Triumphrat

nbr1stunna · 05-07-2008

New guy here!! Just purchased a 1998 Triumph T595i...see pic!! First time owning a Triumph!! Against, my buddies judgment, I bought this one anyhow. Very different and nice lines. They are laughing at me; however, I am sure they won't be IF SHE EVER RUNS!! Could use a little help. Here is the story: The guy I purchased it from indicates he was riding and it just shut down. He indicated the Triumph dealer diagnosed it as a bad ECU. I have the paperwork where it was serviced at the dealer about 2 weeks ago. You can turn the key on and the neutral light will come on; however, the fuel pump does not prime. Turns over great though. Have a Triumph tech manual, but it is way too technical. Any help would be great.

silvoor · 05-07-2008

Welcome and congratulations on the Triumph. They have a reputation for reliability so once you get it running it should be okay assuming it's been well maintained. I am not familiar with that model nor am I very technical but if the manual is too technical isn't your only course of action to find a good technician you can trust?

drakewn · 05-08-2008

Sounds like a relay or a fuse. I don't think it would be the fuel pump, because when a pump dies it usually runs until the vehicle gets shut off, then dies completely. Your manual should be simple enough to show you where to find the relays and fuses. I believe all of mine ('02 955i) are accessible from under the seats. There is also an alternator rectifier, which on my bike is located beneath the rear bodywork on the right hand side of the bike. My manual says the rectifier does not contain any serviceable parts and must be replaced if faulty. I'm not sure if this would shut a bike down immediately or if the alternator will just stop charging. But then again, if the alternator is not functioning, there may not be enough voltage to run critical ECU functions.

Hope this helps.

DEcosse · 05-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by drakewn

....There is also an alternator rectifier, which on my bike is located beneath the rear bodywork on the right hand side of the bike. My manual says the rectifier does not contain any serviceable parts and must be replaced if faulty....

Your model nbr1stunna has completely different alternator - automotive style integrated unit and these are rare failures compared to the separate stator - regulator/rectifier of the 02+ bikes.

One thing that IS problematic on early T595's (& subject to recall) is an item called the Ground Block (or Earth block depending on which side of Ocean) - this is a plastic block that serves as a central grounding point for the electrical system. You should be able to find it under the seat area - sometimes 'disguised' under foam insulation. It can be either white (bad) or blue - however there were two iterations of blue - the better one should have separate ground wire back to the battery -ve. Look for a bundle of black wires coming together at common point to identify it.

Bottom line - appreciate your faith which will undoubtedly be rewarded - this is unlikely to be a real expensive fix and your friends will be envious!

nbr1stunna · 05-08-2008

Wow: Thanks fellows. I am surprised at the wealth of knowledge. I will take a look for that ground/earth block today. It just surprises me that a dealer would not know that, as I purchased the bike from the guy while it was still at the dealer to be looked at. According to the guy and dealer, they are indicating a bad ECU ($1700 part)...ouch!!

drakewn · 05-08-2008

Does your year of bike have a fall detection switch? might be worth a look, chances are it's cheaper than $1700. And I'm going to go out on a limb here, but try disconnecting the neg(-) battery terminal for about a minute. An automotive mechanic once told me this will cause the computer to reset itself. It won't erase updated software or anything like that. It worked on my old Chevy when the speed sensor would die. It would get me by until I could get it replaced by the dealer. I know it sounds far-fetched, but I would want to try anything to get out of paying for a new computer.

nbr1stunna · 05-08-2008

I have actually removed the battery from the bike for recharging. Does that count? I will have to look at the tech manual to determine if it has a fall detection switch and where it would be located.

drakewn · 05-08-2008

I've been reading my manual, and here are a couple other ideas:

1. Main Power Relay? (connected to ECU/ECM)
2. Crankshaft Position Sensor?
3. Alarm? (could shut down ignition, but it shouldn't)
4. Fuel Pump? (could have died while in operation, not likely though)
- and there is a fuel pump relay too.

I searched google for some answers too, and one fellow had reported some wiring had shorted out on his '97, and a fuel line inside the tank came off somehow.

ckassen · 05-08-2008

What dummy lights are on when ignition is on, do both of them light up or what? You already said that the fuel pump doesnt prime.

I have gone through 3 ecm's on my bike, the reason was because the main ground was not secure, it was vibrating loose causing the ecm to suddenly not have a ground and eventually it would fry it...

The side effects for a bad ECM is no fuel pump, injectors are not firing, there is spark, but it is weak and random. Last thing was that the check engine light is not on when ignition is on(it should be on).

I am guessing that your ECM is bad, I would check all of your grounds. Then I would start looking on ebay for a ECM. That is where I got all of mine, the cost anywhere from $50 to $150, depending on how lucky you are. I believe that all of the ECM's are the same for triumph, they just have a different tune in them. The only difference in the ECM is if it came out of a 955i(3 cylinder) or 600(4 cylinder), otherwise if they look the same, they are(that way you arent just looking for a 98 daytona ECM, you can get a sprint/speed triple one also, it will just need a new tune)
Chris

nbr1stunna · 05-08-2008

Well, you guys have convinced me to keep the bike! I do not want to take this bike to the dealer. I can't believe the support. Thanks. Okay...when I switch the ignition on, the only dummy lights that illuminates is the neutral light. No check engine light either. I am going to try and find the ground block when I get home this evening and check all those wires as suggested earlier. I did put a test light on the super long plug to the ECM and when I touched one of the connectors, it was getting fire. If anyone sees or has a ECM email me @ nbr01stunna2006@yahoo.com. I am located in Virginia Beach, VA.