Surging issue when fuel low
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
Surging issue when fuel low
Seen this posted on other forums and I have experienced it on my girl's 500.
When the low light comes on, the bike sputters and surges similar to what a carbed bike does when you flip the reserve switch and the fuel pump is waiting to get fed.
Contacting the dealer about it. Word is Harley knows of the issue and is replacing the fuel pump on affected bikes. We shall see. Nice enough bike for $6200 though and great beginner that helps eliminate a lot of those 'beginner' oops
When the low light comes on, the bike sputters and surges similar to what a carbed bike does when you flip the reserve switch and the fuel pump is waiting to get fed.
Contacting the dealer about it. Word is Harley knows of the issue and is replacing the fuel pump on affected bikes. We shall see. Nice enough bike for $6200 though and great beginner that helps eliminate a lot of those 'beginner' oops
6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Interesting... I was just at the dealer near me this past weekend and test rode the street 750. The fuel light was on, but they said that there should be enough gas for a test ride. I noticed right a way when taking off there was lag when I pulled the throttle and bucking. I stalled at a light trying to take off (Embarrassing) and took me some to get going. All the while, when switching gears there was that surging that you mentioned. First the lag, then bam!
By the time we got to the turn around, I hopped on the Sportster Iron 883. (was testing both). I had no issues with the Sportster, so it wasn't me.
The guy from the dealer, couldn't get the bike going and kept stalling out, so I wne on without him and he had to have somone come back for him. He said it was out of gas, but there was enough gas to move the bike when it was going, so now it makes sense. I wound up getting the Sportster.
By the time we got to the turn around, I hopped on the Sportster Iron 883. (was testing both). I had no issues with the Sportster, so it wasn't me.
The guy from the dealer, couldn't get the bike going and kept stalling out, so I wne on without him and he had to have somone come back for him. He said it was out of gas, but there was enough gas to move the bike when it was going, so now it makes sense. I wound up getting the Sportster.
Last edited by CrapperJohn; May 20, 2015 at 11:47 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I have found out the same thing on my 750. On long rides I always get to the point that the low fuel light comes on. If I have to accelerate to pass or have a stop intersection and give it the gas it will starve out.
Happens every time the low fuel light is on. I have always gotten going by light use of the throttle.
There does seem to be an issue with fuel starvation right at the point it is down to the low fuel level.
I have forgotten to tell the dealer. This thread reminds me to do that. Don't know if there is a issue with the fuel pick up not or just can't accelerate strong when low on fuel. I have ridden 20 to 30 miles to the station after the light came on. Just had to use light throttle application.
Happens every time the low fuel light is on. I have always gotten going by light use of the throttle.
There does seem to be an issue with fuel starvation right at the point it is down to the low fuel level.
I have forgotten to tell the dealer. This thread reminds me to do that. Don't know if there is a issue with the fuel pick up not or just can't accelerate strong when low on fuel. I have ridden 20 to 30 miles to the station after the light came on. Just had to use light throttle application.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Scheduled a service next week on the issue. It is not the fuel pump but a fitting into it. They try to correct the fitting first. If that doesn't solve the problem a new pump will be installed as the fitting is not available separately.
HD has a bulletin issued on it. So all dealers know what to do. A very prompt response by HD.
HD has a bulletin issued on it. So all dealers know what to do. A very prompt response by HD.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Upstate NY
I'm having the EXACT same problem on my '14 Superlow 883.
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Mine did this for the first time tonight...scary when your in traffic. I was hoping someone wasn't going to run up my backside when it was starving out. My low fuel light wasn't even on so the fuel doesn't have to be that low for it to happen.
Everyone be careful and stay safe, hopefully HD will have a fix for this soon before someone gets hurt.
Everyone be careful and stay safe, hopefully HD will have a fix for this soon before someone gets hurt.
Shorten the pick up tube on these bikes and the problem will go away or wait a year for Harley to figure it out for us.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Just had to bring mine in for the second time for this. There changing the fuel pump again. I think there is more wrong than that.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
The issue is the fuel pump, Harley has a replacement, but there not properly sending it to the dealers when there brought in. They sent the same model that has the problem. The tech compared it to the in there now, and he can see the part that is going to fail. He had to fight with tech services to get them to send the new model pump. Going on day 13 still don't have my Bike back. I have filed a complaint with NHTSA.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov