Cold start issues
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
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Cold start issues
I have 2014 street glide when left out side in cooler weather it does not like to start. Rolls over and tries to fire and some times pop back through the intake. Last time it did this I felt the pipes rear one was warm and the front one was cold. Has been to the dealer with no luck there as it was kept in side. And once it does fire up no issues after that I do keep it in a shop and it fires up every time with no issues. Thanks in advance
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From: State of Confusion
I have 2014 street glide when left out side in cooler weather it does not like to start. Rolls over and tries to fire and some times pop back through the intake. Last time it did this I felt the pipes rear one was warm and the front one was cold. Has been to the dealer with no luck there as it was kept in side. And once it does fire up no issues after that I do keep it in a shop and it fires up every time with no issues. Thanks in advance
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
How many miles on this bike?
Does it have any engine mods?
Was the bike ever tuned, or does it have the OEM factory tune?
Your symptoms seem to suggest it's running lean at start up. There are several reasons that could cause that. Your answers to the above questions will narrow it down.
Does it have any engine mods?
Was the bike ever tuned, or does it have the OEM factory tune?
Your symptoms seem to suggest it's running lean at start up. There are several reasons that could cause that. Your answers to the above questions will narrow it down.
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 11, 2026 at 08:45 AM.
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Since it's been modified and not tuned odd things like this are to be expected. Since the airflow through the engine is increased with your modifications the original cold start adjustments are just not correct when the temperatures are lower. In old school terms, it just needs a little more "choke" when its cold out.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,148
Likes: 11,222
From: San Diego, CA
You need to determine if it was actually firing on the front cylinder or not.... That would be another problem all together, than just hard cold starting...
Are there any Diagnostic Codes?
Backfiring through intake when cold starting suggests a lean condition. There are parts of the tune MAP that deal with enrichment during cold starting.
If you have the original map, but stage I mods, that will make you lean... but if it was running OK before with the same mods & tune.. we need to figure out what has changed.
Any decel popping or backfiring when it runs, once started and at operating temps?
You could have an intake leak, or even a dirty, restricted air cleaner filter, that is making the engine more lean than before.... or....
Don't discount the possibility of a weak battery as suggested by Keithhu.... A load test of the battery is pretty easy to do....
Are there any Diagnostic Codes?
Backfiring through intake when cold starting suggests a lean condition. There are parts of the tune MAP that deal with enrichment during cold starting.
If you have the original map, but stage I mods, that will make you lean... but if it was running OK before with the same mods & tune.. we need to figure out what has changed.
Any decel popping or backfiring when it runs, once started and at operating temps?
You could have an intake leak, or even a dirty, restricted air cleaner filter, that is making the engine more lean than before.... or....
Don't discount the possibility of a weak battery as suggested by Keithhu.... A load test of the battery is pretty easy to do....
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 11, 2026 at 12:20 PM.