Have orange spark, but won’t stay running
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Corinth,NY
Have orange spark, but won’t stay running
Hello-
hoping someone on here can help me out.
I have a 2008 HD XL883 Standard. Bought the bike not running.
Thought it was a fuel issue, because it didn’t sound like the bike was getting enough fuel to stay running. dumped the fuel, checked the tank, no sediment, was clean. Put fresh fuel in tank, also put in K100 to be on the safe side. Still won’t stay running after that.
Checked to see if the bike was throwing any codes. Got a code of P0373. Which was the crank position sensor code. Put a brand new sensor in. Still not running.
Put new NGK iridium plugs on the bike. Tested the wires. One tested 1.65 & 1.77 on the wires. Not sure if that is a good or bad #. Tested the ignition coil, it read 3.43 which should be a good #.
But the bike still won’t stay running. When we checked the spark on the old plugs and the new plugs it had an orange spark which to me suggests cold.
We bypassed the fuel system relay and the pump stays running nonstop.
Im kind of at a loss here and getting frustrated. If anyone has any other suggestions to test or look at and how to do it, please please please let me know. I would appreciate any help or advice. Trying to not go to a shop and get screwed over. I’m very mechanically inclined, but at a loss here with this bike.
Thanks again!
hoping someone on here can help me out.
I have a 2008 HD XL883 Standard. Bought the bike not running.
Thought it was a fuel issue, because it didn’t sound like the bike was getting enough fuel to stay running. dumped the fuel, checked the tank, no sediment, was clean. Put fresh fuel in tank, also put in K100 to be on the safe side. Still won’t stay running after that.
Checked to see if the bike was throwing any codes. Got a code of P0373. Which was the crank position sensor code. Put a brand new sensor in. Still not running.
Put new NGK iridium plugs on the bike. Tested the wires. One tested 1.65 & 1.77 on the wires. Not sure if that is a good or bad #. Tested the ignition coil, it read 3.43 which should be a good #.
But the bike still won’t stay running. When we checked the spark on the old plugs and the new plugs it had an orange spark which to me suggests cold.
We bypassed the fuel system relay and the pump stays running nonstop.
Im kind of at a loss here and getting frustrated. If anyone has any other suggestions to test or look at and how to do it, please please please let me know. I would appreciate any help or advice. Trying to not go to a shop and get screwed over. I’m very mechanically inclined, but at a loss here with this bike.
Thanks again!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 1,170
From: florida
orange spark is not cold it is weak, check to make sure that the supply voltage going to the ignition coil is in spec. check your battery voltage, if it's low or undercharged any of your electrical diagnosis will be off.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Corinth,NY
Yeah we pulled that and checked it. It does need to be replaced, but not so bad that it should cause the bike to not stay running. We called the local dealer to get one, and they don’t just sell the filter. It only comes in a kit and the kit is $100. Not paying that. Much cheaper online. So have to wait a few days for that to get here.
My bigger concern is why is why does it have an orange spark. Coil tested good. Plug wires are good. So just can’t figure that out. May be injectors. Not sure. That’s a job I can’t get into and will need to go to a shop for.
Also, I want to check the grounds on the bike and make sure they don’t have any corrosion, but I can’t seem to find them on the bike. All the wires are all bundled together and wrapped making it impossible to follow.
My bigger concern is why is why does it have an orange spark. Coil tested good. Plug wires are good. So just can’t figure that out. May be injectors. Not sure. That’s a job I can’t get into and will need to go to a shop for.
Also, I want to check the grounds on the bike and make sure they don’t have any corrosion, but I can’t seem to find them on the bike. All the wires are all bundled together and wrapped making it impossible to follow.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 1,170
From: florida
the 2 main grounds are on the back area of the primary in front of the battery area. trace the path of your negative wire to where in connects to the stud on the engine/primary case. your bike might have 2 of these, so make sure to check them both.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Corinth,NY
Ok. Thank you. Found the grounds. Both connections are tight and no corrosion. So not those.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Corinth,NY
Checked the voltage on the battery and coil. Both reading over 12V.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Corinth,NY
Anyone ever had any issues with their rectifier? Bike only has 12k miles on it. Could that cause it to spit and sputter and not stay running?
Is is there a way to test it to see if it’s good? Or bad?
Is is there a way to test it to see if it’s good? Or bad?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 1,170
From: florida
you need to know what that voltage is while the bike is cranking, check it again and report. you might be suffering from a battery issue. once we get you running again, we can troubleshoot your charging system diagnosis.
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