Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1988 Softail Ignition Issues

Old Oct 22, 2020 | 09:04 PM
  #1  
conorbauer23's Avatar
conorbauer23
Thread Starter
|
Stage I
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default 1988 Softail Ignition Issues

Weird issue, hoping y’all can help.

I have a 1988 Softail. Recently while riding it would backfire/hesitate when I hit a bump. Come to find out that my ignition module plug isn’t plugged in, neither is the ground that comes off of it...it’s just sitting there. Picture attached. When the bike is cold it will fire, when it’s warm it will hesitate, shut off, and then no starter at all, not even a click. What is this even supposed to be plugged into? I can’t seem to find another plug on the bike for this. It’s driving me nuts!

No idea what the heck this could be. Any advice would be helpful.

 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2020 | 09:25 PM
  #2  
JustDave13's Avatar
JustDave13
Extreme HDF Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16,271
Likes: 15,108
From: Somewhere SW
Default

The looks like the connecter for your crank/cam position sensor in the nose cone.

Here's what the sensor looks like


 
Attached Thumbnails 1988 Softail Ignition Issues-08070116-standard-motor-products-ignition-sensory-assemblies-harley-sportster-flh-fxs-xls.png  

Last edited by JustDave13; Oct 22, 2020 at 09:30 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hdrlo
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
Apr 2, 2017 12:11 PM
bigirn
EVO
0
Feb 22, 2012 03:34 PM
wh1tetrash
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
May 10, 2008 03:30 PM
wgwebel67
Softail Models
2
Apr 19, 2008 02:42 PM
killdeer
Softail Models
2
Jun 8, 2006 11:00 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:51 PM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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