Had a high idle issue the other day with my 1998 electra glide classic (magnetti marelli EFI). I had rode the bike, parked it, and upon going to ride again about an hour later, idle jumped up to 2000rpm and was stuck there...riding, revving, or twisting throttle the opposite way to get it to "zero" so to speak did nothing. After about 10 mins of riding it like this, it finally came back to where it should at a stoplight (1000rpms). About 30 mins later, bike randomly exhibited the same problem, this time I just got home it shut it down. Just to preface this, idle and throttle cable were adjusted correctly by me previously, so throttle opens all the way and snaps closed.

I removed the air cleaner to see what was going on. The previous owner installed apes with longer cables, and the idle cable always seemed kinked/twisted just before the ball end that hooks into the throttle body (see pics). I also noticed that the the cable housing end doesnt seem to be sitting as deep as the throttle cable does into the throttle body (2nd pic, see where there looks to be brass scratches, where I tried using needle nose to push it in further).

I havent had the bike running because I have been working on the primary, but today i tried adjusting the idle tighter to bring the housing in and straighten up the kinked throttle cable, but then the throttle blades dont close back properly (slow drag instead of snapping closed). Does it look like I need a new idle cable? Is there something I am missing that I could try? Any suggestions are appreciated

 

I had a 98 FLHTCI that started having issues with erratic high idle. I changed the temperature sensor on the front head and that fixed it.

 

Here is the part number for that temperature sensor if you decide to try it.. 32446-95A
It's still available so google that part number and look for the best deal.

 

This should fix your problem, had the same thing on my 1996 FLHTCI

 

Thanks for the input guys! You seem pretty convinced that this is the issue, which if it is, awesome because it doesnt seem like a huge deal to fix..is this common on these evos? The throttle cable that I mentioned doesnt seem like it could be a culprit?

Thanks for the advice!

 

If it once ran fine, then it started acting crazy like you describe, then there isn't an issue with the throttle cables. If you had a head temp sensor that went bad, you should have a code 14 stored. Look in the service manual for how to retrieve the code.

The head temp sensor is a common replacement item. Some go bad pretty quick. I have had to replace mine at around 20k miles 3 times. I keep a spare in my garage.

carl

 

That's a good point...more I think about it too, if the throttle is closing right back to the normal position, then it's not a cable issue, it would have to be something in the fuel injection system. Unfortunately this bike had aftermarket gauges installed by the previous owner, so I have no way of retrieving codes.

I ordered the sensor today from my dealer. Should be here by Wednesday. In the meantime I'll get the old one out so when the new one arrives its install and that's it.

 

High idle is often caused by a failing HTS. HTS will often not throw a code. You can test it by measuring the voltage and resistance of it at a given temperature. Refer to the chart below for that. I had this happen once to my bike. No change after replacing the HTS. Turned out the Idle Speed Control motor was bad. Swapped that out and it fixed it.

OP, try changing the HTS first.

 

What is the HTS?

This bike has a brand new idle air control motor since it was actually removed when I had bought the bike, so i doubt its that.

 

HTS … Head Temp Sensor … same thing we've been telling you about