Strange Issue
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
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From: Connecticut
Strange Issue
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
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
I've seen that 3 times on Evos with one of those being mine. Each time a bad coil was the culprit. Each time the tach would read low, then jump high and be very erratic all other times.
There was a thread (or several) concerning this a good while back and I honestly don't know how they ever turned out or even whether the originator even posted a follow-up concerning the outcome. I just tried a search, breifly and didn't find it. Considering the coil is new and assuming the wires are NOT solid wire (that's a no-no on electronic ignition) you may have other issues, hopefully simple as a bad connection.
The tach connects directly to the coil. You might chase down that wire and check those connections. Also, the wires that come out of the nose cone from the pickup can become damaged even though they've seldom if ever been disturbed and the break can sometimes difficult if not impossible to see causing all kinds of intermitent problems. An overcharging system can make things act up also. And, there is a possibility the tach is bad, shorting out the coil intermitently and eventually causing it to overheat and fail.
Sorry I can't offer some more experienced suggestions, but welcome to the Evo section. There are a good number of really sharp guys who frequent this section and everyone here is serious about helping everyone out, in most any way. Be patient and I'm sure among the members suggestions, you'll get it straightened out soon.
There was a thread (or several) concerning this a good while back and I honestly don't know how they ever turned out or even whether the originator even posted a follow-up concerning the outcome. I just tried a search, breifly and didn't find it. Considering the coil is new and assuming the wires are NOT solid wire (that's a no-no on electronic ignition) you may have other issues, hopefully simple as a bad connection.
The tach connects directly to the coil. You might chase down that wire and check those connections. Also, the wires that come out of the nose cone from the pickup can become damaged even though they've seldom if ever been disturbed and the break can sometimes difficult if not impossible to see causing all kinds of intermitent problems. An overcharging system can make things act up also. And, there is a possibility the tach is bad, shorting out the coil intermitently and eventually causing it to overheat and fail.
Sorry I can't offer some more experienced suggestions, but welcome to the Evo section. There are a good number of really sharp guys who frequent this section and everyone here is serious about helping everyone out, in most any way. Be patient and I'm sure among the members suggestions, you'll get it straightened out soon.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
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From: Midwest
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.
Last edited by Sharknose; Aug 24, 2009 at 02:28 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Yep sounds like a wire/bad coil, however I've seen a bad Tach do the same thing. Unhook the tach wire and see if your problem goes away, if it does then replace the tach. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
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From: Connecticut
OK, I traced out the wire and there is a wire connector/clip under the tach that goes down to another wire connector/clip above the coil. There are 4 wires within the harness so just replacing the 2 wires from the back of the coil to the tach is highly unlikely without replacing the entire harness. However, the wires themselves are very well sealed and does not appear to be any chance of the wires being corroded. Which leaves me with the thought that the tach itself may be bad.
Who knows, maybe it got caught out in the rain a few too many times.
I'll try and replace the tach and let you know where that leaves me.
Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted.
Who knows, maybe it got caught out in the rain a few too many times.
I'll try and replace the tach and let you know where that leaves me.
Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
OK, getting beyond frustrated with this issue, The sputtering has returned, the burnt spark plug again, and un-ridable.
This is a brand new coil, 4th set of plugs, new plug wires, new wires to the coil from the tach (finally did that last night) and the tach is still going ape **** and the sputtering and backfiring has returned.
Does anyone know a trustworthy mechanic in or around Wallingford CT?
This is a brand new coil, 4th set of plugs, new plug wires, new wires to the coil from the tach (finally did that last night) and the tach is still going ape **** and the sputtering and backfiring has returned.
Does anyone know a trustworthy mechanic in or around Wallingford CT?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
Gravedigger, like I said in my first post, there's a lot of knowledge and helpful people in this section of the forums, but ya gotta have a little patience with yourself... And it's been mentioned at least twice the tach could be bad, shorting out the ignition. Have you tried it with the tach disconnected to eliminate that possibility? ???
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 3
I do not now how the ignition works on the newer bikes but have you checked your pick up or the wires coming out of the nose cone for damage? You might also go through the charging system you might also be losing juice to your ignition when the bike is warmed up.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Gravedigger, like I said in my first post, there's a lot of knowledge and helpful people in this section of the forums, but ya gotta have a little patience with yourself... And it's been mentioned at least twice the tach could be bad, shorting out the ignition. Have you tried it with the tach disconnected to eliminate that possibility? ???
You're right, I need a touch more patience.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
If ya never get frustrated, you obviously never turned a wrench
It just helps when information and "trials and errors" are know rather than guessed. Hang in there...