Friends,

I've been unable to start my 2000 Road King Classic for a few days and I wanted to check in with a forum before I take the bike in to a dealership. First, I'm somewhat new to DIY maintenance, so if my terms are inaccurate, please bear with me. Here is the current situation.

1. The engine revs when I hit the starter, but it doesn't turn over (no spark?)

2. The battery is good (I changed it recently and I get lights, horn, etc.)

3. Previously, I didn't hear the fuel pump building up pressure - changed the fuel pump and I'm having the same issue. I thought that because I wasn't hearing the fuel pump when I set the bike to run that the fuel pump was completely dead. I'm beginning to doubt that this is the case. Is it possible that the fuel pump is "flooded" based on the amount of times that I've been trying to run the bike?

4. I don't think it's an electrical problem. I changed the fuel pump fuse, but then again, I used one of the spare fuses that came with the bike (again, it's 16 years old... maybe the spare is bad?). However, I don't think this is the issue because I'm hearing a slight sound. I'd think it's electrical if I didn't hear anything at all.

5. I might be having a starter issue (based on everything I've read). I haven't taken the starter apart yet. As I mentioned, I'm somewhat new and don't want to get in over my head (then again, I don't want to pay $3000 to get the bike fixed at an HD dealership, since that's about the cost of the bike itself...).

I saw something about a cleaning the copper washer in my starter solenoid. I'll try to do that. I also saw something about installing a push button that bypasses the electrical portion of the starter solenoid. Although this seems above my head, I'm willing to give it a shot. Has anyone had any luck with either of the above remedies?

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips!

 

Sounds like you might be better off by taking it to your local dealer or Indy shop.

 

First things first. I am guessing the bike is fuel injected from your description. STOP swapping parts out unless you are rich.

Have the battery load tested at your local auto parts store, or put in a known good battery.

Good battery? Then pull any trouble codes that may be stored in it.
Run Switch "ON"
Turn Key Switch "On" for 3 sec.
Turn Key switch "Off"
Repeat
Then turn Key Switch back on and wait about 8 sec.
You will get a series of quick flashes, then slower flashes. Count the slower flashes. They will be in groups of two with a smaller series of slow flashes followed by a longer series of slow flashes. After all codes have been sent then there will be another series of quick flashes.

Eg. ***********____ * *__ * * * * *____ ************ That would represent the code 25.

If you do not hear the fuel pump then you are not getting fuel to the injectors. Check for +12v at the connector under the tank console. If you do not get +12v there then you need to trace it back to the source. If you do get +12v then your pump is probably toast. Even a new one can be bad.

Do a wiggle test on the wires going to the front injector while trying to start it. On some bikes the wires on the front injector were too short, and the break inside of the insulation.

Good voltage at the pump, and the pump primes? Then check to see if you have a fuel tuner added to the bike. If you do, then disconnect it from the system, and reconnect the ecm directly. While you are under the right side cover connecting the ecm check the barrel looking connector. That is the Crank Position Sensor. Make sure that it is tight, and throw a zip tie criss cross around it so that it will not come apart.

Bike still no start? Then it is probably one of the other sensors. There are specific tests for each one in the service manual.

 

Thanks for the info. Couple of questions - you mentioned the codes; is there a way to look up what the different codes mean? I have the factory manual, but haven't seen a list of codes anywhere (it's like a college textbook, so I very well may have missed it). Also, I'm worried I jumped to the conclusion that it's a fuel pump issue, but is it possible that the pump is just sluggish because I've been trying to run the bike for so long without any success? Is it possible that I flooded the pump? I'm worried that I'm looking at the fuel pump when I should be looking at the starter.

And last question (and I know this might vary from dealership to dealership) but does HD have any kind of "tow away" service? I don't have a truck (and get made fun of all the time for it), and I'd rather not walk my bike 23 miles to the dealership.

Thanks again in advance! I really appreciate the quick and thorough responses!

 

The oldest schematics I have are for 2004 touring. Do you have a volt meter? If not you can get a good one at the box stores for $25. If you have the service manual does it have the electrical schematics? Check to see if you have 12 v to the fuel pump fuse. If not check the system relay, when it energizes it powers up the pump, injectors and coils.
Good luck

 

If you have the service manual the information is in there, but you have to read it.

Here's the cliff notes, Post #6
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-rkc-help.html

No, you did not flood the pump. The purpose of a fuel pump is to deliver fuel. It's supposed to be full.

You can get a cheap VOM at Harbor Freight for under $10 that will work for your purpose.