98 FXDL No Spark Issue

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Mar 15, 2017 | 11:21 AM

baadharley

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 4

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From: Sparks, NV

98 FXDL No Spark Issue

Hi,
I'm good at troubleshooting and very tech-savvy. Last started bike about a month ago and ran it for about 10 minutes, as it was only 30deg back then-everything was fine. Last Sun, I coasted bike into the driveway, fired right up, ran for about 2 minutes and flat DIED. Now, just cranks over and does not even attempt to start! Carb is getting and smell gas.

Always on a battery maintainer, but volts were at 12.5, so fully charged it and same result. Swapped out plugs, wires-tested coil and it ohms-out fine. Have 12V at the blk/wht wire...but no matter what, NO sparks using the factory idiot book test. As troubleshooting boredom set in, I hooked up a car 12V coil to the blk/wht wire, rear cylinder, and momentary connected the Neg wire while cranking and it fired!

I'm leaning towards BAD coil?? Though it checks fine? I've ordered an Accel super coil that hasn't yet arrived.

Just wanted to post this out there to see if my thinking is correct-the only parts left are the ign module and the cam sensor/module. I did swap out the ign module with a spare Compufire that I bought years ago, but not sure it is/was good...as had never used it before...and still no spark.

Thx!

Mar 15, 2017 | 12:18 PM

Jay Guild

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 4,998

Likes: 877

From: Iowa

I'd check the neg connections on the bike to make sure all connections are good to the frame. Do you hear the starter relay clicking?

Mar 15, 2017 | 12:52 PM

baadharley

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Sparks, NV

Hi Jay,
Yes, battery and connections all appear good, including kill switch. The starter engages perfectly and engine cranks over just fine-just no spark/combustion. Like I mentioned-everything ran fine for just minutes and just flat-out DIED. Cranks, won't fire and coil has primary power, but no spark...I will add that last time a very similar issue happened last year while riding...I had to coast to the side of the road and would not start.

I swapped out the E-3 plugs(no longer sold!!) that had been running fine for years...with the stock ones and fired right up. I then replaced with NGK Iridiums that have been running fine ever since...also, swapped those out with stock plugs/wires early-on when this recent issue just started on Sun.

Mar 15, 2017 | 01:12 PM

NORTY FLATZ

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 16,028

Likes: 7,150

From: Sandy Eggo's North County

I've witnessed the SE plugs failing. They just do, I guess. Replaced with NGK and fired right up. Put the SE's back in and nothing. Put the NGK's back in and rode for 4 more years. Went home and tossed the other NIB SE plugs in trash.

Mar 15, 2017 | 01:42 PM

14GuineaPig

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 3,492

Likes: 610

From: USA

Try this link. I think you should be able to open the Wiring Diagrams & Electrical Troubleshooting Guide. It has some good info for ignition troubleshooting.

https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....cle/lookupForm

Mar 15, 2017 | 02:43 PM

baadharley

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Sparks, NV

Thanks All! I may play around with a little more tonight...one thing I didn't try is bypassing the Pos coil wire direct to battery...tho it already has 12V. Also, should receive the new coil by Fri. Funny the parts were cheaper than JP Cycles direct from Accel website and no tax/free shipping. Don't even get me started on paying JP NV sales tax...