Polaris ECM's and PDM's are known to fail. I have two 2007 Sportsman 500 EFI with 300 miles and both ECM's have failed. When they do, its a $400 plus bill. I was wondering what could a person do to protect these electronic parts from going bad. I know Polaris recommended installing a battery disconnect switch on the older 2004-06 that were under the recall, in order to keep them from turning on by themselves and burning up. They must have power to them all the time, even when shut off. Would installing a battery disconnect switch help to preserve them by removing the power when they are not being used?

 

Does show to be an updated part # on the Bosch "brain box" or engine control module as they mistakenly call it here rather than an ecu which is the correct term.Item #15.We never had a problem on these,but did have on the ecm/pdm modules shorting out. #11 What I've read on several posts in this and other forums was that people have been removing the cover and using silicone on the inside to stop any condensation or water causing the shorts. It's not sealed and placed in a bad location,right at the front. If you've had problems with the main Bosch module then I guess we happened to be lucky at the shop and only had problems with the ecm/pdm on the efi machines and ecms on the carb models.Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse

Polaris

Polaris Industries Recalls Certain ATVs Due to Crash Hazard (December 22, 2009)
Polaris Industries Recalls ATVs Due to Fire Hazard (July 22, 2009)
Polaris Industries Expands Recall of ATVs Due to Fire Hazard (June 4, 2008)
Polaris Industries Inc. Recalls ATVs Due to Risk of Injury to Riders (March 4, 2008)
Polaris Industries Expands Recall of ATVs Due to Fire Hazard (February 14, 2008)
ATVs Recalled by Polaris Industries Inc. Due to Fire Hazard (June 21, 2007)
Polaris Recalls Select Hawkeye Model ATVs for Steering Post Failure Hazard (May 30, 2007)
Polaris Recalls Select Hawkeye Model ATVs Due to Loss of Control Hazard – Three Crashes Reported (May 30, 2007)
Polaris Industries Expanded Recall of Select Model Year 2004.5 and 2005 ATVs (June 24, 2005)
Polaris Industries Recall of Select Model Year 2004.5 and 2005 Sportsman and 2005 Model Year Scrambler ATVs (May 3, 2005)
Polaris Industries Recall of ATVs Dispensers (September 27, 2004)
Polaris Industries Recall of ATVs (September 14, 2004)
Polaris Industries Inc. Announce Recall of ATVs (November 12, 2003)
Polaris Industries Recall of Polaris Xpedition 325, Trail Boss 325, and Magnum 325 ATVs (April 15, 2003)
ATVs Recalled by Polaris Industries (January 13, 2003)
Polaris Industries Recalls ATVs (November 20, 2001)
All-Terrain Vehicles Recalled by Polaris (August 9, 2000)

 

According to the 2007 Polaris Sportsman 700 EFI Service Manual, it calls the black brain box under the headlight the ECM. And the aluminum fin box with 2 wiring harnesses in front of the radiator, the service manual calls it the PDM. And Polaris's recall for these atv models states it is for the ECM, which according to their own service manual is the black box below the headlight. Both ECM's (black box) on my two sportsman have failed. I'm trying to figure out how to keep it from happening again. Mine has never been in the water and never pressure washed. Although I will do as you recommend and silicone around the PDM panel.

 

Completely understand what you're saying,but does confuse people when it's called an ecm in one model and an ecu in the 800 and Rangers with the difference being has a reg/rectifier on the 800,but has a pdm on the Rangers.. Sometimes I think Polaris engineers are half asleep.Item#2. Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse

 

Some of the guys I ride with use something called "seals it"....its a spray sealer..not like the one shown on the infomercials..but one made by CRC I believe....it is suppose to seal electrical connections ..from what i seen it goes on very thin but provides a waterproof seal on components and connections....i will be looking to do this in the springtime...

 

I'd just keep a bag of extra ECMs under the seat.

 

 

I just wanted to correct what I posted earlier. The PDM module is what went out on both of my 500 efi's. So if anyone has the same symptoms, look at replacing the PDM that has aluminum fins and is located behind the grill.

 

Yes,that's what we had the most trouble with was the pdms,(takes the place of the regulator/rectifier,etc) but you posted a picture of the Bosch ecm or brain box(ecu as I call it) and said you had two go out in your first post? Now it's the finned pdm modules that went out? Like I said,this gets confusing ...

 

I've had my ecm replaced once on my 07 500 efi. Now my battery light is flashing and its going from 12 volts to 18 volts depending on rpm. Would I need an ecm or pdm