Milwaukee 8 Coil Differences
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Atlanta
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Charleston, SC
Indicates Ignition coil driver shorted high (front) and (Rear).
I checked, and the wiring is the same between Softail and Touring going to and from the ECM/BCM and Ignition Coil. On Paper it should work but who knows...
Dug this up: " Ignition coil DTCs sets if the ignition coil primary voltage is out of range. This could occur if there is an open coil or loss of power to the coil. If front and rear DTCs are set simultaneously, it is likely a coil power failure or a coil failure. "
I checked, and the wiring is the same between Softail and Touring going to and from the ECM/BCM and Ignition Coil. On Paper it should work but who knows...
Dug this up: " Ignition coil DTCs sets if the ignition coil primary voltage is out of range. This could occur if there is an open coil or loss of power to the coil. If front and rear DTCs are set simultaneously, it is likely a coil power failure or a coil failure. "
HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
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Oh, we're way past not trying it lol. It seems the differences are of course the mounting and orientation of the coil but both are 3 pin plugs (Front/12V/Rear)- which are also the same color wires and orientation on both bikes.
I'm puzzled now, if they are both M8 107s just different frames what would possibly be different between the ignitions. The bike starts, runs, even revs up just cuts off after and doesn't start again unless you cycle the ign.
I'm puzzled now, if they are both M8 107s just different frames what would possibly be different between the ignitions. The bike starts, runs, even revs up just cuts off after and doesn't start again unless you cycle the ign.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 10
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From: Atlanta
Why HD had them made different I do not know but I can assure you the coils are wound different and they have different voltage and current requirements. Using the wrong one can and will damage things over time. My only guess is they may have had an over-heating issue with the Touring coil due to it's location and the Softail did not since it is out in the breeze but that's just a guess.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
Indicates Ignition coil driver shorted high (front) and (Rear).
I checked, and the wiring is the same between Softail and Touring going to and from the ECM/BCM and Ignition Coil. On Paper it should work but who knows...
Dug this up: " Ignition coil DTCs sets if the ignition coil primary voltage is out of range. This could occur if there is an open coil or loss of power to the coil. If front and rear DTCs are set simultaneously, it is likely a coil power failure or a coil failure. "
I checked, and the wiring is the same between Softail and Touring going to and from the ECM/BCM and Ignition Coil. On Paper it should work but who knows...
Dug this up: " Ignition coil DTCs sets if the ignition coil primary voltage is out of range. This could occur if there is an open coil or loss of power to the coil. If front and rear DTCs are set simultaneously, it is likely a coil power failure or a coil failure. "
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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I agree, it would sure be nice to know what is so different between coils they throw codes and shut down running. Are we sure the wires have been double checked they are the same position on the coils?
It seems it’s wiring at the coils, BWTFDIK?
Bob
It seems it’s wiring at the coils, BWTFDIK?
Bob
Banned
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Nunya.
Why HD had them made different I do not know but I can assure you the coils are wound different and they have different voltage and current requirements. Using the wrong one can and will damage things over time. My only guess is they may have had an over-heating issue with the Touring coil due to it's location and the Softail did not since it is out in the breeze but that's just a guess.
Last edited by Agoober; Mar 2, 2020 at 08:53 PM.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 10
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From: Atlanta
It is possible the top rocker cover spark plug boots didnt seat correctly as I didnt get a positive click on those like I did the factory boots, which would be also front and rear faults but I didnt have a spare set to try, I also dont know if those would throw the same codes.
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From: poway
The coils are completely different and it will not work. Do not try and run it as you may damage the ECM and BCM as the current requirements are different. You may be able to use the Softail Mount with the Touring coil but I do not know if it will fit that way, as the Softail coil has the wires out the top and the Touring are out the side but with a little rework anything is possible.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Lafayette, Louisiana
I suppose it is possible to not have the plug wires seated fully and thus the problem not being the coil but the installation.
Maybe the spark plug wires are different since most of the touring models have some kind of radio or infotainment system. An increased resistance of spark plug wires required for touring may require a coil with a higher output? Pure speculation with no factual basis though.
I wonder if I has something to do with center spark plug vs outboard spark plug and where they are connected to the coil?
Set the Softail coil and the touring coil side by side then use an ohm meter to compare readings between the two. That might tell you something.
All that being said, I am shaking my head at this conversation and why anyone would do this. Lets go ahead and fix a perfectly running motorcycle until it doesnt run and then try to figure out why it no longer runs.
FWIW, on older carbureted bikes, It didnt much care, as long as there was a spark. Dual fire meant it didnt matter how the front and rear spark plug wires were plugged in and was actually a troubleshooting tool.