883 died and won't start
883 died and won't start
Hey guys,
Hope you are all well.
Bike: 2011 Sportster Iron 883
I was out on my bike a couple of days ago. Did about 50 miles. The last couple of miles the bike appeared to get really short lasting power issues (but didn't cut out). I would pull the throttle back and nothing would happen for a few seconds, the engine management light would come out then the power would return and the light would go off. The bike did this about 4 times before dying completely and not starting back up. I have been unable to fire the bike since. I have had the battery on charge for a few days but no luck. The bike tires to start, it seems to be turning okay but won't fire up. I have noticed that when I put it into the run position I no longer hear the noise of the fuel pump priming. I'm assuming the fuel pump may have failed but the fault codes don't reference it.
The bike has been in its current set up for 2 years with an open air filter, rush 3" slip on exhaust and XiED leads. I think some of the codes may relate to the set up of the bike and be historic.
Current Codes -
PO131
PO151
PO152
PO261
PO263
PO505
P1002
P1003
I am sadly unable to get the bike to a garage as its none running at the moment. I was hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction before I start spending money replacing parts that might not need replacing. Sadly I have no ability to clear the codes to see which ones return and there are no mobile bike mechanics in my area that will come out to look at the bike in the garage.
Cheers guys, any help would be fantastic.
Dave.
Hope you are all well.
Bike: 2011 Sportster Iron 883
I was out on my bike a couple of days ago. Did about 50 miles. The last couple of miles the bike appeared to get really short lasting power issues (but didn't cut out). I would pull the throttle back and nothing would happen for a few seconds, the engine management light would come out then the power would return and the light would go off. The bike did this about 4 times before dying completely and not starting back up. I have been unable to fire the bike since. I have had the battery on charge for a few days but no luck. The bike tires to start, it seems to be turning okay but won't fire up. I have noticed that when I put it into the run position I no longer hear the noise of the fuel pump priming. I'm assuming the fuel pump may have failed but the fault codes don't reference it.
The bike has been in its current set up for 2 years with an open air filter, rush 3" slip on exhaust and XiED leads. I think some of the codes may relate to the set up of the bike and be historic.
Current Codes -
PO131
PO151
PO152
PO261
PO263
PO505
P1002
P1003
I am sadly unable to get the bike to a garage as its none running at the moment. I was hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction before I start spending money replacing parts that might not need replacing. Sadly I have no ability to clear the codes to see which ones return and there are no mobile bike mechanics in my area that will come out to look at the bike in the garage.
Cheers guys, any help would be fantastic.
Dave.
Just managed the fire the bike up. Haven't done anything differently. Pump seems to be priming everytime.
Any suggestions as what could be wrong would be great. I don't want it to break down on me again hahaha
Any suggestions as what could be wrong would be great. I don't want it to break down on me again hahaha
Cheers for that really constructive reply.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 443
From: Indianapolis
How to clear the codes-
Harley Trouble Codes (fuelmotousa.com)
When all the DTCs on a module have been cycled the odometer will display "end".
To clear all the DTCs in that module press and hold the trip odometer reset switch.( longer than 5 seconds) until 'clear' comes up.
If DTCs are not to be cleared quickly press and release the trip odometer reset switch.
The part number of the module will be displayed.
Press and release the trip odometer reset switch again to continue to the next module
Not hearing the fuel pump could mean a low battery or possibly a bad system relay.
(since it did finally start after charging the battery it may be a weak battery or your charging system may be not charging the batter)
What is your battery voltage with the bike completely off.
You should see about 12.7 volts with a fully charged battery.
What is the battery voltage with the ignition on and the run / stop switch turned on?
You will probably see about 12.0 - 12.5 volts with a good battery.
What is the battery voltage with the bike running at about 2000 rpms (~twice normal idle speed)
You should see about 14.0 volts if the charging system is working properly.
The System Relay supplies power to the fuel pump (for just a few seconds when the Run/Stop switch is first turned on), the ignition coil and fuel injectors.
Open System Relay contacts could cause the following codes.
P0261 Front Injector Open/Low
P0263 Rear Injector Open/Low
P1003 System relay contacts open
Harley Trouble Codes (fuelmotousa.com)
When all the DTCs on a module have been cycled the odometer will display "end".
To clear all the DTCs in that module press and hold the trip odometer reset switch.( longer than 5 seconds) until 'clear' comes up.
If DTCs are not to be cleared quickly press and release the trip odometer reset switch.
The part number of the module will be displayed.
Press and release the trip odometer reset switch again to continue to the next module
Not hearing the fuel pump could mean a low battery or possibly a bad system relay.
(since it did finally start after charging the battery it may be a weak battery or your charging system may be not charging the batter)
What is your battery voltage with the bike completely off.
You should see about 12.7 volts with a fully charged battery.
What is the battery voltage with the ignition on and the run / stop switch turned on?
You will probably see about 12.0 - 12.5 volts with a good battery.
What is the battery voltage with the bike running at about 2000 rpms (~twice normal idle speed)
You should see about 14.0 volts if the charging system is working properly.
The System Relay supplies power to the fuel pump (for just a few seconds when the Run/Stop switch is first turned on), the ignition coil and fuel injectors.
Open System Relay contacts could cause the following codes.
P0261 Front Injector Open/Low
P0263 Rear Injector Open/Low
P1003 System relay contacts open
Thanks for the advice. I have ordered a new fuel pump and filter gonna swap them out.
I'll get my hands on a battery tester this week and see what the reading are. Not sure about relays and stuff, motor electrics scare me haha
I'll get my hands on a battery tester this week and see what the reading are. Not sure about relays and stuff, motor electrics scare me haha
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
P0261 Front Injector Open/Low
P0263 Rear Injector Open/Low
P1003 System relay contacts open
Usually point to a fault with the system relay. The injectors are powered through it so when it doesn't work the ECM reports injector problems as well.
I wouldn't be so hasty in getting a fuel pump but get a new relay first. In fact get two to keep one as a spare. The contacts on the relay go high resistance. As it is sealed you cannot do much except change it.
The fuel pump living in the fuel tank is not so straightforward to change in comparison to a relay and cost quite a lot of money.
Clean all of the fuse box and legs on the fuses and relays (not the old relay) then apply a small amount of dielectric grease to fuses and relays.
P0263 Rear Injector Open/Low
P1003 System relay contacts open
Usually point to a fault with the system relay. The injectors are powered through it so when it doesn't work the ECM reports injector problems as well.
I wouldn't be so hasty in getting a fuel pump but get a new relay first. In fact get two to keep one as a spare. The contacts on the relay go high resistance. As it is sealed you cannot do much except change it.
The fuel pump living in the fuel tank is not so straightforward to change in comparison to a relay and cost quite a lot of money.
Clean all of the fuse box and legs on the fuses and relays (not the old relay) then apply a small amount of dielectric grease to fuses and relays.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; May 4, 2021 at 09:21 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 443
From: Indianapolis
Can't tell for sure if it is the relay.
You would need a volt meter to test it.
Make sure both ends of both batter cables are clean and tight.
31586-07 RELAY
Works for both the system and start relays (they are the same)
Ronnie's shows a online price of $4.99, Dennis Kirk is $7.95
Ronnie's Harley-Davidson's 2011 Harley Davidson SPORTSTERŽ XL 883L SUPER LOW (CR) | ELECTRICAL - SWITCHES W/ CIRCUIT BREAKERS Parts List (onlinemicrofiche.com)
Standard Motor Products Replacement Starter Relay - MC-RLY9 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle | Dennis Kirk
You would need a volt meter to test it.
Make sure both ends of both batter cables are clean and tight.
31586-07 RELAY
Works for both the system and start relays (they are the same)
Ronnie's shows a online price of $4.99, Dennis Kirk is $7.95
Ronnie's Harley-Davidson's 2011 Harley Davidson SPORTSTERŽ XL 883L SUPER LOW (CR) | ELECTRICAL - SWITCHES W/ CIRCUIT BREAKERS Parts List (onlinemicrofiche.com)
Standard Motor Products Replacement Starter Relay - MC-RLY9 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle | Dennis Kirk
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
You need a 12 volts supply to energise the relay and an ohmmeter to test the switching contacts. The resistance of the contacts should be 0 when closed. It only takes a few ohms and not enough current will flow for the devices it powers.
You do the test on the bench not on the bike.
You do the test on the bench not on the bike.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; May 4, 2021 at 11:09 AM.
Brilliant. Thank for all the advice guys. Really appreciate it. Im based in the UK and harleys aint as popular as jap bikes so getting advice and parts can be a nightmare.
Really appreciate all the help
Really appreciate all the help