The All things ROAD KING SPECIAL THREAD
Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 149
Likes: 27
From: Exit 160, NJ
One thing sounds odd; you wrote " then realized I was coasting (just like running out of fuel)" Did you not have a noticeable deceleration from compression braking? When I bump my run/stop I know right away due to engine braking. When you restarted it, do you recall what steps you took such as cycling the dash ignition or checking the run/stop handlebar switch?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 170
Likes: 127
From: San Diego
It felt like it was coasting in Neutral with no engine sound, no engine braking, I downshifted to 2nd during the confusion, but once I realized there was no throttle response, I pulled over, saw the CEL lit, shut the run/stop switch off, then ignition switch on the tank. Then my instinct was to restart and it fired up like normal, no CEL. When I came home, I cycled the selector switch while in acc mode to look for fault codes and all three fields showed NONE for all modes.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 149
Likes: 27
From: Exit 160, NJ
After deeper search, I found a YT link with a similar issue which goes on par with what my buddy who is somewhat of a bike mechanic told me that he's seen other HD's with similar issues stemming from an ECM glitch and just needs to be restarted, hopefully I will not see this issue again.
Here is the link:
In the above, there is a post which explains how to reset our ECM:
"That process resets the TGS to "0" - See: TT380A- October 16, 2008 - High Idle Complaints on 2008 Touring Models and later. "It is a necessary procedure anytime you replace ECM, TGS or Reflash the calibration to cycle the Ignition switch 4 times, waiting 10 full seconds after keying off between cycles, to relearn zero TGS position. Failure to do this may result in decreased throttle sensitivity."
Keep in mind that if you have an aftermarket tune, it might reset it.
Here is the link:
In the above, there is a post which explains how to reset our ECM:
"That process resets the TGS to "0" - See: TT380A- October 16, 2008 - High Idle Complaints on 2008 Touring Models and later. "It is a necessary procedure anytime you replace ECM, TGS or Reflash the calibration to cycle the Ignition switch 4 times, waiting 10 full seconds after keying off between cycles, to relearn zero TGS position. Failure to do this may result in decreased throttle sensitivity."
Keep in mind that if you have an aftermarket tune, it might reset it.
Last edited by ElectroMike; Oct 1, 2025 at 06:56 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 170
Likes: 127
From: San Diego
After deeper search, I found a YT link with a similar issue which goes on par with what my buddy who is somewhat of a bike mechanic told me that he's seen other HD's with similar issues stemming from an ECM glitch and just needs to be restarted, hopefully I will not see this issue again.
Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ZO5RZa7y0&t=197s
In the above, there is a post which explains how to reset our ECM:
"That process resets the TGS to "0" - See: TT380A- October 16, 2008 - High Idle Complaints on 2008 Touring Models and later. "It is a necessary procedure anytime you replace ECM, TGS or Reflash the calibration to cycle the Ignition switch 4 times, waiting 10 full seconds after keying off between cycles, to relearn zero TGS position. Failure to do this may result in decreased throttle sensitivity."
Keep in mind that if you have an aftermarket tune, it might reset it.
Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ZO5RZa7y0&t=197s
In the above, there is a post which explains how to reset our ECM:
"That process resets the TGS to "0" - See: TT380A- October 16, 2008 - High Idle Complaints on 2008 Touring Models and later. "It is a necessary procedure anytime you replace ECM, TGS or Reflash the calibration to cycle the Ignition switch 4 times, waiting 10 full seconds after keying off between cycles, to relearn zero TGS position. Failure to do this may result in decreased throttle sensitivity."
Keep in mind that if you have an aftermarket tune, it might reset it.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 2,206
From: Midlothian, VA
Can't say why but your post has really stuck with me. Googled it and sure enough the Milwaukee 8 does have electronic compression release for startup. This would account for the lack of engine braking. Still can't figure how or why it would come on with an ignition failure but maybe a built in safety measure to prevent abrupt speed changes? This is still one heck of a mystery.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 170
Likes: 127
From: San Diego
Sorry for the late response. Retirement really is busy! I totally agree, there in is the mystery. Like somehow there is an electrical gremlin causing it to kick in when it should not?? These bikes are so very complex now. Canbus, EFI and CDI's have changed so much. Can't get by anymore with a dwell meter and volt/ohm gauge! That new brake bleeding tool you have (super jealous by the way) is a perfect example!
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 2,206
From: Midlothian, VA
Sorry for the late response. Retirement really is busy! I totally agree, there in is the mystery. Like somehow there is an electrical gremlin causing it to kick in when it should not?? These bikes are so very complex now. Canbus, EFI and CDI's have changed so much. Can't get by anymore with a dwell meter and volt/ohm gauge! That new brake bleeding tool you have (super jealous by the way) is a perfect example!