engine died???
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Stage II
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
engine died???
I was riding down the freeway one morning, traveling about 65mph when my bike just died. The lights stayed on and the electrical system seemed to work fine. After I finally got over to the side of the road (very life changing experience), I tried to start it 3 times. Each time it would start and quit one second later. Sitting there in the dark thinking on what was my next step to get this bike home at 4am, no answer came. Five to ten minutes pasted. I tried starting it again and it started right up. I completed my journey to work and back home (40 mile round trip) with no more problems. I DON"T want to do that again so was wondering if there is enough info here to diagnose the problem?
I will try and give all the pertinent info:
2006 Softail Standard with fuel injection, 1450 cc
I have only riden it about once a month for the past six months...to the point of having to charge the battery twice.
Fuel tank had 4 gallons of gas, I use 91 octane always
I had been on the freeway for about 10 minutes so everything was warmed up.
I am hoping that it may just be the gas was old and somehow clog the line and that some type of fuel additive and new gas will correct the problem.
As I said it hasn't happened again but I would like to be sure it doesn't. Right now I don't have enough confidence to ride anywhere but in the right most lane for easy exit.
I will try and give all the pertinent info:
2006 Softail Standard with fuel injection, 1450 cc
I have only riden it about once a month for the past six months...to the point of having to charge the battery twice.
Fuel tank had 4 gallons of gas, I use 91 octane always
I had been on the freeway for about 10 minutes so everything was warmed up.
I am hoping that it may just be the gas was old and somehow clog the line and that some type of fuel additive and new gas will correct the problem.
As I said it hasn't happened again but I would like to be sure it doesn't. Right now I don't have enough confidence to ride anywhere but in the right most lane for easy exit.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Could have gulped up some residual water from condensation at the bottom of the tank if the same fuel has been in there that long. You did say old fuel in your post? Definately sounds fuel related .
Ron
Ron
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Charge your battery and then pull the battery out (be sure to unplug the maxi fuse) and take it to an auto parts store where they can load test it. If it passes with flying colors keep it and make sure all connections including the ground strap are tight. If not get a new battery and see if it happens again...just carry a roll of TP with you....
Oh yeah...if you get a new battery and it happens again...check your fuel pump, lines, injectors
Oh yeah...if you get a new battery and it happens again...check your fuel pump, lines, injectors
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
First, thanks for responding.
I check the battery and everything was tight. Do you still think it may be the battery when the lights and starter never quit working?
The gas was about a month old. If it was just bad gas wouldn't it run bad from the start. It ran great until it stop and then when it did start it ran just fine again.
It may have been water condensation or particles that clogged the injector is my guess. I was thinking maybe some type of cleaner may help. But that may just make the problem come back if it cleans old particles out and runs them through the system.
Anyway thanks again I will try the battery test if you still think that can be the problem. Does anyone think it would be harmful to run some cleaner (textron) with the gas?
I check the battery and everything was tight. Do you still think it may be the battery when the lights and starter never quit working?
The gas was about a month old. If it was just bad gas wouldn't it run bad from the start. It ran great until it stop and then when it did start it ran just fine again.
It may have been water condensation or particles that clogged the injector is my guess. I was thinking maybe some type of cleaner may help. But that may just make the problem come back if it cleans old particles out and runs them through the system.
Anyway thanks again I will try the battery test if you still think that can be the problem. Does anyone think it would be harmful to run some cleaner (textron) with the gas?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
Does it have the stock handlebars? Maybe there is a pinched wire? It is almost as if you are hitting the kill switch. You might check that for a loose wire,etc..
I would think if it was a bad ignition switch your lights would go out also.
Tom
I would think if it was a bad ignition switch your lights would go out also.
Tom
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Solvang, Ca
Definitly not a battery problem. Once started the bike will and should run even with the battery completly disconnected. the fact that the lights and starter never stopped working is the indication that you need to look elsewhere. I wouldn't even pull and test the battery unless it starts not holding a charge and wont turn the bike over.
Sounds fuel related. It does not take much of a water drop to keep the bike from running correctly.
I would also check all the plugs under the seat and that have anything to do with the computer. I washed my bike and the plug from the power Commander to the ignition module was not as water tite as I would have liked. The bike ran like sheite untill I opened the plug and dried it out with compressed air.
Gas isn't really old after a month, If your racing maybe but not in your case. A year in the tank and you might want to look at it.
The intermittent problems are the worst to find, much easier when it breaks and stays broken.
I say ride it like there is nothing wrong, most likely you will be right.
Sounds fuel related. It does not take much of a water drop to keep the bike from running correctly.
I would also check all the plugs under the seat and that have anything to do with the computer. I washed my bike and the plug from the power Commander to the ignition module was not as water tite as I would have liked. The bike ran like sheite untill I opened the plug and dried it out with compressed air.
Gas isn't really old after a month, If your racing maybe but not in your case. A year in the tank and you might want to look at it.
The intermittent problems are the worst to find, much easier when it breaks and stays broken.
I say ride it like there is nothing wrong, most likely you will be right.
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