Evo Ignition Troubles
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 21
From: Adirondacks
Evo Ignition Troubles
I've had my 1990 FLHS strand me on the way to work twice in the past two weeks. Checked fuel system and for grounded wires and believe it's got to be ignition based on symptoms and work so far. Does the ignition pick up in the engine ever fail or is it usually the ignition module. System is OEM stock.
Thanks.
Frank
Thanks.
Frank
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,712
Likes: 3,030
From: Brighton, MI
Pick up in the cam cover nose cone has a history for some. There is a plastic potting material for the circuitry that starts to ooze out when failing. Might be a good idea to pull the riveted cover and give it a look.
Lots of posts regarding the problem. Should not be hard to find, but maybe a better description of your problem?
After the bike bike cools down does it start again? No start when hot? No spark? Etc YD
Lots of posts regarding the problem. Should not be hard to find, but maybe a better description of your problem?
After the bike bike cools down does it start again? No start when hot? No spark? Etc YD
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I had exactly the problem YD describes on my 1990 FLHS (owned from new). It played up for quite a while before finally packing up altogether during rush-hour heading for London - in the outside lane of a busy highway, where I had to be rescued by the Police! Check yours as a first thing. The replacement never gave any problems.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 21
From: Adirondacks
Was on the way to work and both times it died within 2 miles of my house. 2 lane, no traffic, 45 mph speed limit and doing all of that. Just getting warmed up then dead. Left it both times in a driveway -nice to live in a rural area- then came back from work to fire it up and drive away running well. No time to troubleshoot at time of failure. Probably going to put points in it. Never had them leave me roadside. Will definitely vheck the pickup though.
Last edited by fshaw; Sep 19, 2018 at 06:57 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Beyond Fucital
So if I'm following you correctly, you're riding home from work and it's just starting to warm up?
So about 2 miles from work and 2 mile still to go to get home?
I'd check the pick-up in the cam cover first like mentioned.
So about 2 miles from work and 2 mile still to go to get home?
I'd check the pick-up in the cam cover first like mentioned.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 21
From: Adirondacks
On the way to work, 2 miles from home, just heating up with 35 miles to go. Will check the pickup. Other than visible oozing or obvious deformation, is it possible to diagnose an intermittantly bad pickup?
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
What we have told you is that the most likely diagnosis will be pretty obvious. The pick-up will look mishapen and very obviously not right. It takes little more time than it does to write a message in here to check yours! As for points you obviously haven't ridden with them very much, as they are even more troublesome than electronic ignition. I have had one failure of electronic ignition and I've owned bikes with it since the '70s, also owned points bikes which I have converted to electronic - way better! If your pick-up looks good your FSM tells you how to check it in section 8.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Adirondacks
Actually grbrown I have ridden Harleys with points quite a bit, starting with a 57 Panhead hardtail a little over 40 years ago. As I said, Ive never been left by the side of the road by them. Flew a 56 Cessna 172 around the US, over 6,500 miles and over 90 hours, it has points as do nearly all certified GA aircraft. Over the years I havent had much luck with the if it looks good it is good form of troubleshooting on intermittant electrical problems. Your reply didnt add anything to the conversation and seems a bit condescending.
Last edited by fshaw; Sep 20, 2018 at 04:57 AM.
