Strange Issue
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
My FXR didn't have a tach so I couldn't address that part of the conversation...However, once I did experience some of the other symptoms while on a ride. Everything was fine, then it started coughing and farting and the battery finally ran down. I ended up having to replace the ignition module, stator and regulator. Your service manual will give you the voltages that you're supposed to see across the various terminals so you might want to check those and see if they're working right.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 20
From: Eagle River WI
What about when the tach shows 6000 rpm that the rev limiter in the ign mod shuts off firing to one of the cylinders I guess if the tach was disconnected and it still acted up that theory is out ! Bad ign mod ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Is this a carb or EFI bike? Single fire or waste spark? OEM ignition or aftermarket?
The rev limiter in the ignition module is independant of the tach. In other words, it doesn't kill the ignition based on something the tach says, but based on what it figgers internally. However, if for some reason the ignition module is getting the incorrect timing signal, it will fire the coil accordingly, which could be read by the tach and presented as jumping all over, because that's what the module thought was going on.
So, tach jumping when engine speed is steady combined with engine missing/acting up. Is that about it for symptoms? While a bad tach might short out the coil, disconnecting it and not eliminating the problem rules that out. If we assume the tach is not defective, then the jumping RPM level is from a jumping, erratic timing at the coil. What would cause that? Bad ignition module, bad pickup (cone), bad wires between, bad voltage to the system/bad rectifier.
Assuming you have a OEM ignition system and not some aftermarket stuff (like the Crane units that 50% of "my bike won't start" problems seem to be traced down to, I wonder why Crane went OOB) then go through the shop manual with a ohm meter and do all the checks on the ignition system. If something is out of spec, replace that. Make sure the charging system is doing OK.
The rev limiter in the ignition module is independant of the tach. In other words, it doesn't kill the ignition based on something the tach says, but based on what it figgers internally. However, if for some reason the ignition module is getting the incorrect timing signal, it will fire the coil accordingly, which could be read by the tach and presented as jumping all over, because that's what the module thought was going on.
So, tach jumping when engine speed is steady combined with engine missing/acting up. Is that about it for symptoms? While a bad tach might short out the coil, disconnecting it and not eliminating the problem rules that out. If we assume the tach is not defective, then the jumping RPM level is from a jumping, erratic timing at the coil. What would cause that? Bad ignition module, bad pickup (cone), bad wires between, bad voltage to the system/bad rectifier.
Assuming you have a OEM ignition system and not some aftermarket stuff (like the Crane units that 50% of "my bike won't start" problems seem to be traced down to, I wonder why Crane went OOB) then go through the shop manual with a ohm meter and do all the checks on the ignition system. If something is out of spec, replace that. Make sure the charging system is doing OK.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
OK, After freaking out on the dealership, They are sending me to Pacemaker Choppers in East Hartford CT. Swearing to me that these guys will find the problem and fix it. As soon as they give me their diagnosis, I will share with you all.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 2
From: Sigourney, Iowa
I wouldn't take my '86 FXRS to a HD Dealer anymore than I would've considered taking my GTO to a Pontiac Dealer (Sold it to buy the HD!). They have no clue about "vintage/ classic" stuff, and the feeling is kind of mutual although they are very nice folks.
I have an Independent Shop about 35 miles away that IF it had something wrong I didn't want to handle, it would go there. The nice thing about Evo's is that with a manual, a few tools, and your friends on this forum, you can pretty much do everything to 'em. Who could ask for more?
I have an Independent Shop about 35 miles away that IF it had something wrong I didn't want to handle, it would go there. The nice thing about Evo's is that with a manual, a few tools, and your friends on this forum, you can pretty much do everything to 'em. Who could ask for more?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
OK, it took me forever to get the bike back. Didn't go to an HD dealer. Went to a custom Chopper Place in East Hartford CT. (Pacemaker Choppers in cas you were wondering).
Here's the scoop, The front plug kept fowling out because Oil was killin it. The seals and rings on the inside of the cylinder were shot. The rings were breaking down leaving metal shavings on the magnetic peice that sends the pulse to the tachometer and screwing up the tach.
This required a rebuild of the engine. Good thing it was under warranty huh? The Custom shop fixed it and the dealer flipped the bill.
So, that's the story. I'm just glad I got my bike back while there's still some riding season left.
Thank you all for your suggestions and words of wisdom. You guys all rock!!!
Here's the scoop, The front plug kept fowling out because Oil was killin it. The seals and rings on the inside of the cylinder were shot. The rings were breaking down leaving metal shavings on the magnetic peice that sends the pulse to the tachometer and screwing up the tach.
This required a rebuild of the engine. Good thing it was under warranty huh? The Custom shop fixed it and the dealer flipped the bill.
So, that's the story. I'm just glad I got my bike back while there's still some riding season left.
Thank you all for your suggestions and words of wisdom. You guys all rock!!!
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 375
Likes: 4
From: St. Peters, Missouri
Considering the FXR is a Dyna Model, I assume it can be posted in here. If I'm wrong, please let me know as I'm new to these forums.
I have an ongoing issue with my 2000 FXR4.
I was riding and it started backfiring, and sputtering, and the tachometer was going haywire between 3000 RPM to 6000 RPM.
Now I know the backfiring and sputtering usually means it's sucking air. However, in this case, my front spark plug decided to die. So, I change the spark plugs
, and it's going kind of OK again. Gets me home anyway, but the tachometer is still going haywire.
I brought it to the dealer, explained what was happening, they changed the plugs, wires and the coil. This seemed to do the trick for about a week, then the tach is going stupid again which is usually the precurser to the same problem uccurring again.
Anyone have any suggestions? I'm getting rather frustrated with this.
Any and all serious replies are quite welcome as I'm at my wits end here. I've only had the bike for 2 weeks and this is feeling like a rip off.
Thanks
I have an ongoing issue with my 2000 FXR4.
I was riding and it started backfiring, and sputtering, and the tachometer was going haywire between 3000 RPM to 6000 RPM.
Now I know the backfiring and sputtering usually means it's sucking air. However, in this case, my front spark plug decided to die. So, I change the spark plugs
, and it's going kind of OK again. Gets me home anyway, but the tachometer is still going haywire.I brought it to the dealer, explained what was happening, they changed the plugs, wires and the coil. This seemed to do the trick for about a week, then the tach is going stupid again which is usually the precurser to the same problem uccurring again.
Anyone have any suggestions? I'm getting rather frustrated with this.
Any and all serious replies are quite welcome as I'm at my wits end here. I've only had the bike for 2 weeks and this is feeling like a rip off.
Thanks
On behalf of other current/previous FXR owners--it's NOT a "Dyna model"!!! The FXR was its own line until it was discontinued around 95 in favor of the cheaper Dyna. HD brought them back as a limited edition FXR3 & FXR4 about 10 years ago.
And like the other poster said, you might check the wires to the back of the coil (not the plug wire). I had an experience similar to yours and one of the wires that attached to the back of the coil wasn't making good contact inside the connector. It was one of those irritating intermittent things that had me puzzled until one day the wire just fell out of the connector.
Oh...and remember that HD dealerships tend to prefer to work on newer models. Even though your bike is a 2000 model, for all practical purposes your bike is 20 years old (see above). Find yourself an independent wrench who's been around for a while and you'll probably be happier.
And like the other poster said, you might check the wires to the back of the coil (not the plug wire). I had an experience similar to yours and one of the wires that attached to the back of the coil wasn't making good contact inside the connector. It was one of those irritating intermittent things that had me puzzled until one day the wire just fell out of the connector.
Oh...and remember that HD dealerships tend to prefer to work on newer models. Even though your bike is a 2000 model, for all practical purposes your bike is 20 years old (see above). Find yourself an independent wrench who's been around for a while and you'll probably be happier.
Thank you, Sharknose...
The FXR was introduced in 1982, and discontinued in 1994.
Then the MOCO re-introduced it in 1999 as the FXR2 and FXR3, and
then again in 2000 as the FXR4. This was the beginning of the CVO, or the
Screamin' Eagle machines we see today.
It's my understanding that Eric Buell was instrumental in the design of the FXR. It's also been said the the FXR was designed by Mr. Buell to handle superbly, and it's replacement, the FXD, was designed by Harley accountants to make money.
It's a wonderful machine. You're lucky you have one!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
One the very best handling bikes the MOCO ever built was the FXRP. The fairing was funky-looking, but it worked out there in the wind. I think we all missed it so much...they brought it back as the Road Glide.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,430
Likes: 2,632
From: NC USA
Road Glide or Sport Glide? I thought the Road Glide had reversed trees like the FLs (Tour Glide)... I could be mistaken, have been before...
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
You're right. The Road Glide is in the dresser family with the offset trees. I was actually refering to the shape of the fairing on the Road Glide as it resembled the fairing on the FXRP. Now that I think on it, they also had a Tour Glide with a similar fairing that was dropped somewhere along 1995. That FXRP was a real popular bike with all the law enforcement folks and I had one at one time.