Cold start engine light -- purpose?

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Jun 2, 2006 | 06:12 PM

tphillips

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 1,355

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From: Houston, Texas

Cold start engine light -- purpose?

When I bought my 2005 Ultra (fuel injected), as well as when I had my '03 Heritage, I was told that after turning on the ignition, I needed to wait until the orange/off-white engine light went out before I started the engine. What is going on during that time? Is the fuel being heated for ignition/combustion? What about starting procedures when the engine is warm -- should I still wait for that light to go out before starting the engine?

Thoughts / explanations on this, please... Thanks in advance.

Tod

Jun 2, 2006 | 07:04 PM

eddybo69

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 1,080

Likes: 0

From: MS

RE: Cold start engine light -- purpose?

I do not have an answer, but do have a thought on it. Since fuel injection requires some pressure other than plenum vacume it must be pressuring up. If I am wrong I am sure someone will let me know. I am only basing this on automotive experiance. ( any time you change from a carb to EFI you have to change fuel pumps to a higher pressure pump.

Jun 3, 2006 | 12:01 AM

Shovelhead Bob

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 2,537

Likes: 21

RE: Cold start engine light -- purpose?

The Reason for the initial CEL is so that the fuel pump can pressurize the system, the ECM can boot up and the sensors/actuators can be activated and start making the appropriate calibrated changes to the motor BEFORE it is started....

Sure you can start your bike on the fly, but it will take a while for it to run correctly, as the pump will try to catch up, the IAC has to go through it's cycle to allow the correct amount of air in the tract, etc.....