05 Heritage FLHSTCI cutting out
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Due to budget I had to pick one thing that I could afford to fix this week and I chose injectors. I was thinking that if it was the coil, I should have seen a code reflecting both cylinders or two codes (one for each cylinder). So I've watched a couple of Youtube videos...Any tips before I start putting a wrench on her?
Forgive me if I misunderstood your intentions, but I believe it's even more important on a tight budget to actually inspect/test a part, make sure it's bad, before just replacing it...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 1,490
From: Black Hills of SD
For the question of changing the injectors.
- The injectors can be replaced by lifting the rear of the tank and blocking it as high as you can get it. It's an easy job, and the only part that is a little tricky is getting the right combination of extensions and holder and get the Torx bit up and in for the fuel inlet holding clamp on the left side of the fuel rail. Other than that, it's pretty straightforward.
If you take the tank off, it is very easy - but that damn crossover fuel line on the tank is a PITA, so I elected to leave the tank in place and just lifted the second time I changed mine.
Yes, the second time because one of the knock-off injectors was bad.
For info - I just bought a set of injectors from Ronnies to just have and store. They are the OEM for my bike - Made in Brazil, exactly like the knock-offs I bought on eBay.
Also for info. When checking the injector that was bad - There were no codes, and the injector, when tested with a battery, statically clicked and never missed a beat, as fast as I could activate and deactivate it - But it was bad. No leaking into the cylinder, but the activation or burn pattern must be what was wrong with it.
Easy job. Hope it fixes your problem. Troubleshooting some issues can really be a challenge. I feel your pain, believe me. Best of luck sent your way.
- The injectors can be replaced by lifting the rear of the tank and blocking it as high as you can get it. It's an easy job, and the only part that is a little tricky is getting the right combination of extensions and holder and get the Torx bit up and in for the fuel inlet holding clamp on the left side of the fuel rail. Other than that, it's pretty straightforward.
If you take the tank off, it is very easy - but that damn crossover fuel line on the tank is a PITA, so I elected to leave the tank in place and just lifted the second time I changed mine.
Yes, the second time because one of the knock-off injectors was bad.
For info - I just bought a set of injectors from Ronnies to just have and store. They are the OEM for my bike - Made in Brazil, exactly like the knock-offs I bought on eBay.
Also for info. When checking the injector that was bad - There were no codes, and the injector, when tested with a battery, statically clicked and never missed a beat, as fast as I could activate and deactivate it - But it was bad. No leaking into the cylinder, but the activation or burn pattern must be what was wrong with it.
Easy job. Hope it fixes your problem. Troubleshooting some issues can really be a challenge. I feel your pain, believe me. Best of luck sent your way.
Last edited by MarlinSpike; Aug 14, 2025 at 07:45 AM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 33
Likes: 17
From: Linton, Indiana
You must understand that I am new to motorcycle mechanics. I am a carpenter. I got into this, not because I wanted to, but because it seems that these bikes just love to break down. I do not know how to test the parts. But I am willing to learn. To add, I changed the injectors with new-still cutting out. So I located a new ignition coil at a local Harley shop. Bought it and changed it. Still cutting out. I am about ready to ride it off of a cliff. Forgive me but I'm starting to feel like these bikes are junk.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 33
Likes: 17
From: Linton, Indiana
So now I've changed the plugs, plug wires, crank postion sensor, both injectors, and now the ignition coil. Getting plenty of experience that I don't want. I want to ride the f*cking thing. I guess I'm expecting too much. Really disappointed. Didn't know these bikes had so many issues.
Rant over.
What do I look at next?
Rant over.
What do I look at next?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 33
Likes: 17
From: Linton, Indiana
How do I know if my throttle position sensor is bad?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,104
Likes: 13,048
From: Texas, USA
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,900
Likes: 11,342
From: NE Ohio
no offense intended, I promise
but stop spending money tossing parts at it, and pay a reputable pro wrench to diagnose the problem.
KTF
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 1,490
From: Black Hills of SD
If you want to do it yourself - Get the factory service manuals. They are worth the money tenfold. Ebay is where to find them.
I went through a very similar situation as you are enduring with my bike. Turned out to be a few things at once. I had a bad spark plug lead and a bad fuel injector that I replaced [ cheap knock-off] while troubleshooting, and a poor fuel map. About drove me crazy, but finally got it.
I went through a very similar situation as you are enduring with my bike. Turned out to be a few things at once. I had a bad spark plug lead and a bad fuel injector that I replaced [ cheap knock-off] while troubleshooting, and a poor fuel map. About drove me crazy, but finally got it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 4,272
From: Granville New York
Ill be honest...for a guy on a tight budget you're sure spending alot of unnecessary money. Slow down...these are great motorcycles that can have issues just like any thing mechanical or man made. Have you done any fuel system diagnosis? Most auto parts stores will loan tools, find a fuel pressure tester. Im leaning towards a dirty fuel filter, or a faulty regulator maybe? Based on it cutting out in all the gears at higher rpm could indicate a fuel delivery problem.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 33
Likes: 17
From: Linton, Indiana
This is a contradiction in terms. "STOP SPENDING MONEY throwing parts on it" - "PAY a reputable prowrench to diagnose the problem". At least when changing the parts, I have a new part out of the deal. The "prowrench" charges me an arm and a leg to tell me what it probably is, or could be. For the price that these guys charge, I might as well just cough up another 5k and buy another used bike.