'03 Low Rider runnning like crap, need help
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So does anybody know what the values are when checking the coils with a meter? I can read what I have but I don't know if they will be right or not. Also I know from past experience that coils can work fine but can start to break down when they get hot. I was thinking I might take the coils off, check the values cold then heat them up say in an oven a bit, (not real hot) and then check them again.
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I hope I found the problem but I will have to wait untill I can get a new coil tomorrow. I removed the coil to check it and the connections to it. What I saw on a physical examination was a pretty good crack around the circumferance at the base of the rear cylinder plug wire tower. It goes at least 25% of the way around the base and extends out to the edge of the case. Pretty good odds I have been having spark loss jumping to the cover which would be a real good explanation of my problem. I am not really going to go much further right now untill I can get a new coil. I want to see if that fixes it. Even if it doesn't, with crack in the coil, I need a new one anyway.
While I am on this subject, I have had several people reccomend I try a Screaming Eagle coil and ignition module. Most of the ones I have seen say they are for high compression engines and retards the spark. Mine is not, it is a stock cyl and head. What are the thoughts on these from you folks? (problem is, Harley does not sell the Screaming Eagle ignition module anymore for my bike, the only ones I can find are on places like Ebay)
While I am on this subject, I have had several people reccomend I try a Screaming Eagle coil and ignition module. Most of the ones I have seen say they are for high compression engines and retards the spark. Mine is not, it is a stock cyl and head. What are the thoughts on these from you folks? (problem is, Harley does not sell the Screaming Eagle ignition module anymore for my bike, the only ones I can find are on places like Ebay)
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,554
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From: Ottawa Canada
I hope I found the problem but I will have to wait untill I can get a new coil tomorrow. I removed the coil to check it and the connections to it. What I saw on a physical examination was a pretty good crack around the circumferance at the base of the rear cylinder plug wire tower. It goes at least 25% of the way around the base and extends out to the edge of the case. Pretty good odds I have been having spark loss jumping to the cover which would be a real good explanation of my problem. I am not really going to go much further right now untill I can get a new coil. I want to see if that fixes it. Even if it doesn't, with crack in the coil, I need a new one anyway.
While I am on this subject, I have had several people reccomend I try a Screaming Eagle coil and ignition module. Most of the ones I have seen say they are for high compression engines and retards the spark. Mine is not, it is a stock cyl and head. What are the thoughts on these from you folks? (problem is, Harley does not sell the Screaming Eagle ignition module anymore for my bike, the only ones I can find are on places like Ebay)
While I am on this subject, I have had several people reccomend I try a Screaming Eagle coil and ignition module. Most of the ones I have seen say they are for high compression engines and retards the spark. Mine is not, it is a stock cyl and head. What are the thoughts on these from you folks? (problem is, Harley does not sell the Screaming Eagle ignition module anymore for my bike, the only ones I can find are on places like Ebay)
Cracked coil sounds like your issue, if you have a buddy with an HD you could try swapping coil for a few minutes to see if things get better.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
Here's another idea, usually when the crank position sensor goes out it affects all rpm, maybe yours is giving up the ghost at 3-3.5k rpm. Replace the sensor, if it doesn't work at least you have one for the future. Not much on the ignition electrics on the 02. Saw the same prob on an older Dodge Dakota. That sensor sends the firing signal to the coil.
Last edited by seniorsuperglideE8; Mar 27, 2011 at 07:35 PM.
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Ok, update. I had to wait untill Monday, (yesterday) to get a coil. I went to my local HD dealer. They did not have one in stock, nor did any of the other dealers in the area.
So I went to the shop that had been working on the bike. They do a lot of custom work and aftermarket performance upgrades. As such, he had several good, almost new stock coils and ignition modules that had been removed. He charged me $20.00 for a the coil and $20.00 for a module. SO, I was actually fortunate that the HD dealer didn't have one, they wanted $100.00 for just a coil.
Went home put the coil on and that made a big differance but still not perfect, so I went ahead and put the module on. Now it seems to be fine but given the intermittant nature of the problem, I will give it some time before I decide it is fixed.
With that, while trying to fix the problem, the shop had rejetted the carb. I think the stock jets are 190's, when he did the exhaust and breather upgrades last year, he took it up to 195. A couple of weeks ago while trying to fix my problem, he took it up to 200. Now that I know it isn't fuel related, I am thinking about taking it back down to 195 to get a little of the fuel economy back which right now just sucks. Any ideas on this out there?
So I went to the shop that had been working on the bike. They do a lot of custom work and aftermarket performance upgrades. As such, he had several good, almost new stock coils and ignition modules that had been removed. He charged me $20.00 for a the coil and $20.00 for a module. SO, I was actually fortunate that the HD dealer didn't have one, they wanted $100.00 for just a coil.
Went home put the coil on and that made a big differance but still not perfect, so I went ahead and put the module on. Now it seems to be fine but given the intermittant nature of the problem, I will give it some time before I decide it is fixed.
With that, while trying to fix the problem, the shop had rejetted the carb. I think the stock jets are 190's, when he did the exhaust and breather upgrades last year, he took it up to 195. A couple of weeks ago while trying to fix my problem, he took it up to 200. Now that I know it isn't fuel related, I am thinking about taking it back down to 195 to get a little of the fuel economy back which right now just sucks. Any ideas on this out there?
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Do you know what the stock jets are? Again it is a 2003 FXDL 88TC carburated.
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OK, now that I have had some time to put some miles on it, I think I can say the coil and ignition module fixed the problem. With that, i took the .200 jet out of the carb and went down to the .195.
I found out that .190 is stock but with the breather, cams and exhaust, I was thinking the .195 would be a bit more appropriate.
For right now, seems to be running pretty good.
I found out that .190 is stock but with the breather, cams and exhaust, I was thinking the .195 would be a bit more appropriate.
For right now, seems to be running pretty good.
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Joe Kucinski
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Langley, BC. Canada
intermittent problem
Is your bike still running ok? I have the same problem and it is extremely intermittent. I just got home from a 4100 mile trip and it happened twice. Pulling the enricher out really helps it, so I can't figure out how it can be electrical, but what do I know. It really feels like a vacuum problem to me because the fuel petcock is operated by vacuum and a vacuum leak would probably reduce fuel flow and cause the lean condition that it seriously seems to be.
I am also having a sudden quiting problem and turning off the ignition switch and turning it back on immediately solves the problem. This happened four times on my trip. I read on another thread that this is probably a crank sensor issue.
My bike is a 2001 Wide Glide with carburetor.
Any help would be appreciated. I would prefer not to start a new thread, but will if I have to.
Cheers,
Don
I am also having a sudden quiting problem and turning off the ignition switch and turning it back on immediately solves the problem. This happened four times on my trip. I read on another thread that this is probably a crank sensor issue.
My bike is a 2001 Wide Glide with carburetor.
Any help would be appreciated. I would prefer not to start a new thread, but will if I have to.
Cheers,
Don
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
Her's another real simple test. Test ride the bike with the gas cap on loose, I'm wondering if the tank isn't venting to the atmosphere and allowing full fuel to the carb. If that's the case a new cap may be in order.