12’ Iron 883 rough idle/backfiring
#1
04-17-2018, 12:16 PM
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12’ Iron 883 rough idle/backfiring
Hey All,
I recently picked up my first Harley; a 2012 Iron 883. It does not run well whatsoever. It idles horribly and consistently backfires through the intake, it also does not respond to throttle inputs. After much troubleshooting and research, I believe the problem to be that the previous owner installed a SE Heavy Breather without bothering to tune it. I have been an auto mechanic for the last decade and never experienced a car run so badly after a simple intake mod, so I didn’t really consider it an issue until I came across a post about it, but I guess such a smaller engine reacts differently to a smaller change in intake volume.
So my question to you guys is if in your experience, have you heard of my bikes symptoms and do you guys believe it to be a problem with the AFR?
Ideally, I’d like to find a oem intake to run for now until I buy some exhaust and tuner to compliment the SE intake. I’d even trade the SE for an OEM at this point. I just wanna ride the bike.
I recently picked up my first Harley; a 2012 Iron 883. It does not run well whatsoever. It idles horribly and consistently backfires through the intake, it also does not respond to throttle inputs. After much troubleshooting and research, I believe the problem to be that the previous owner installed a SE Heavy Breather without bothering to tune it. I have been an auto mechanic for the last decade and never experienced a car run so badly after a simple intake mod, so I didn’t really consider it an issue until I came across a post about it, but I guess such a smaller engine reacts differently to a smaller change in intake volume.
So my question to you guys is if in your experience, have you heard of my bikes symptoms and do you guys believe it to be a problem with the AFR?
Ideally, I’d like to find a oem intake to run for now until I buy some exhaust and tuner to compliment the SE intake. I’d even trade the SE for an OEM at this point. I just wanna ride the bike.
#3
04-17-2018, 12:51 PM
Do you have any stored codes?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...des-dtc-s.html
Are you sure it wasn't tuned after the intake or just guessing?
How long was it sitting before you bought it? Could the gas be bad?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...des-dtc-s.html
Are you sure it wasn't tuned after the intake or just guessing?
How long was it sitting before you bought it? Could the gas be bad?
#4
04-17-2018, 01:14 PM
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Texas
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Do you have any stored codes?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...des-dtc-s.html
Are you sure it wasn't tuned after the intake or just guessing?
How long was it sitting before you bought it? Could the gas be bad?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...des-dtc-s.html
Are you sure it wasn't tuned after the intake or just guessing?
How long was it sitting before you bought it? Could the gas be bad?
I would imagine it has only seen 3 tanks of gas in its life with only 330 miles on it. The previous owner wasn’t the one that put the intake on it as he got the bike in a trade and wasn’t really interested in it, nor did he ride it. He told me he did change the gas and spark plugs though, and I have since emptied and filled the gas tank twice and ran Lucas fuel system cleaner through it the first tank, and sea foam the second tank.
As far as stored codes, I haven’t pulled any yet, and I erroneusly attempted to do the jump terminal thing and blew the ignition fuse.
#5
04-17-2018, 01:21 PM
Road Master
You don’t jumper the data plug to get the codes. A simple search will disclose how to retrieve codes using the speedometer.
You left out the part that it has sat dormant for most it’s life. That leads us to fuel pump and injector clogging as possibilities.
If it’s been flash tuned, nothing stays on the bike. Current download number can also be accessed through speedo. Sounds like you really need the service manual.
You left out the part that it has sat dormant for most it’s life. That leads us to fuel pump and injector clogging as possibilities.
If it’s been flash tuned, nothing stays on the bike. Current download number can also be accessed through speedo. Sounds like you really need the service manual.
#6
04-17-2018, 01:26 PM
Join Date: Apr 2018
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You don’t jumper the data plug to get the codes. A simple search will disclose how to retrieve codes using the speedometer.
You left out the part that it has sat dormant for most it’s life. That leads us to fuel pump and injector clogging as possibilities.
If it’s been flash tuned, nothing stays on the bike. Current download number can also be accessed through speedo. Sounds like you really need the service manual.
You left out the part that it has sat dormant for most it’s life. That leads us to fuel pump and injector clogging as possibilities.
If it’s been flash tuned, nothing stays on the bike. Current download number can also be accessed through speedo. Sounds like you really need the service manual.
#7
04-17-2018, 03:48 PM
How to pull the codes is in the link in my last post.
Just like a ODBII car, codes will not clear when power is lost.
If it was flashed with a tune from the dealer it would not have any additional parts left on the bike.
It could also have been flashed with a HD tuner, Harley or aftermarket (like Power Vision) you didn't get with the bike and do not need to run it.
Sitting with a dead battery would not cause a "loss" of the tune. The Tune is stored in Non-volatile RAM, NVRAM or written to EPROM.
Just like a ODBII car, codes will not clear when power is lost.
If it was flashed with a tune from the dealer it would not have any additional parts left on the bike.
It could also have been flashed with a HD tuner, Harley or aftermarket (like Power Vision) you didn't get with the bike and do not need to run it.
Sitting with a dead battery would not cause a "loss" of the tune. The Tune is stored in Non-volatile RAM, NVRAM or written to EPROM.
Last edited by shanneba; 04-17-2018 at 03:49 PM.
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#8
04-17-2018, 04:22 PM
Join Date: Apr 2018
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How to pull the codes is in the link in my last post.
Just like a ODBII car, codes will not clear when power is lost.
If it was flashed with a tune from the dealer it would not have any additional parts left on the bike.
It could also have been flashed with a HD tuner, Harley or aftermarket (like Power Vision) you didn't get with the bike and do not need to run it.
Sitting with a dead battery would not cause a "loss" of the tune. The Tune is stored in Non-volatile RAM, NVRAM or written to EPROM.
Just like a ODBII car, codes will not clear when power is lost.
If it was flashed with a tune from the dealer it would not have any additional parts left on the bike.
It could also have been flashed with a HD tuner, Harley or aftermarket (like Power Vision) you didn't get with the bike and do not need to run it.
Sitting with a dead battery would not cause a "loss" of the tune. The Tune is stored in Non-volatile RAM, NVRAM or written to EPROM.
I just recorded the stores codes and man it’s a lengthy list.
P0122 - TPS Low
P0131 - Front o2 low
P0151 - Rear o2 low
P0373 - CKP sensor intermittent
P0374 - CKP sync error
P0501 - VSS low
P0502 - VSS High/open
P0505 - Loss of idle speed control
P1001 - System relay coil open/low
U1301 - Serial Data open/high
#9
04-17-2018, 07:11 PM
Do you hear the fuel pump run when you turn on the ignition and turn the run switch on?
I would check your system relay and make sure the terminals are clean.
Many of the codes you have could be from a very low battery voltage.
I would clear the codes and see if it idles better.
You may have a intake manifold leak, be ready to test with a spray cleaner or lubricant.
Fire up the motorcycle and hold it at a steady RPM (2000). Using an aerosol lubricant or cleaner (being careful of painted parts) spray all possible leak points, one at a time. If the bike revs up or dies when an area is sprayed, it has a leak and needs to be repaired.
Manifold Leak
Note: If manifold leak is large enough, the
IAC closes and DTC P0505 sets.
Before taking any long rides I would suggest changing your brake fluid. Should be flushed every two years.
I would check your system relay and make sure the terminals are clean.
Many of the codes you have could be from a very low battery voltage.
I would clear the codes and see if it idles better.
You may have a intake manifold leak, be ready to test with a spray cleaner or lubricant.
Fire up the motorcycle and hold it at a steady RPM (2000). Using an aerosol lubricant or cleaner (being careful of painted parts) spray all possible leak points, one at a time. If the bike revs up or dies when an area is sprayed, it has a leak and needs to be repaired.
Manifold Leak
Note: If manifold leak is large enough, the
IAC closes and DTC P0505 sets.
Before taking any long rides I would suggest changing your brake fluid. Should be flushed every two years.
#10
04-18-2018, 08:06 PM
Join Date: Apr 2018
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UPDATE: I found someone to lend me an oem intake and put it on today and cleared the codes from the last list. I also changed out the fuel in the tank again as it had 87 in it and I refilled it with 93.
Despite these changes, the same problems persist. The bike starts for a few seconds (5-20 sec) and then stalls. It still doesn’t respond to smooth/slow throttle inputs; only quick consecutive rolls to get the rpms up. Once the rpms do get up the engine sounds great, but as soon as I stop quickly rolling on the throttle and let it come down to idle, it starts sputtering and backfiring (less than before) and dies.
Since clearing the codes, the only code that has returned is P0502 - VSS open/high.
I tried spraying carb cleaner around intake seals and found no surging consistent with my spraying.
To answer shanneba, yes I do hear the fuel pump running when putting key forward, and I’m not familiar with normal operation but there is a consistent sort of “hiss” from somewhere in/around the tank while it is running. Is that normal?
Despite these changes, the same problems persist. The bike starts for a few seconds (5-20 sec) and then stalls. It still doesn’t respond to smooth/slow throttle inputs; only quick consecutive rolls to get the rpms up. Once the rpms do get up the engine sounds great, but as soon as I stop quickly rolling on the throttle and let it come down to idle, it starts sputtering and backfiring (less than before) and dies.
Since clearing the codes, the only code that has returned is P0502 - VSS open/high.
I tried spraying carb cleaner around intake seals and found no surging consistent with my spraying.
To answer shanneba, yes I do hear the fuel pump running when putting key forward, and I’m not familiar with normal operation but there is a consistent sort of “hiss” from somewhere in/around the tank while it is running. Is that normal?
Last edited by gj_magi; 04-18-2018 at 08:09 PM.