Random Shut Off

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May 8, 2011 | 08:37 PM

HarleyMan1983

Thread Starter

4th Gear

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

Random Shut Off

Went for a ride today only to have the bike randomly shut off and leave me stranded on the side of the road. It has done this once before but after it died I gave it a couple of minutes and she fired back up no problem. This time I wasn't so lucky. The bike just died like it was running out of fuel so I quickly dumped the clutch and pulled off to the side of the road. I double checked the tank and I would estimate it to be half full. After a dozen or so failed attempts to start the bike I finally broke down and called a friend with a pickup truck for a lift. The bike is a 1999 sportster sport. I had just changed my oil and filter earlier in the morning as well as cleaned her off with a hose. Is it possible that water somehow got into some of the electrical. Anyone else experience any similar problems? Any opinions or suggestions are welcome.

May 8, 2011 | 09:24 PM

jkinner

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 560

Likes: 88

From: Gila Bend AZ

Not to be a smart *** but did you switch to reserve on the fuel valve?

May 8, 2011 | 10:48 PM

wahlumsurfer

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,039

Likes: 0

From: Central FL

How old is your battery? Loose connection?

May 8, 2011 | 10:56 PM

jthepipeguy38

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 221

Likes: 0

From: shreveport, La

IF it did it before coil maybe shot??

May 8, 2011 | 11:30 PM

tingchiyen

Novice

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

Encountered that before on a friend's HD turned out to be a loose battery connection. You might want to check that first.

May 9, 2011 | 01:11 AM

br401k

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 167

Likes: 0

From: warwick, ri

negative side of the battery

May 9, 2011 | 06:25 AM

woodworking1

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 765

Likes: 1

From: Maryland

If the bike started after the wash, it isnt water related.
I would check the coil, but it's a shot in the dark. If it's acting good, it will read good.
It could also be the ignition module. They act up when hot if they are going bad.
Maybe the fuel filter.
Definitely check all your battery connections.
Good luck!

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May 9, 2011 | 07:30 AM

WVHogRider

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 4,525

Likes: 8

From: Wheeling, WV

Check your VOES and the vacuum line going to it. The line may have dry rotted and is not allowing fuel to flow because the vacuum is leaking. Also check the 90* connectors on the coil. Pull the connector and give them a real good squeeze so you can hear it sliding back on the ridged stud. I had both happen to me leaving me on the side of the road for a while. Your battery and everything should be fine since you're able to crank it over and it just acted like you ran out of fuel. When my 90* connector loosened up, the speedo power and needle were jumping/turning off as the bike started sputtering. When the vacuum line rotted all the way through, it just stalled as there was no gas flowing.