2003 Fat Boy will Crank but not Start
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
Likes: 28
From: Denver Colorado
(I posted this over in the electrical section as well, but figured I ask you all over here as well). So I am having problems with starting my bike. I am at a loss. The bike was running fine for months, and now, it cranks and turns over but will NOT start. I turn the ignition to on, fuel pump cycles, I hit start, and then it cranks but will not start. It is a 2003 FLSTFI (Fuel Injected model). Any suggestions as to what may be the cause? Thanks.
https://youtu.be/g9ou00B8jTw
https://youtu.be/g9ou00B8jTw
so Rasta man, what's the deal?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
Rode my mini bike years ago with the seat off-old B&S spark plug shocking my *** at every bump.[I'm still alive]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,720
From: Farmington ,MS
I've worked on cars and motorcycles all my life,so I've touched spark plug wire ends several times,vehicles cranking over or running.[by accident]It'll give you a hell of a jerk,but death?? Silly.
Rode my mini bike years ago with the seat off-old B&S spark plug shocking my *** at every bump.[I'm still alive]
Rode my mini bike years ago with the seat off-old B&S spark plug shocking my *** at every bump.[I'm still alive]
I worked in a forklift shop when I was a kid, we used to grap sparkplug wires on purpose, and reach over and touch someone to shock them...most everything was points back then...these new electronic ignitions really hurt when they get ya...but I still havn't died.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 631
Likes: 6
From: Utopia
Thanks for all of the replies. To answer some questions, there is fuel in the bike. I am getting spark and in fact, have changed the plugs for new ones two weeks ago. The bike has been sitting for about 4 years (i lived out of state and it lived in my folks garage on a tender for that time). I haven't checked an of the fuses or the fuel pump. And there is NO tuner on the bike at all (thank goodness for that). I will attempt to get back to you all by the weekend with an update. Thanks again !!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 648
Likes: 35
From: San Diego
Thanks for all of the replies. To answer some questions, there is fuel in the bike. I am getting spark and in fact, have changed the plugs for new ones two weeks ago. The bike has been sitting for about 4 years (i lived out of state and it lived in my folks garage on a tender for that time). I haven't checked an of the fuses or the fuel pump. And there is NO tuner on the bike at all (thank goodness for that). I will attempt to get back to you all by the weekend with an update. Thanks again !!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 284
From: Fort Worth, TX
A common issue on our bikes is the fuel pressure regulator housing breaking and causing the fuel to dump back into the tank and the result is a bike that cranks but doesn't fire. How full is the tank? If it is low enough for the regulator and housing to be above the fuel level this will happen. Also, a pinhole in one of the fuel lines in the tank will cause the same symptoms. A simple diag is to take the gas cap off and shine a flashlight in the tank. When you turn the ignition on if you see fuel spraying in the tank you know you have one of these issues. This is assuming you have spark of course. If the problem is the regulator housing (we come across this 5-6 times a year at the shop), Trask makes a billet version that won't break.
I read that the bike has been sitting for four years. Did you drain the tank and out fresh fuel in it? You could be experiencing a number of things beyond what I mentioned above. The fuel pump, filter, regulator or injectors could be clogged. Can you get it to a shop that can do a fuel pressure test for you? How does the inside of the tank look? Is the liner peeling or is the tank rusting?
I read that the bike has been sitting for four years. Did you drain the tank and out fresh fuel in it? You could be experiencing a number of things beyond what I mentioned above. The fuel pump, filter, regulator or injectors could be clogged. Can you get it to a shop that can do a fuel pressure test for you? How does the inside of the tank look? Is the liner peeling or is the tank rusting?
