Just started riding again after a long time off. Wanted to get a bike with carb so I could work on it. 2004 fxst is what I got and after I got home I noticed when I turn the switch on there was a check engine light?? was not expecting that. Is there a computer on a carbed bike?? or did they just use the same spedo for all 2004 models carb and efi?

 

Yes, your '04 will have an ECM even though it's carbed. A quick look under your seat should reveal a data link connector.
The check engine light illuminates when the ignition is on and should go off once you start it, unless it has a code stored.

 

Well I guess as much as I didnt want to learn that computer stuff now I got to do what I got to do.
What are the "different sensors / things the computer does" that would be on this bike?
I saw that under the seat. for reading codes would it use the same OBD2 reader as a car?
Just got the bike. Have put a little over 300 miles on it and it runs good except for being real cold natured.
I do need to rejet the carb I think . I am thinking the breather they put on it is letting more air in and the pipes are letting more out and I bet the carb is stock.

 

It will have a 4 pin connector, the cars obd reader will not work but al codes could be reset manually.
Check YT, there are plenty of movies how to do this.

 

Welcome to the forums and good luck with the new ride.

 

My truck had the “check brakes” light come on. Nothing wrong light wouldn’t go off. Disconnected the battery terminals for 30 seconds. Light went off, never returned. That was 2 years ago.

 

Does the light stay on all the time or just when you turn the ignition switch on and then start it, and it goes away.

If it goes away then that's normal. If it stays on when the bike is running then you need to figure out the trouble code associated with it

 

there are no problems at the moment I was just surprised to see a check engine light when I turned the switch on, I have never seen a computer on a carbed engine before, it does go out after its cranked. All my harley experience was shovelheads and figured as long as the bike I bought had a carb on it I could fix whatever.
I looked and I dont see any sensor in the exhaust pipes ? What things does this computer control? Is there a camshaft sensor or??

 

I have a set of manuals for '04 Softails, shop manual and electrical diag manual, both in very good shape. If you're interested make me an offer.

 

If you have experience with shovels you should be fine with your '04.
The computer controls the ignition and timing.
Most likely there's a sensor for cylinder temp, one for manifold pressure, possibly an o2 sensor.
Not sure about a cam sensor.
You can look down by the oil filter, right where you'd put a wrench on the filter to see if it has a crank position sensor, not sure if carbed bikes have that.
You still can control idle speed and how rich or lean it runs by adjusting the carb or changing jet sizes.
Post up a pic of it.