Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection Need advice on ignition issues? Questions about a tuner? Have questions about a EFI calibration or Fuel Injection? Tips on Engine Diagnostics, how to get codes, and what they mean. Find your answers here.

Spark plugs are not firing.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 9, 2014 | 05:12 PM
  #1  
Shackleford's Avatar
Shackleford
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 199
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
Default Spark plugs are not firing.

Hello,
I have a 2002 sportster 1200 that is having ignition system problems.

I checked the plugs themselves first. They don't look too bad. I even switched them out with some other plugs that I know were good ones and still nothing. The plug wires are very good ones, and they are fairly new also. The next thing I've tried is the coil itself. I tested it using a multimeter (according to the factory manual), and it is what it is supposed to be. Just to be sure, I also swapped it out with an old coil I had that I knew was good. Still no fire.

The next thing I'm going to test are the leads to the coil. I'm not exactly sure how to test them though. Any suggestions there would be much appreciated.

I am really hoping it's not the ignition module, because that sucker is expensive!

Any insight you guys could give me on how to solve this would be much appreciated. I just want to get back on the road.
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 12:35 PM
  #2  
Braveheart1222's Avatar
Braveheart1222
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
Default

BUMP.. similar problem
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2014 | 08:51 PM
  #3  
Baird's Avatar
Baird
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1,171
From: St. Catharines, Ontario
Default

remove coil , turn on the ignition switch, find the primary side wire that has the 12vdc to it,turn off ignition. hook that wire back on the coil. put the plug wires with plugs in them in the proper places to the coil. tape the plugs together so that the metal case that has the hex and threads are touching. let them dangle.get a length of wire and attach it to the last terminal on the coil, put the ignition back on, then touch that wire to ground(chassis) let it touch for a second then lift it off. you should see both plugs fire. report back
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bcoish
EVO
11
Apr 29, 2019 09:09 PM
Darin Edwards
Sportster Models
3
Sep 18, 2015 01:45 PM
73 ironhead guy
Ironhead
6
Sep 18, 2012 10:40 PM
daholken
Softail Models
1
Mar 28, 2009 09:46 PM
HutchNJ
EVO
6
Feb 8, 2008 11:36 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:52 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE