2003 Dyna won't start!
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Homosassa
2003 Dyna won't start!
All,
I can't get my 2003 Dyna Superglide to start. Here's what happened:
I went for a ride a week ago, and it ran fine. I get home, pulled up to the garage and my truck is in the way. I shut it off, move the truck, and try and start the bike. it makes an enormous backfire, and now will not start.
Here's what I've done so far. I initially thought it might be a stretched cam chain or tensioner, but was not sure. I first did a compression test on both cylinders, and they both had 150psi, and very close to each other in pressure. I tested the plug wires, and there is spark from them both when I turn it over. I changed the factory petcock to a Pingel, thinking it might not be getting fuel. It squirts fuel when I pull the throttle.
During all of this, I found that the front cylinder spark plug threads were stripped. I chased them, and now can get the new spark plugs in. I did run a scope down the cylinder to make sure there weren't any shavings in there, and it was clean. Incidentally, this only has 7,000 miles on it, and the cylinder walls still had beautiful cross hatches on them.
After all of this, it will will not start. What do I do next?
I can't get my 2003 Dyna Superglide to start. Here's what happened:
I went for a ride a week ago, and it ran fine. I get home, pulled up to the garage and my truck is in the way. I shut it off, move the truck, and try and start the bike. it makes an enormous backfire, and now will not start.
Here's what I've done so far. I initially thought it might be a stretched cam chain or tensioner, but was not sure. I first did a compression test on both cylinders, and they both had 150psi, and very close to each other in pressure. I tested the plug wires, and there is spark from them both when I turn it over. I changed the factory petcock to a Pingel, thinking it might not be getting fuel. It squirts fuel when I pull the throttle.
During all of this, I found that the front cylinder spark plug threads were stripped. I chased them, and now can get the new spark plugs in. I did run a scope down the cylinder to make sure there weren't any shavings in there, and it was clean. Incidentally, this only has 7,000 miles on it, and the cylinder walls still had beautiful cross hatches on them.
After all of this, it will will not start. What do I do next?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
Nothing is free, ya gotta work for it. Do an Error Code Diagnostic Scan. Obviously you started swapping parts hoping to fix it to no avail. Fuel Moto has instructions on the scan and codes. Now it's time for you to do your homework.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 809
From: South Carolina
Ouch.... Man I'm going to go old school here... Pull both plugs to see if you have spark?
From there unplug and re plug everything, ignition module too.
Did it blow the plug out? Had a Mazda do that spark plug almost went thru the hood... When you're doing 90'ish that scares the **** out of you..
Good luck there sir
From there unplug and re plug everything, ignition module too.
Did it blow the plug out? Had a Mazda do that spark plug almost went thru the hood... When you're doing 90'ish that scares the **** out of you..
Good luck there sir
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 9,655
From: GA
Did you check the oil for engine glitter?
It sounds to me like the problem may be electrical, which Im not very good with, all I can recommend is to double check there are no issues with the main ground wire from your battery, corroded fuses, corroded ignition switch etc.
Is the factory wire harness intact? Has it been spliced anywhere? If so might want to take a look at wires in that area. Any wires with exposed copper?
It sounds to me like the problem may be electrical, which Im not very good with, all I can recommend is to double check there are no issues with the main ground wire from your battery, corroded fuses, corroded ignition switch etc.
Is the factory wire harness intact? Has it been spliced anywhere? If so might want to take a look at wires in that area. Any wires with exposed copper?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Homosassa
Did you check the oil for engine glitter?
It sounds to me like the problem may be electrical, which I’m not very good with, all I can recommend is to double check there are no issues with the main ground wire from your battery, corroded fuses, corroded ignition switch etc.
Is the factory wire harness intact? Has it been spliced anywhere? If so might want to take a look at wires in that area. Any wires with exposed copper?
It sounds to me like the problem may be electrical, which I’m not very good with, all I can recommend is to double check there are no issues with the main ground wire from your battery, corroded fuses, corroded ignition switch etc.
Is the factory wire harness intact? Has it been spliced anywhere? If so might want to take a look at wires in that area. Any wires with exposed copper?
It does get spark from both wires when I turn it over. Carburetor squirts fuel. Compression in both cylinders checks in at 150 psi. I scoped the jugs, and there is no debris inside. The crosshatch on the cylinder walls looks brand new. I am thinking maybe the crank sensor? I've changed these before on other bikes, but it has always been intermittent, not a sudden issue. Keep throwing ideas out there! I know it is (hopefully) something simple that I'm overlooking. I'm trying to avoid taking it to a shop, given it rode perfectly before this.
Last edited by CIC2016; Sep 4, 2021 at 06:32 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 1,212
From: New Hampsha
This often means you have intermittent ignition: off long enough to fill the exhaust with combustible mixture then on enough to light it off.
Old redneck trick: pull a plug out and hold a lighted match over the plug hole. if it makes a big "whoosh" you have fuel. If not, you don't. Caution, you can burn your fingers...
Old redneck trick: pull a plug out and hold a lighted match over the plug hole. if it makes a big "whoosh" you have fuel. If not, you don't. Caution, you can burn your fingers...
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 26
Likes: 16
From: Lake Stevens, Wa
I'm not familiar with your year/model, but I had similar symptoms with my 2011. If you have them, swap the starter & system relays. If it won't crank, or if it now runs, replace both relays. My system relay contacts were fried. Note: if you pull any fuses after a crank/no start, you probably erased any codes.
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