88FLHTC dying without cause
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Crystal Springs MS.
88FLHTC dying without cause
Okay guys. I need your help. I have a 88 FLHTC runs great cranks with no issue
But now for the third tome while run down the road it simply dies. Just like as if I hit a kill switch and shut down the fire in the ignition system.
The first time I pulled over turned off the switch and turned it back on. Car.mens it up and ran with no problems.
The second time , a couple of days later it did the same thing. Died but would not restart. I pulled the plugs and noticed the front plug wire was very loose. Plugged it back in and gave it a try. Ran great for a couple of days.
Then the third time. Today it dies again. Same type of shutdown. Trailers it home. Have not begun yo start digging
Something is killing the ignition system just like a kill switch. Thoughts? Ideas about what to check? I'm grasping at anything. Fyi. The plug wire seems tight this time. It might be that when I uncooked the battery it reset something. Old
Bro Webb
But now for the third tome while run down the road it simply dies. Just like as if I hit a kill switch and shut down the fire in the ignition system.
The first time I pulled over turned off the switch and turned it back on. Car.mens it up and ran with no problems.
The second time , a couple of days later it did the same thing. Died but would not restart. I pulled the plugs and noticed the front plug wire was very loose. Plugged it back in and gave it a try. Ran great for a couple of days.
Then the third time. Today it dies again. Same type of shutdown. Trailers it home. Have not begun yo start digging
Something is killing the ignition system just like a kill switch. Thoughts? Ideas about what to check? I'm grasping at anything. Fyi. The plug wire seems tight this time. It might be that when I uncooked the battery it reset something. Old
Bro Webb
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 368
Likes: 37
From: Montgomery, Alabama
Heat issue with coil pack? I know down here in alabama we've been having record heat. Some of the guys have mentioned running rough because of it. Or switching to "thump" mode within seconds of getting to a light (lights down here last 4-5 minutes at most of them). I'd say vapor lock/air bubbles in the fuel lines due to heat or bad fuel, but that wouldn't explain why it would run for days and just suddenly die like that. Does all of the electrical go out? Or just the engine itself. As in can you crank when it goes down? Definitely have an odd problem.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Crystal Springs MS.
Soul patch
dont think its heat. Happens when moving down the road Been hot in Mississippi too. After it dies it will soon over fine. Just not firing It is getting gas to the carb Air should not be a issue either.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Crystal Springs MS.
Im not losing all my electrical I think it is just something that is shutting down The ignition system. Lights , radio , cranking all working. Just not firing off when the engine is spinning over.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 2,117
From: W. MI.
I just went through this myself on my 89 UC. Checked all battery connections first. I replaced the relay and the breaker, just because. Found a bunch of dirty wires and corrosion on both. I also didn't like one of the eye connectors going to the breaker. Soldiered a new one on, won't use crimps. Cleaned everything up and no more problem. Oh, disconnect your battery first.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 368
Likes: 37
From: Montgomery, Alabama
I'd start with the coil first. When it shuts down, pull one of lines and crank it over. The only other thing i can think of would be something simple like a ground/connection that maybe heats up and separates just enough. If it's only doing it down the road it seems like heat could be the issue...I just can't place where. I'm also guessing no error codes or panel lights.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Crystal Springs MS.
no error codes or lights. Ill try to pull a plug wire and roll it over and see if that makes a difference after reconnecting it. Ill try to disconnect the battery and then reconnect it to see if that makes a difference as well. Just don't think it is heat as it did it yesterday at 7:30 am and had not been on the road but a couple of miles . I don't mind trouble shooting issues but hate it when its an electrical issue. Those are demonic. They tend to show up and then go hide. I am thinking it is a wire that is shorting out or something . It is a 30 year old bike but to be honest, when she is running i woudl stack her up to any .
And by the way guys thanks for all the input and if anything else comes to mind pop it on here.
And by the way guys thanks for all the input and if anything else comes to mind pop it on here.
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 23
From: Ontario
I had something similar happen on a FLHS I had.Somehow a loose nut managed to get under the ignition switch. I figure it just bounced around under there shorted the breaker and carried on. Gave me fits for a while.
