2003 Fat Boy will Crank but not Start
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 631
Likes: 6
From: Utopia
2003 Fat Boy will Crank but not Start
(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.
Last edited by rastajacob; Jul 9, 2017 at 06:40 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 45
Id say it's probably sensor related , if you have no spark. The staring fluid is a great way to check for spark.
If you have no spark I'd check the crank sensor and bank angle sensor. Then lastly the tsm and coil.
On second thought it could be the main switch too, I'd give that a good clean. Hope this helps.
If you have no spark I'd check the crank sensor and bank angle sensor. Then lastly the tsm and coil.
On second thought it could be the main switch too, I'd give that a good clean. Hope this helps.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
Likes: 28
From: Denver Colorado
Fuel pump works. You can hear it in the video. Run switch is on because cuz bike is cranking.
I noticed the gas light was on... do you have gas...?
if you do, engine only needs 3 things to start: gas, air, and spark.
easiest test is spark. 1. Pull off spark plug boot. 2. Take spark plug out with wrench or socket. 3. Put spark plug back into boot and ground to engine fin. (If you don't ground you become ground and you can die). 4. Have someone start the bike while holding spark plug to engine fin and see if you have spark. If you do it's not spark.
I noticed the gas light was on... do you have gas...?
if you do, engine only needs 3 things to start: gas, air, and spark.
easiest test is spark. 1. Pull off spark plug boot. 2. Take spark plug out with wrench or socket. 3. Put spark plug back into boot and ground to engine fin. (If you don't ground you become ground and you can die). 4. Have someone start the bike while holding spark plug to engine fin and see if you have spark. If you do it's not spark.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 648
Likes: 35
From: San Diego
Yeah fuel pump works but is there a fuel leak inside the tank? The point of my test was to rule it out. When the fuel pump is pressurizing, it is pushing fuel. It's during that time that he should try to start it. Because once the pump stops, if there's a leak or pin hole in one of the fuel lines or bad pressure regulator, etc...fuel pressure will drop. Easy test
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 968
Likes: 589
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Jchaiyo
Fuel pump works. You can hear it in the video. Run switch is on because cuz bike is cranking.
I noticed the gas light was on... do you have gas...?
if you do, engine only needs 3 things to start: gas, air, and spark.
easiest test is spark. 1. Pull off spark plug boot. 2. Take spark plug out with wrench or socket. 3. Put spark plug back into boot and ground to engine fin. (If you don't ground you become ground and you can die). 4. Have someone start the bike while holding spark plug to engine fin and see if you have spark. If you do it's not spark.
I noticed the gas light was on... do you have gas...?
if you do, engine only needs 3 things to start: gas, air, and spark.
easiest test is spark. 1. Pull off spark plug boot. 2. Take spark plug out with wrench or socket. 3. Put spark plug back into boot and ground to engine fin. (If you don't ground you become ground and you can die). 4. Have someone start the bike while holding spark plug to engine fin and see if you have spark. If you do it's not spark.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
Likes: 28
From: Denver Colorado
Yeah fuel pump works but is there a fuel leak inside the tank? The point of my test was to rule it out. When the fuel pump is pressurizing, it is pushing fuel. It's during that time that he should try to start it. Because once the pump stops, if there's a leak or pin hole in one of the fuel lines or bad pressure regulator, etc...fuel pressure will drop. Easy test
actually you make a point. Easy way to test this is open your gas cap and put your ear to the tank and listen for a pissing noise. If your decent with your hands, remove the dash and pull the fuel pump and run it to see if it's leaking. Remember always use a service manual!