Motor problems!! HELP PLEASE!!
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Have similar setup but 40K of miles. Only time mine has ever done that in all these years was bad fuel. Took me 3 weeks to figure it out. First thing to go on a a FI with bad fuel or stopped up filter and sock is the idle. Could it be a bad fuel problem. Surely your bike has set a lot with that few a miles. Stick a small stiff plastic hose easily down into bottom of tank and suck out a few samples into some clean jars and let it set for a few and make sure no water or trash is on bottom. Could be just a bad connection anywhere including grounds.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: American by Birth, SOUTHERN by the Grace of GOD!
I thought about the fuel, but the bike has had 2 tanks run through it since problem began. Fuel may still be problem because of the ethanol in the premium gas I use. Hard to figure because my riding buddies all use same station to fill up! :-/ still stumped and thinking about the ICM and how it might relate to cold weather vs warmer weather! Still looking for advice and I know a lot of you have had a similar problem, so lets chime in so I can keep from going back to the stealer with my tail tucked between the cylinders! ;-)
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From: Honah Lee
Actually I had gone thru everthing but the gas and by the time I got the third full tank of ethanol fuel (all we have here on coast for last 10 years) in it when it healed itself. The station (did not normally use) that I had filled up the very day the problem started on the way home from work at 12AM dug up his tanks because of a leak about a month after my problem. Ethanol is what the gas dry product is for removing moisture in fuel. Ten % ethanol hurts nothing but a little water will.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Some of the machines out there will go into "limp mode" when they overheat shutting down one of the cylinders, often at stops when the heat builds.
No code? What everyone is asking is ... if you ran the diagnostic on it to check if it's sending a code number to tell you what may be failing. There is a self diagnostics as part of the entire system status of your bike. I don't know precisely how you "call up" the code on your ride but do you know about this?
The bike is 9 years old and the issue may be related to when it warms or heats up. Could be everything from a broken wire (hidden inside of insulation so you can't see it). When it heats it breaks contact and causes the adverse effect.
It could be the ignition module becoming intermittent.
You need to identify if it's running poorly due to an interruption of gas, or spark.
When you turn it off and turn it back on to start it, it may be resetting the ignition to run until it falters again. Unpredictable issues often are in the ignition. One test is to NOT SHUT OFF THE IGNITION the next time it dies and try to fire it right back up. This is also a good time to test for spark in any number of ways ... I just grab the wire and crank, if I get jolted then it's sparking, some use other methods but be certain you always have a plug and it's fully grounded or it will cause issues and damage the ignition system.
Last guess would be failing intake seals. There's many easy ways to test this if you don't know read up on the forum about Intake Seals
And as always .... If you don't have the service manual for your ride, buy one.
Hope some of this points you to the answer.
No code? What everyone is asking is ... if you ran the diagnostic on it to check if it's sending a code number to tell you what may be failing. There is a self diagnostics as part of the entire system status of your bike. I don't know precisely how you "call up" the code on your ride but do you know about this?
The bike is 9 years old and the issue may be related to when it warms or heats up. Could be everything from a broken wire (hidden inside of insulation so you can't see it). When it heats it breaks contact and causes the adverse effect.
It could be the ignition module becoming intermittent.
You need to identify if it's running poorly due to an interruption of gas, or spark.
When you turn it off and turn it back on to start it, it may be resetting the ignition to run until it falters again. Unpredictable issues often are in the ignition. One test is to NOT SHUT OFF THE IGNITION the next time it dies and try to fire it right back up. This is also a good time to test for spark in any number of ways ... I just grab the wire and crank, if I get jolted then it's sparking, some use other methods but be certain you always have a plug and it's fully grounded or it will cause issues and damage the ignition system.
Last guess would be failing intake seals. There's many easy ways to test this if you don't know read up on the forum about Intake Seals
And as always .... If you don't have the service manual for your ride, buy one.
Hope some of this points you to the answer.
Last edited by JohnnyC; Dec 25, 2012 at 07:18 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: American by Birth, SOUTHERN by the Grace of GOD!
I have a clymers manual that I have been referring to as I troubleshoot this problem. I'm leaning toward either a heat build up that causes the problem, or a fuel problem. I know, it's either or and I'm just hitting and missing. But my all trusted harley shop has declared it fixed each and every visit and now I know that they are slinging parts at it until its either fixed or I'm in the poor house! The engine acts as if its running out of gas, but the codes indicate a spark problem! So I'm stumped and in need of any and all advice. There has been some Pretty good leads here and as soon as it stops raining here, I'm going to dive into the problem head first! More advice needed!!! PLEASE!!?
Last edited by Cruzn34; Dec 25, 2012 at 07:27 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,298
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From: Honah Lee
Have you checked the resistance of the spark plug wires. front 4750-11,230 rear 1812-4375. Mist them and run it in the dark to check insulation. Also charge your battery 24 hours and pull it and have it checked at AutoZone on their fancy machine to be sure it has correct cold crank amps.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: American by Birth, SOUTHERN by the Grace of GOD!
Going to check that out tomorrow! Thanks for that advice! Anyone else? We have a true working diagnostic session going here and whatever I find that is wrong, I will keep posting as to maybe help,someone else down the line! I don't wish this nightmare on anyone!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: machesney park il
Guess it comes back to what you and I talked about. Good luck and let me know what you find out tomm. will have my cell on me, the number I sent you the text from.
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