Coding an ECU?

**jim shea** · 06 Mar 08, 03:09 PM

If you fit Termis and an ecu and it is coded to you bike, then the ecu is useless if you ever want to sell them on. But if you don't code it to your bike, does the immobilser, diagnostics, clocks, keys etc still work?

**Gilps** · 06 Mar 08, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim shea

If you fit Termis and an ecu and it is coded to you bike, then the ecu is useless if you ever want to sell them on. But if you don't code it to your bike, does the immobilser, diagnostics, clocks, keys etc still work?

No, if you fit the ECU but do not code it to your bike in the correct manner, then your bike will not work. The ECU is the brains of the outfit. When you put the key in and turn it on, the ECU checks that the key and clocks match. If they don't, then the ECU will not let the bike run.
This is also why it is so important to get the red key when buying a Ducati, as that is the key that is needed to produce new keys from if needed.

**Derek** · 06 Mar 08, 03:49 PM

If you fit a new 'virgin' ecu all will work fine and the immobiliser function isn't switched on as long you only use the black key. Once you use the red key the ecu becomes linked to the immobiliser and the ecu can't be used except with that immobiliser. On the ST4s the immobiliser is separate, but on the Monsters, Multis, 999, etc with the digital dash it is built into the dash. Hence the need to replace the clocks.

**jim shea** · 06 Mar 08, 03:53 PM

I maybe starting a fight here, but the two last posts say opposing things. If I am being thick I apologise in advance.

**Gilps** · 06 Mar 08, 05:57 PM

I think the two posts in question compliment each other beautifully.

No fight needed, but if there was, Derek would win.

Serioulsy though, we are saying the same thing here I think. Once the ECU is coded to the bike it cannot be used on another bike. It's that simple really. The cnas can be used elsewhere, but you would then need to sort out the fuelling, hence the need for a PC or similar.

**Derek** · 07 Mar 08, 09:29 AM

No fight needed Jim. We're both saying the same thing that once the ECU is coded to the bike you can't swap it to another. Be very, very wary of 2nd hand ECUs offered on eBay.

**jim shea** · 07 Mar 08, 11:32 AM

Ta.... I have been told on most Ducatis the performance ecu such as the Termi one, does not get coded to your bike; except on the very latest super sports models where any ecu is automatically coded when you plug it in...