, we had major problems with ATE ABS ECUs made in Philippines .Our colleagues in UK found the problem with cold soldering and instead of replacing an expensive ECU we had a cheap fix.

[@markcropper7182]

acetone wont damage the circuit board or components it looks like there are some diodes that have degraded the ones with one blue line what causes this problem is the capacitors leak there corrosive electroylite and wicks it way through the traces if you could change the diodes and capacitors also check coil driver transistors it looks like there is one with a crack in it i would think this would cure the problem

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Good advice, thank you 👍 The Transistor did look like it had a crack it it, I agree. I think it was just a bit of conformal coating 🤔 it looked fine after it'd been cleaned. I may just order some components and have a go at a repair 😁

[@daimonmt]

​@@SuperbikeSurgeryTV Hi, I believe you can get parts from RS Components, pitty I am not in the UK, I would have done it for you, and, you did pronounce my name correctly. The bright side is that, being an old ECU, it is simple in its design and you can replace components. Thanks for the update

[@markcropper7182]

@@SuperbikeSurgeryTV i would give it a go if it was my bike i know there is aftermarket replacements but wont be anywhere as good as a repaired original unit good luck i think that you are more than capable of doing it is there any parts in the flea bay unit still good

[@karirautio]

When soldering and you have removed the tin wire from soldering point you should have the iron still there a short time, 1-2 second.

[@jcb208]

Any decent electronics shop should be able to refurb that board, it is not corroded, reflow and replace faulty parts which are pretty basic on that board

[@wippy748s]

check the components on the pick up sensor input for that cylinder , sounds like a dry joint as it will only fire when the revs are high, those sensors produce a stronger signal at higher revs and can jump the connection, it if was faulty on the output side then it would not work at all

[@vidvidbiker]

Really enjoying this series. My experience is with HDs Evos which are easy to convert to points ignition and run very well on them. I presume a VMax cannot be easily converted? - Just a thought on checking that ECU board - if you have a music Hi Fi repair shop close to you those guys are a whiz at finding faults in circuits, irrespective of their end use. Looking forward to part 6 - that VMax got you another subscriber😎.

[@briandarnell5966]

I hate v max thet are so hard to get right. Good luck with the diagnosis looking forward to part 6.😊

[@matthewharmer1656]

Any old tv repair shops near you? Maybe they could help?

[@michelbrown1060]

My old XJ developped a canon syndrom. . . the rpm would swing badly , loosing fire and exploding out. .. . A frenchman told me, if all wire is sound. . redo all the solder on the circuit plate, , The big one has a curious dark aura around the center. .. . when I went for a test ride, the vibration came in at 5500 rpm instead of 4500. . 😊and no more canon sound in the back. .

[@KarlGrewcock]

I hope you sort that v max out. It's official that the problem is a pain in the ass for you and the owner. But please keep the videos playing as they are knowledgeable to a 125 rider . Keep up the great work 👍👍👍

[@Gg_gorilla_bikes]

Nice to see dursley on the package address. Spent time there when i lived in the uk and still have friends there 😊

[@lucybrown-nd1cf]

Work back from the ecu terminal for the ignition on the bad cylinder to it's mosfet using ohms on your meter, change it out because it might just be the problem.

[@Wetbristol]

Ignitech make a replacement TCI box that I believe may replace this. It's computer programmed to setup the pick ups and ignition. But I've had a similar situation and this really was the only way to guarantee that I had an ' Actually Working " TCI.

[@ianlawrie919]

So mind contorting for you but as you say, super watching 👏👌👍

[@nigelwilson8331]

No one ever got shot for trying.😅.you certainly earn yout money.keep the vids coming jim...

[@WilliamHolcak]

Love your videos you are the bomb wish there was more mechanics like you cheers

[@dereklucas8420]

Need to send it to the KZbinr Mend it Mark

[@trapdoorspider9211]

I deer certainly looks like a trip to RS electrical supplies

[@steenlassen5718]

Have a look at Vectric CDI replacement. CDIs do not stand the abuse of time and moist.

[@haroldpeperkamp2030]

Hang on, when you first probed it with that pick you touched on a loose soldering. Check your video! Around 17:30 in something moved.

[@fizzyridertoo]

This is a very simple board. It looks like single layer with lots of large, discrete components. The blue/grey devices are diodes and easy to replace. This is not a surface mount board and a decent tech will have no issues fixing it.

[@cabbage681]

Really interesting seeing whats inside the black box of mysterious goings on. My old Harley has points and a condenser so I can replace my ignition system for 10 quid in 10 mins and that thing looked like it came from a space ship and NASA might have to be contacted for repairs.

[@steveclark..]

Never A Straight Answer,...the organisation that tells us that they lost their blue prints on the tech that put man on the moon. Yeah right, along with all the other aspects that clearly don't add up, I'm convinced that the whole moon landing were faked.

[@xxl531]

There is a v max specialist in Holland they maybe have parts i see if i can fond the name of the company

[@leeandjancruise]

There seems to be more than one, just Googled 'V max specialist in Holland'.

[@Ausblack]

F$%k it, I can sleep when I'm dead.

[@evanjohn503]

if only you were a professional KZbinr you could merch him a t-shirt/mug/gloves/hoodie etc etc etc Always good to watch, cheers

[@cozydram1]

hi Chap I'm half way through this video......and I'm not fed up with this series....I do feel for you on it........I must have missed can this part not be reordered from Yam........ok continuing now......

[@shaunbigdog7192]

Have you got pigeons. I can hear them in the background

[@71Habu]

If the electrolytic capacitors looked that bad, I would have replaced them all. Any signs of them leaking, like the crude built up on the ones in your video was a sure sign they were leaking. Once they start, there’re no good. Sounds like an age problem with all of them. When I was a printed circuit repair technician, I had a soldier sucker so I could get a complete removal of the soldier. Also there some of those resisters need to be replaced. I wouldn’t suspect the transistors because they are pretty bullet proof.

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Jim u are the bull. Love ur chanel and all the work u do. The chap who sent u the icu is also the bull. He is a good skin. Well done to ye both. Lookin fwd to part 6

[@martinowl]

Sadly, I can see this type of issue being commonplace in years to come.

[@secretsix6]

you want see the the floppy pcb on my vfr 800 clocks its like spaghetti junction with all the repair wires lol still works though

[@ianflynn2353]

You could get a tv repair shop to repair the board or replace it

[@MrMoto948]

TV repair man. Tell him you want new 5-8 year caps (thats the maximum) all of them replaced. New transistors and any zener diodes. $100 max on components and half a days labour. I used to do it but I fried the power supply on my last TV. Can still ride fast but can't solder for shit now days.

[@sharg0]

I hate that yellow glue on electronics. During a long period the formula used was utterly bad - after X years it might start to go conductive and thus cause larger and larger short circuits between all parts of the board/components where it's applied. Initially it will only affect weak signals but with time the resistance in it reduces and more "interesting" faults can occur. More info from an electronics expert (I'm barely a hobby guy): kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6qbf4Zor8qdnrM (Mr Carlssons Lab)

[@acvn-hg9gy]

Its a pretty easy board to fix it seems. Only the microboards are hard-ish; how awesone would it be to "build" your own ECU? 😉

[@leavemyrightsalone]

A big shame, but really enjoyed watching all that..

[@mickleblade]

20.11 is that a burn spot on the FET?

[@kwakgreen]

Jim. check out Alex from Northridge Fix.

[@rupertbollywood1190]

Bin it and fit ignition points lol

[@richnorris1061]

I’ve got a virago and it’s been fighting me since I got it :-) some of them do put up a fight

[@robinfowler9477]

difficult to tell from video but some of those capacitors look swollen or leaking? a hifi repair shop may be able to advise.

[@ringo196]

Have you rang BB Reman in Rochester doesn't cost anything to ask ?

[@philtyson868]

Could the voltage regulator be spiking the ECU and blowing up the circuit board??

[@peterreeton6051]

whats happed to the fuel pump there should be a clicking sound from it when you switch it on with kill switch in run position,i have had a vmax for 10 years before

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

I'm not using the pump, just gravity feeding the carbs.

[@TheBlibo]

What a top guy he is giving you an ecu

[@Kjutte1]

Is it not suspicious that the same cylinders are failing despite various ECUs? Maybe it is something else? Or maybe I got that wrong.

[@ry491]

I am so glad I ride a honda rebel 250 .

[@ringo196]

Someone must make a stand alone ecu?

[@duncanshelmerdine6377]

Just shows how cool bickers are

[@chriswood9040]

the comments below point to old components . Back to basics what is happening with the battery voltage could it be causeing stress to the devices

[@paulthompson7280]

Oh no it looks like the Electric Relays in the ECU burned welded together you can tell by the Blistering , witch is usually caused by a Faulty Coil pack test the Coils to be on the safe side Replace all Coil packs before Conecting a new ECU Other wise you can Blow up a new ECU , Ihave found this problem on a V6 Toyota i Replaced all Coils and a Refurbished ECU and i Replaced Timeing Chains and Tensioners witch wer needed . Good work

[@wotnoturbo]

Aftermarket MSD Ignition.

[@homeworkshopengineering]

ECUs should be banned in vehicles! They are not needed and some simple discrete electronics would do the job. But then more people could repair them and they don’t want that! 😊

[@99gpandy28]

Put it back together and ,Seal in some freezer bags ,And boil ecu in a saucepan keeping it off the bottom 15 mins ,then plug back in start bike ,Worked on cdi for Yamaha quad check out my vid wheelies after this process never missed a beat afterwards.

[@markaddy53]

pain in the arse job lad but sure you will fix it keep the great work next video please

[@simonsackett]

Sounds like a job for @StezStixFix

[@joepvanlunenburg1274]

Or Buy it Fix it...

[@simonrawle7885]

wot a legend mike is

[@duncanshelmerdine6377]

That is toast fella.

[@ricardopinho7175]

Why not give Speeduino a go and learn something new if you haven't done it before?

[@TheBlibo]

Hi So you now know the problem. How much dose the customer want to spend how much time do you want to put into this. Maybe it's time to buy a new ecu or send one of the three away for repair

[@Flyingspann3r]

Ultrasonic cleaner and acetone? Pros clean flux from motherboards in ipa and run it through a cycle or two,Louis Rossmans KZbin channel if you want some context.

[@stefanbrown8176]

Is it over charging ? And killing ecus

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Charging System checks out completely fine. Good question, though 👍

[@stefanbrown8176]

@@SuperbikeSurgeryTV is it leaking ac though

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

​@stefanbrown8176 "leaking AC" not a description I've ever heard! I think I understand what you are getting at. The Rectifier is working correctly. When you AC couple the meter it's a very clean DC supply.

[@Desertduleler_88]

I have a similar issue with my Honda Blackbird code25 error. The bike continues to run fine but l’ve been told it’s the ecu.

[@jonm7272]

If its the Fi Blackbird it might be worth checking the (redundant) diagnostics plug. Very common for these to corroded badly and throw lots of strange errors.

[@Desertduleler_88]

@@jonm7272 Is that the same plug you clear the codes from?

[@jonm7272]

@@Desertduleler_88 yes, I should think so. My own BBird was carbs so not an expert here, but would be worth you Googling Blackbird fuel injection problems and you should pretty quickly find some info on this. It was a very common problem so should be the first thing to check. The cure was just to cut the plug off and solder all the wires together. Have a look on Google and you should find some pictures.

[@jonm7272]

​@@Desertduleler_88KZbin keeps deleting my replies for some reason. I've just added a link in these comments that describes the diagnostic plug issue. Might be worth checking anyway. If it is corroded the simple cure is to cut it off and solder all the wires together.

[@Desertduleler_88]

@@jonm7272 There is a plug l’ve used to clear codes from the icu that has two outlets. I just did a search and l’m told it’s a four pin connector under the tank that is used once during the factory setup. I’ll check this out.

[@birdy695]

There’s a guy on KZbin, think he’s TheCod3r, he’ll sort this for you.

[@peterwilson8797]

The owner needs deep pockets. What's an ECU 1.5k plus?

[@greggarnham8497]

They're all diodes that have crumbled . . . . . Even labelled D2 and D11 etc.

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks 👍 it was very late! I did notice that when editing 😁

[@markmenzies4218]

Thermal image camera? & it tells you on the board what the components are mate. I know you probably know this.lol

[@LANKY123]

If you cant get a new board I would reach out to one of the diy electronic guys on youtube and do a joint video, www.youtube.com/@StezStixFix is amazingly skilled with electronics and fixing them, if you didn't immediately recognize the capacitors were gone then as you say this is for someone else with different skillds to fix.

[@ianbonnick7640]

It’s definitely a pull your hair out job

[@FREE_PUREBLOOD333]

What a great guy sending u that as a gift. 🙏

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

100% Agree, what a legend 👏