Intermittent Engine Stall, Shutdown, Cutoff
Stage I
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: New Windsor NY
Same thing
my 2005 wide glide is doing the same thing but I'm thinking it could be bad gas I filled it up with 89 instead of the regular 92 or 93 but I felt the engine getting real warm before it started to shut down I'm going to try different gas at least I have a good idea what it could be if it's not the gas thank you
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Clayton, NM
Kickstand What?
I experienced a recurring, but intermittent, problem with my 2004 Dyna WG where the engine would abruptly shut down, cut off, or stall while driving on the road, occasionally while shifting gears, and once it happened during a turn! Very disconcerting to say the least!
It was due for a 10K service, so I took it to the local HD dealership and explained the symptoms as well as my concern about it. After keeping it one day and performing the scheduled maintenance, I was informed that they could not reproduce the engine stalling problem and, despite my protestations about the danger involved, there was nothing more they could do for me and, without actually saying it, it felt to me as though the Service Manger suspected "user error."
At that point, I went searching for another motorcycle shop and, thanks to this forum, found Scalia Cycles (Fairfax, VA). After explaining the problem, they said, "Ah, that issue is often caused by a bad temp sensor. Bring it in and we'll gladly troubleshoot it for you." Scalia had the bike for just under a week. Their mechanic was able to reproduce the problem on a diagnostic ride, narrowed the cause to a bad engine temperature sensor ($43 part), replaced it, and test rode it for another 25 miles without incident. I have since put another 50 miles on the bike and, so far, the problem has not recurred!
In my research of this problem, I managed to capture a list of oft-cited causes of engine stalling and wanted to get them listed in one document in case another HD owner runs into it. If nothing else, it might save someone the many hours I spent devouring posts across several forums. The items are generally listed in the order most frequently mentioned:
Fuel/Air
Electrical
I find it curious that "Engine Temp Sensor" is not among the listed causes above although maybe it is shown under a different name. In my own case, that item turned out to be the culprit!
Ken
It was due for a 10K service, so I took it to the local HD dealership and explained the symptoms as well as my concern about it. After keeping it one day and performing the scheduled maintenance, I was informed that they could not reproduce the engine stalling problem and, despite my protestations about the danger involved, there was nothing more they could do for me and, without actually saying it, it felt to me as though the Service Manger suspected "user error."
At that point, I went searching for another motorcycle shop and, thanks to this forum, found Scalia Cycles (Fairfax, VA). After explaining the problem, they said, "Ah, that issue is often caused by a bad temp sensor. Bring it in and we'll gladly troubleshoot it for you." Scalia had the bike for just under a week. Their mechanic was able to reproduce the problem on a diagnostic ride, narrowed the cause to a bad engine temperature sensor ($43 part), replaced it, and test rode it for another 25 miles without incident. I have since put another 50 miles on the bike and, so far, the problem has not recurred!
In my research of this problem, I managed to capture a list of oft-cited causes of engine stalling and wanted to get them listed in one document in case another HD owner runs into it. If nothing else, it might save someone the many hours I spent devouring posts across several forums. The items are generally listed in the order most frequently mentioned:
Fuel/Air
- Pinched vaccuum lines
- Fuel Pump can fail when hot, but run fine when cool
- Fuel tank breather clogged or venting problem
- Idle Air Control (IAC)
- Fuel Pressure Regulator (FPR)
- Gas cap
Electrical
- Battery connections loose (esp. negative/ground)
- Ground cable bad
- Crank Position Sensor (CKP)
- System Relay sensor
- Kill switch on throttle side
- Ignition switch
- Kickstand position sensor
- Bank angle sensor
- Ignition Coil
- Throttle Position Sensor
- Wiring harness: vibration causing intermittent failure (ground)
- Capacitive Discharge Ignition (CDI)
- Voltage Regulator
- Stator
- Temp Sending Unit can fail when hot, but run fine when cool
- Speed sensor sending out irregular signals
I find it curious that "Engine Temp Sensor" is not among the listed causes above although maybe it is shown under a different name. In my own case, that item turned out to be the culprit!
Ken
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Clayton, NM
Where to Find Service Bulletins
I'm having same annoying electrical issues on my '03 Heritage Springer with 8000 original miles on it. I've had the intermittent engine dump (die) happen for the last year or so, but as long as I kept on the throttle or gear to start or keep running, she would continue on. In fact she'd re-fire to get back in sinc and off we'd go like nothing ever happened. Yesterday, for the first time, the bike stalled and I managed to get it to the house. When I went to fire her back up, she clicked back at the battery and nothing. And I mean dead; no dash or anything. So, where can I locate bulletins for this, what seems to be an inherent issue. My best ride was my '76 shovel
Last edited by Peter Lefebvre; Jul 13, 2018 at 05:20 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,922
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
I'm having same annoying electrical issues on my '03 Heritage Springer with 8000 original miles on it. I've had the intermittent engine dump (die) happen for the last year or so, but as long as I kept on the throttle or gear to start or keep running, she would continue on. In fact she'd re-fire to get back in sinc and off we'd go like nothing ever happened. Yesterday, for the first time, the bike stalled and I managed to get it to the house. When I went to fire her back up, she clicked back at the battery and nothing. And I mean dead; no dash or anything. So, where can I locate bulletins for this, what seems to be an inherent issue. My best ride was my '76 shovel
Also let us know if it's EFI.
Last edited by Max Headflow; Jul 13, 2018 at 08:55 AM.
Stage III
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: USA
Hi , Thank You for the information it is quite helpful. In my case i have a 2017 VROD and the engine stall has happened a couple of times for me and it was scary as it stalled in between traffic. I have taken it to the dealership a few times but they keep insisting they won't do anything until they experience it. I even shared the information that i have read on here but it is not helping. The one thing i observed was the stalling occurs when the gas needle is between regular to reserve and at that time if i am slowing down getting to a signal or when i go over a bump. I have even opened a case Harley Davidson, they said until the dealership say there is some issue they can't act on it. One recommendation i got from a friend is to give more gas with closed clutch as i slow down and that seemed to help and it hasn't stalled again so far.
Any suggestions?
Thank You
Any suggestions?
Thank You
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,922
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
Hi , Thank You for the information it is quite helpful. In my case i have a 2017 VROD and the engine stall has happened a couple of times for me and it was scary as it stalled in between traffic. I have taken it to the dealership a few times but they keep insisting they won't do anything until they experience it. I even shared the information that i have read on here but it is not helping. The one thing i observed was the stalling occurs when the gas needle is between regular to reserve and at that time if i am slowing down getting to a signal or when i go over a bump. I have even opened a case Harley Davidson, they said until the dealership say there is some issue they can't act on it. One recommendation i got from a friend is to give more gas with closed clutch as i slow down and that seemed to help and it hasn't stalled again so far.
Any suggestions?
Thank You
Any suggestions?
Thank You
Stage II
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound, Texas
hello all. ok ive taken my 2003 road glide to 3 shops 2 of which where harley dealers. they always find something to reair but not the problem of which i took it in for. usually after sitting my bike starts right up but recently sometimes i have to remove the plugs brush them off and reinstall to fire up. once i do that on occasion (again sometimes she fires right up) she fires up. the problem 1 is of course if plugs are filing its running rich i assume. 2nd after my bike warms at stops it shuts off. i do not lose electrical power. the idle starts to drop and eventually it shuts off ONLY after riding and bike is warm. it does not appear to have any leaks at the intake that was checked at the first shop. second shop says needs mapping harley dealer 3rd shop harley dealer replaced old lines in my tank and says when they have it it doesnt drop under 10 at idle. i bring bike home thinking its repaired next thing you know its shutting off after warm and now having trouble starting hence having to brush off plugs at times to fire up. also if i keep the throttle moving at stop revving it will stay running.
im no mechanic i explained to the dealers i think its temp related because it only does it when warm. i purchased my bike may 2016 and it already had a tuner installed that i do not have the key for and it also has compression release buttons on top of the heads
thanks for any suggestions and or advice in advance also appreciate those that took the time to read my book
im no mechanic i explained to the dealers i think its temp related because it only does it when warm. i purchased my bike may 2016 and it already had a tuner installed that i do not have the key for and it also has compression release buttons on top of the heads
thanks for any suggestions and or advice in advance also appreciate those that took the time to read my book
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Stage I
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Moruya
I've had a lot of bad speed sensors over the years as well. That usually causes the bike to stall while coming to a stop though. If the speed sensor is bad when the bike gets under 5 MPH or so the sensor can tell the ECM that the bike is stopped and it will open the IAC, since the butterfly is still open it will go way lean and stall the motor. Some other symptoms of a bad VSS can be that teh turn signals do not automatically cancel.
