Bike died in the Rain yesterday..suggestions?

Drag0nSlayer · #1 06-22-2008, 08:56 AM

I had posted this yesterday in another section and thought I would put it here in the tech section,
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;I have a question, today on my way back from a 300 mile trip, my 2004 Road King ran perfectly, until I ran into a good downpour of rain, I exited the off ramp and my bike shut off, iI restarted and it went a few more feet and cut off again, it did this 2 more times , and I was able to nurse it home, something happened when the bike got real wet, any suggestions here? This bike has always been and still is serviced by HD, and is still currently under a extended warranty.
Update :
Well I called the original owner, and he had the same problem exist before and he took it to the dealership, and they thought it was a pinched fuel line, then the next time he took it to them, they said it was probably a defective on-off switch, I personally dont believe, it was either, seems like water found its way into the fuel or electrical system but dont know where, I have a k/n air filter system, I am going to take it to HD and see what kinda crap their going to feed me this time. if you think of anything else please post.
Thanks

Thanks let me know what you think please.

Sharknose · #2 06-22-2008, 06:03 PM

Did it run ok once again when the bike dried?&nbsp\\; check the easy stuff firstare both ends of your plug wires on tight?&nbsp\\; Any chance that water is somehow getting into your intake?&nbsp\\;

Drag0nSlayer · #3 06-22-2008, 07:39 PM

Hello,
yes the bike fired right up no problems, spark plug wires were tight, when it first cut off , i was coasting to the side of the road, i tried to jump start in in 3rd gear with no success, then i hit the starter button and it fired up and ran a few more feet then died, so i hit the starter button once again and she fiored up again, and finally stayed running the last 1.5 miles to the house.

jgcable · #4 06-22-2008, 07:44 PM

sounds electrical. Same thing happened to a buddy of mine. It was a combination of the connections getting wet under his dash and the connections getting wet under his tanks where the main wiring harnesses are.

Drag0nSlayer · #5 06-22-2008, 10:11 PM

Sounds reasonable, shes going to the dealership in the morning, ill keep you all posted as to what they find.
Thanks for your input !

Y2K · #6 06-22-2008, 11:32 PM

NAPA has silicone plugwire boot grease that keeps water out and also keeps the boot from sticking on the plug.

Drag0nSlayer · #7 06-23-2008, 04:13 AM

Good idea Y2K I dont believe I have that on my plugs yet, ill make sure I do that, Thanks !

Drag0nSlayer · #8 06-23-2008, 10:54 AM

Well after 2 hours of HD looking for problem, they have found nothing, funny thing is, I told them this occured as it was raining down me, they never put a drop of water on the bike, to try to recreate the problem, I left the bike with them and they said they would try to duplicate the issue by peforming the water test. I know more tomorrow morning.

Drag0nSlayer · #9 06-24-2008, 04:59 PM

UPDATE :
They found nothing wrong (uugh) they could not duplicate the problem, they said if it happens again, to bring it back (doh) no kiddin. I think Ill go over it my self again.

tjmac49 · #10 06-24-2008, 05:45 PM

DragonSlayer, I had a similar electrical problem with my UC while in a downpour.
It turned out to be a fuse.
The tech discovered corrosion inside the fuse box.
He coated it with the electrical grease and replaced the fuse.
No problems since then - and I was caught in the rain again!
Good luck!