Diagnostic Codes save MONEY
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
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Diagnostic Codes save MONEY
This past summer I was riding back from Colorado to Illinois. I was on a back road in Nebraska when the bike started running like crap. Surging, wouldn't hold a steady speed. I had to divert 100 miles north to find a dealer in Grand Island. By time I got there the bike was running fine. I explained my situation and that the problem seemed intermittent and the service manager had me pull the bike in. An hour later he told me the tech couldn't find any codes. Back on the road I made it home safe and the bike seemed ok.
Once back I did note a slight drop in mileage of approx. 2-4 mpg highway. Then this past weekend the bike started doing the same thing again. I looked up some things on the Forum and found out how to retrieve and read diagnostic codes thru the speedo. I pulled 7 codes, but not knowing if they were current I cleared them all and took a test ride. When I returned, I pulled two codes.....P0152 & P0154 which pointed me at the rear oxygen sensor.
After work today I called around until I located one. NOTE.....they don't seem to be stocked at most dealers so I may buy an extra front and rear for future need. With tax it was $62 and you know if I had to take the bike in for sure the dealer would have charged me at least $200 not to mention the hassle of bringing it in and arranging a ride home. Anyways it was about a 30 minute EASY job to replace. Took the bike for a ride and when I came home I checked for any codes and there were none.
For those wondering here is the link to the post about the Diagnostic Codes and how to read them. It's really EASY
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ignit...tic-codes.html
Once back I did note a slight drop in mileage of approx. 2-4 mpg highway. Then this past weekend the bike started doing the same thing again. I looked up some things on the Forum and found out how to retrieve and read diagnostic codes thru the speedo. I pulled 7 codes, but not knowing if they were current I cleared them all and took a test ride. When I returned, I pulled two codes.....P0152 & P0154 which pointed me at the rear oxygen sensor.
After work today I called around until I located one. NOTE.....they don't seem to be stocked at most dealers so I may buy an extra front and rear for future need. With tax it was $62 and you know if I had to take the bike in for sure the dealer would have charged me at least $200 not to mention the hassle of bringing it in and arranging a ride home. Anyways it was about a 30 minute EASY job to replace. Took the bike for a ride and when I came home I checked for any codes and there were none.
For those wondering here is the link to the post about the Diagnostic Codes and how to read them. It's really EASY
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ignit...tic-codes.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
it may have worked out in your situation, but be aware that just because a diagnostic code says something like 'rear oxygen sensor', that does not necessarily mean that the sensor itself is bad. just something in that circuit between the sensor and the ecm is 'out of spec'. it could be as simple as a broken wire. just throwing a new part on may or may not fix the problem.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
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it may have worked out in your situation, but be aware that just because a diagnostic code says something like 'rear oxygen sensor', that does not necessarily mean that the sensor itself is bad. just something in that circuit between the sensor and the ecm is 'out of spec'. it could be as simple as a broken wire. just throwing a new part on may or may not fix the problem.
Point well taken. I'll keep an eye on it to see how she runs but I think that was the problem. It was certainly the easiest solution for me to do. Chasing down bad wires isn't something I'm good at and the dealer would hit me up big time. If it turns out the oxygen sensor wasn't the problem, I have eliminated one possibility for the dealer to look at.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
I love days filled with diy's jobs that save me money and hassles. Good job
depending on the situation, replaceing o2 sensers at reasonable intervals can also as you mentioned ,pay for themselves in gas mileage
depending on the situation, replaceing o2 sensers at reasonable intervals can also as you mentioned ,pay for themselves in gas mileage
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
OP, you are VERY fortunate that your project actually saved you money. It has been my experience that when diagnosing a problem, with appliances and automobiles, that a trouble code results in a laundry list of things that the code says that it COULD be. Rarely is it that the code might actually point out the exact part that the problem is.
Getting thru the aforementioned 'laundry list' often entails a 'shotgun approach'...take your best guess, if that ain't it, maybe it's this, and if it ain't those two, maybe try this third thing over here. There is frequently no way to actually test the electronic wonder part that the code says the problem 'could' be. Good example would be the ECM on your Harley...the motherboard on a GE frig...the ECU on any given modern automobile or truck...whatever. And the bad part? Once you buy it, and for certain once you install it, you can't return it!
So my suggestion, sir, is to not get too excited about the modern on board diagnostics on these machines...it doesn't always save you money. That's where the 'seat of the pants' expertise that your service technician brings to the table comes in!
Glad you solved your problem cheaply!!!
Getting thru the aforementioned 'laundry list' often entails a 'shotgun approach'...take your best guess, if that ain't it, maybe it's this, and if it ain't those two, maybe try this third thing over here. There is frequently no way to actually test the electronic wonder part that the code says the problem 'could' be. Good example would be the ECM on your Harley...the motherboard on a GE frig...the ECU on any given modern automobile or truck...whatever. And the bad part? Once you buy it, and for certain once you install it, you can't return it!
So my suggestion, sir, is to not get too excited about the modern on board diagnostics on these machines...it doesn't always save you money. That's where the 'seat of the pants' expertise that your service technician brings to the table comes in!
Glad you solved your problem cheaply!!!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
OP, you are VERY fortunate that your project actually saved you money. It has been my experience that when diagnosing a problem, with appliances and automobiles, that a trouble code results in a laundry list of things that the code says that it COULD be. Rarely is it that the code might actually point out the exact part that the problem is.
Getting thru the aforementioned 'laundry list' often entails a 'shotgun approach'...take your best guess, if that ain't it, maybe it's this, and if it ain't those two, maybe try this third thing over here. There is frequently no way to actually test the electronic wonder part that the code says the problem 'could' be. Good example would be the ECM on your Harley...the motherboard on a GE frig...the ECU on any given modern automobile or truck...whatever. And the bad part? Once you buy it, and for certain once you install it, you can't return it!
So my suggestion, sir, is to not get too excited about the modern on board diagnostics on these machines...it doesn't always save you money. That's where the 'seat of the pants' expertise that your service technician brings to the table comes in!
Glad you solved your problem cheaply!!!
Getting thru the aforementioned 'laundry list' often entails a 'shotgun approach'...take your best guess, if that ain't it, maybe it's this, and if it ain't those two, maybe try this third thing over here. There is frequently no way to actually test the electronic wonder part that the code says the problem 'could' be. Good example would be the ECM on your Harley...the motherboard on a GE frig...the ECU on any given modern automobile or truck...whatever. And the bad part? Once you buy it, and for certain once you install it, you can't return it!
So my suggestion, sir, is to not get too excited about the modern on board diagnostics on these machines...it doesn't always save you money. That's where the 'seat of the pants' expertise that your service technician brings to the table comes in!
Glad you solved your problem cheaply!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 24,984
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From: New York
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Tourer
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In my case I had one other thing going for me which pointed to the oxygen sensor. I noted that my mileage had dropped. I'm **** about logging in my gas mileage on my phone app EVERY time I fill up. And since the code pointed to the oxygen sensor, AND a bad oxygen sensor results in poor gas mileage it seemed logical to me to change it. You can't fix many thing on a Harley for $62
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
You don't seem very confident in your trouble shooting skills, just one part of that includes trouble codes. If you simply replace parts based on codes alone, sure that will bite you again and again. In your case, sure, take it to the "Seat of the pants" guy, while you lighten up the "Wallet in the pants pocket" for them.
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