2013 Softail Turning over but not firing - Help Please
2013 Softail Turning over but not firing - Help Please
To start I have a 2013 Softail, fuel injected.
A couple weeks ago I finally found time to put on the remaining parts of a chrome kit I purchased earlier this year. This involved removing the battery, draining the gas and lifting the tank to get to the rocker boxes, these were being replaced with chrome. I also replaced the tappet covers which meant taking the pushrods out. In addition I replaced the transmission gear cover and clutch cover with chrome parts. To get to the gear cover I removed the coil as well.
I got everything back together, gas in the tank, battery wired back up, coil and plug wires hooked back up.
I must have tried 6 or so times. It turned over with a strong battery (tested) but not firing up. I can't figure it out so I take a look at a few things and notice I have the spark plug wires swapped in the coil, front cylinder in back and visa versa. So I swap them to the correct position and nothing.
I have since added a full tank of new fuel, replaced the spark plugs, checked all battery connections, insured the quick disconnect hose for the fuel is on correctly. I've checked the fuses and tried numerous times to get the bike to fire up.
Out of all this there were 2 occasions where I got a couple pops while trying to start it. Seems it was really the sound of hope as it never went much further.
What could it be? I've gone back to the garage over the past 3 days, looked over the bike and tried firing it up but still nothing. Do you think my coil was damaged when I had the plug wires swapped? I haven't tested the the coil because I don't know how, is this the next step or is the bike destined for a trailer trip to the shop?
Thanks for the help.
A couple weeks ago I finally found time to put on the remaining parts of a chrome kit I purchased earlier this year. This involved removing the battery, draining the gas and lifting the tank to get to the rocker boxes, these were being replaced with chrome. I also replaced the tappet covers which meant taking the pushrods out. In addition I replaced the transmission gear cover and clutch cover with chrome parts. To get to the gear cover I removed the coil as well.
I got everything back together, gas in the tank, battery wired back up, coil and plug wires hooked back up.
I must have tried 6 or so times. It turned over with a strong battery (tested) but not firing up. I can't figure it out so I take a look at a few things and notice I have the spark plug wires swapped in the coil, front cylinder in back and visa versa. So I swap them to the correct position and nothing.
I have since added a full tank of new fuel, replaced the spark plugs, checked all battery connections, insured the quick disconnect hose for the fuel is on correctly. I've checked the fuses and tried numerous times to get the bike to fire up.
Out of all this there were 2 occasions where I got a couple pops while trying to start it. Seems it was really the sound of hope as it never went much further.
What could it be? I've gone back to the garage over the past 3 days, looked over the bike and tried firing it up but still nothing. Do you think my coil was damaged when I had the plug wires swapped? I haven't tested the the coil because I don't know how, is this the next step or is the bike destined for a trailer trip to the shop?
Thanks for the help.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
Are you getting fuel to the heads? - try to start it and pull the plug to check.
Are you getting spark to the spark plugs - pull the plug one at a time, leave it connected to the spark plug wire, lay the plug next to the motor and try to start it and see if it sparks....
Are you getting spark to the spark plugs - pull the plug one at a time, leave it connected to the spark plug wire, lay the plug next to the motor and try to start it and see if it sparks....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
I know the later ignitions use the map sensor as well as the crank position sensor to determine spark. Does leaving one spark plug in give enough vacuum to fool the EMS?
Thanks JMC22 and OldEnuf -
I'll check to see if I'm getting spark. I initially pulled both plugs and layed them next to the engine, I saw 1 spark (the front). I'll try one at a time and see if I can get both to spark. I'll also check to see if I smell fuel.
I do hear the fuel pump come on. I had even turned the ignition on and off in the event it would help get gas into the pump. I haven't check for codes but do have a power vision and could check those as well.
I can do these things tomorrow when I have some time to run through a few things. Once I complete these suggestions and any others that might come in I'll give an update.
Thanks for the help
I'll check to see if I'm getting spark. I initially pulled both plugs and layed them next to the engine, I saw 1 spark (the front). I'll try one at a time and see if I can get both to spark. I'll also check to see if I smell fuel.
I do hear the fuel pump come on. I had even turned the ignition on and off in the event it would help get gas into the pump. I haven't check for codes but do have a power vision and could check those as well.
I can do these things tomorrow when I have some time to run through a few things. Once I complete these suggestions and any others that might come in I'll give an update.
Thanks for the help
Not sure HarleyCruiser. I'll see what happens when I take the plug out tomorrow.
When I chatted with the guys at the Harley shop they mentioned checking fuses and insuring the coil was plugged in. All is fine there.
When I chatted with the guys at the Harley shop they mentioned checking fuses and insuring the coil was plugged in. All is fine there.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
Also I am old school, take a small amount of gas and squirt it in the spark plug holes, see if it starts.
Spark or gas, eliminate one go from there.
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So tonight I checked for codes using my power vision, nothing came up. I also took one spark plug out and while attached to the plug wire I placed the spark plug against the engine (near the spark plug hole) and no spark (is this the 'correct' method to test for spark). I did this with both spark plugs and neither created a spark. In addition I used different plug wires to rule out bad plug wires.
Next I'm guessing I need to test the wire that attaches to the coil. Though it's plugged into the coil it's possible it's bad. Now to figure out how to test that with my voltmeter. I would assume i need to test the coil as well but will need to figure that out as well.
I do have the harley security system. Though my fob is with me and the bike appears to except the fob, is it possible the security unit has an issue and isn't allowing spark? I did check to see if the thing was plugged in and it is. I don't believe this is it but I want to rule it out.
A bit frustrating but at least the weather has been crap.
Thanks again for help and advice.
Next I'm guessing I need to test the wire that attaches to the coil. Though it's plugged into the coil it's possible it's bad. Now to figure out how to test that with my voltmeter. I would assume i need to test the coil as well but will need to figure that out as well.
I do have the harley security system. Though my fob is with me and the bike appears to except the fob, is it possible the security unit has an issue and isn't allowing spark? I did check to see if the thing was plugged in and it is. I don't believe this is it but I want to rule it out.
A bit frustrating but at least the weather has been crap.
Thanks again for help and advice.
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