1990 electra glide electrical problem
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Stage I
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: houston
1990 electra glide electrical problem
Need some help,
I recently inherited my fathers Electra glide. it has been sitting for a couple years.
I strapped a battery on it and with a little TLC fired up. Rode great for about 10 to 15 minutes then seemed to have an electrical malfunction. Now I can start it and run for a minute then all the lights start flashing on and off and the engine cutting out simultaneously. Anybody?
I recently inherited my fathers Electra glide. it has been sitting for a couple years.
I strapped a battery on it and with a little TLC fired up. Rode great for about 10 to 15 minutes then seemed to have an electrical malfunction. Now I can start it and run for a minute then all the lights start flashing on and off and the engine cutting out simultaneously. Anybody?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
What is the condition of the battery, is it new, fully charged?
Make sure all battery connections are clean and secure (disconnect, clean and re connect all cables, positive and negative, both ends of cables).
Check the connections at the main breaker and the ignition switch.
If the battery is good (fully charged and load tested), and connections are good, replace the main breaker (they`re cheap).
Make sure all battery connections are clean and secure (disconnect, clean and re connect all cables, positive and negative, both ends of cables).
Check the connections at the main breaker and the ignition switch.
If the battery is good (fully charged and load tested), and connections are good, replace the main breaker (they`re cheap).
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jan 22, 2018 at 08:17 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 734
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From: Rochester NY
Do you see fuel being squirted in by accel pump? Will it run off a squirt of gas down the carb? Pull plug and check for spark. As said above check compression. When was air filter cleaned last.
Don't overlook ignition switch, it's gotten me twice before being dirty and intermittent killing my entire bike.
Don't overlook ignition switch, it's gotten me twice before being dirty and intermittent killing my entire bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,146
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From: South Carolina
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Thanks for the suggestions.
I confirmed power/connections, clean fuel and delivery, clean air filter, and strong spark. I swapped the plugs (which looked fine), leads, and coil in case they were the issue. Leakdown test confirmed good compression in both cylinders. I even looked for gremlins hiding in the cylinders (LOL). But ultimately it seemed likely to be a faulty crank position sensor so I swapped it out and boom, was back on the road! But other performance problems returned that have me stumped.
It runs pretty smoothly except it chokes and bogs when I give it heavy throttle, kind of like the S&S Super G carb was jetted totally wrong or accelerator pump wasn't working. The carb quite new and has been great all year, but just in case I gave it a good inspection and cleaning, checked for air leaks, even swapped out the jets. But it still runs like crap under heavy throttle, and in fact has occasionally sputtered and misfired again like the timing is wonky.
After consulting with a local Harley mechanic, we're starting to suspect maybe the Dynatek TC88 electronic ignition might be the culprit. Has anyone experienced that sort of thing? Could it be that when the crank sensor was failing it somehow sent whackadoodle signals to the ignition module that damaged its electronics? And if I have to replace it, is there a better option I should consider to pair with this S&S T124 LC crate engine? Or reckon I should just order a replacement TC88 and swap it out?
Thanks in advance for any ideas and guidance!
I confirmed power/connections, clean fuel and delivery, clean air filter, and strong spark. I swapped the plugs (which looked fine), leads, and coil in case they were the issue. Leakdown test confirmed good compression in both cylinders. I even looked for gremlins hiding in the cylinders (LOL). But ultimately it seemed likely to be a faulty crank position sensor so I swapped it out and boom, was back on the road! But other performance problems returned that have me stumped.
It runs pretty smoothly except it chokes and bogs when I give it heavy throttle, kind of like the S&S Super G carb was jetted totally wrong or accelerator pump wasn't working. The carb quite new and has been great all year, but just in case I gave it a good inspection and cleaning, checked for air leaks, even swapped out the jets. But it still runs like crap under heavy throttle, and in fact has occasionally sputtered and misfired again like the timing is wonky.
After consulting with a local Harley mechanic, we're starting to suspect maybe the Dynatek TC88 electronic ignition might be the culprit. Has anyone experienced that sort of thing? Could it be that when the crank sensor was failing it somehow sent whackadoodle signals to the ignition module that damaged its electronics? And if I have to replace it, is there a better option I should consider to pair with this S&S T124 LC crate engine? Or reckon I should just order a replacement TC88 and swap it out?
Thanks in advance for any ideas and guidance!
Last edited by mark busse; Sep 23, 2022 at 05:49 PM.
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