Problem with Heritage Softail Custom. Ideas?
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Problem with Heritage Softail Custom. Ideas?
I have a 2005 HD Heritage Softail Custom. It has a twin cam 88 with a big bore kit making it 95 cubic inches. It also has Vance & Hines short shot exhaust and a high flow air filter kit on it. It has 15,000 miles on it right now, and I have had it since it had 0.
I have a problem no one at HD can fix, and it has been a problem since it was brand new and has left me stranded many times over the past 6 years. Here are the symptoms:
The engine must be at full operating temperature. Also, it seems to quit running when the ambient temperature is over 95 degrees. The engine will begin popping and backfiring, it acts like an engine out of time. This lasts only a few seconds before it shuts down completely. Then, if it starts at all, it dies if you try to put any power to it. At that point, it will not run again until the engine has cooled stone cold, usually over night. Once cold, the engine will fire right up and run like a top until this phenomenon repeats itself. It could run 100 or several thousand miles before it happens again. Last time, it went 340 miles then shut down. Fired up the next day and ran around 400 miles, no break down.
Here is what HD has done to try to fix this issue:
Replaced injectors twice
Replaced coil
Rebuilt entire top end (That's why it has the big bore kit)
Replaced all fuses and relays
The problem is HD has never been able to diagnose the issue because it never does this when they have it. By the time I get it to the shop, it is running like a top and everything checks out on their diagnostics.
The engine runs strong in between the breakdowns, but the unpredictability of the bike takes the fun out of riding it. I am always anticipating the next breakdown.
If anyone has experienced this, or has a fix, I would appreciate some advice.
Thanks
I have a problem no one at HD can fix, and it has been a problem since it was brand new and has left me stranded many times over the past 6 years. Here are the symptoms:
The engine must be at full operating temperature. Also, it seems to quit running when the ambient temperature is over 95 degrees. The engine will begin popping and backfiring, it acts like an engine out of time. This lasts only a few seconds before it shuts down completely. Then, if it starts at all, it dies if you try to put any power to it. At that point, it will not run again until the engine has cooled stone cold, usually over night. Once cold, the engine will fire right up and run like a top until this phenomenon repeats itself. It could run 100 or several thousand miles before it happens again. Last time, it went 340 miles then shut down. Fired up the next day and ran around 400 miles, no break down.
Here is what HD has done to try to fix this issue:
Replaced injectors twice
Replaced coil
Rebuilt entire top end (That's why it has the big bore kit)
Replaced all fuses and relays
The problem is HD has never been able to diagnose the issue because it never does this when they have it. By the time I get it to the shop, it is running like a top and everything checks out on their diagnostics.
The engine runs strong in between the breakdowns, but the unpredictability of the bike takes the fun out of riding it. I am always anticipating the next breakdown.
If anyone has experienced this, or has a fix, I would appreciate some advice.
Thanks
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
My fist thought is it could be a pin hole in the fuel line for the fuel pump inside the gas tank. I had this happen with my 20002 and it ran extremely erratically when the gas level went below the hole in the fuel line. Do you have a tuner? What kind? Wht kind of map? Have you tried taking teh tuner off the bike and running it without the tuner? If not have you tried addinmg one with a good tune?
It could also be a crack in the fuel line from the injectors to the gas tank.
Drew
It could also be a crack in the fuel line from the injectors to the gas tank.
Drew
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 215
Likes: 6
From: ronkonkoma,ny
had a very similar problem on my 01 fltri about 2-3 yrs ago.bike would run fine just cut out ,stop running,still has elec,no throttle response if it was still running,would happen get to side of road wait w minute cycle the ignition,then would start and run fine,for 100 to 300 miles.somtimes would cut out again right away.after replacing every sensor some twice the problem still persisted.hd kept blaming power commander,anyway after months of guessing and replacing sensore i finally had enough and replaced the ecm.since no codes were being stored and everything andd i mean everything else from sp plug wired,coil,cam@crank position sensors,aic sensors,main relay and ignition wires checked,i felt the ecm had to be it.hd replaced ecm 30k ago and never a problem sice.2001 roadglide 85k.good luck
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: New England
My Xbones had less tha 1000 miles when I began a trip to the Blue Ridge Pkwy. I got about 20 miles down the road and one cylinder cut out. I limped back to the dealer. He wiggled wires and said it was fixed. I made it 5 miles before the problem reocurred. He replaced the coil and said it was fixed. I went to get on the bike and it immediately started missing again. He took it back and replaced the ECM. Everything has been fine since (4000 miles). My vote is you have an ECM problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
+1 on ECM issues.
First thing I would do is unplug the ECM and fill the connector with dielectric grease and put it back together. See if it changes. Then if no difference I would replace the computer or reprogram it. Either HD download or TTS mastertune would be my choice. Of course it could be the ECM itself in that case a new one or a T-Max might be the best option.
It definitely sounds like electronics to me.
First thing I would do is unplug the ECM and fill the connector with dielectric grease and put it back together. See if it changes. Then if no difference I would replace the computer or reprogram it. Either HD download or TTS mastertune would be my choice. Of course it could be the ECM itself in that case a new one or a T-Max might be the best option.
It definitely sounds like electronics to me.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Another +1 on the ECM. Overheats and fails, cools down and runs.
To prove it our carry some frozen jell packs with you and next time it overheats apply one the the ECU.
To prove it our carry some frozen jell packs with you and next time it overheats apply one the the ECU.
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 9
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From: Dallas, TX
Thanks for the input! I appreciate the responses and the things to try. I sure hope I cacn get this bike running reliably!
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
+1 on ECM issues.
First thing I would do is unplug the ECM and fill the connector with dielectric grease and put it back together. See if it changes. Then if no difference I would replace the computer or reprogram it. Either HD download or TTS mastertune would be my choice. Of course it could be the ECM itself in that case a new one or a T-Max might be the best option.
It definitely sounds like electronics to me.
First thing I would do is unplug the ECM and fill the connector with dielectric grease and put it back together. See if it changes. Then if no difference I would replace the computer or reprogram it. Either HD download or TTS mastertune would be my choice. Of course it could be the ECM itself in that case a new one or a T-Max might be the best option.
It definitely sounds like electronics to me.
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