Cruise Control
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: Calgary
Cruise Control
Howdie folks!
Quick question for some of the electrical wizards out there. I just put on some 10" bars on my 2013 ultra and I was able to test out all of the controls except the cruise control before finalizing everything. After a little research I found out the speed sensor was in the transmission on these bikes so I thought I could put the bike up on a lift and fire it up and put it in gear and get it up to speed and test out the cruise control since up here in Canada the snow and ice already has me stuck in the garage. During the test, I was unable to get cruise to work at all. freaking out a little bit, I pulled the right bar plug and tested continuity on the cruise switch and everything seems to be working fine in there so that ruled out the wiring in the bars being the problem. I suspect the issue came down to the bike using the front wheel abs sensor and not an actual problem with my install since everything on the volt meter seemed to checkout fine. does anyone on here know if the cruise control operates on the front wheel abs sensor rather than the speed sensor in the tranny? I would like to ensure everything is operational before completely buttoning it up.
Thanks.
Quick question for some of the electrical wizards out there. I just put on some 10" bars on my 2013 ultra and I was able to test out all of the controls except the cruise control before finalizing everything. After a little research I found out the speed sensor was in the transmission on these bikes so I thought I could put the bike up on a lift and fire it up and put it in gear and get it up to speed and test out the cruise control since up here in Canada the snow and ice already has me stuck in the garage. During the test, I was unable to get cruise to work at all. freaking out a little bit, I pulled the right bar plug and tested continuity on the cruise switch and everything seems to be working fine in there so that ruled out the wiring in the bars being the problem. I suspect the issue came down to the bike using the front wheel abs sensor and not an actual problem with my install since everything on the volt meter seemed to checkout fine. does anyone on here know if the cruise control operates on the front wheel abs sensor rather than the speed sensor in the tranny? I would like to ensure everything is operational before completely buttoning it up.
Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 713
Likes: 235
From: Florida
My 2002 Road King will not go into cruise control mode while on a lift either. For some screwy reason it must be on the ground and running down the road for it to operate.
It will activate for an instant, with the engine accelerating a bit, then disengage. I suspect it needs a load on the rear wheel for it to operate normally.
It will activate for an instant, with the engine accelerating a bit, then disengage. I suspect it needs a load on the rear wheel for it to operate normally.
Last edited by Rustyg500; Nov 6, 2022 at 06:56 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,496
Likes: 30,783
From: Pennsylvania
HDF Community Team
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 506
Likes: 241
From: CA
Does it have ABS? If so the front ABS sensor likely tells the BCM (ECM?) either the bike isn't moving or the wheel is locked up, and in either case cruise control is kept off - or turned off immediately.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 1,959
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Before ABS was an option, touring Harleys had cruise. And later both cruise and ABS were separate available options. Possible the early bikes did not integrate ABS speed sensors with the cruise control module and the newer bikes probably do.
Last edited by RKZen; Nov 7, 2022 at 04:26 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 2,877
From: Oklahoma
One of the automatic cruise cut off reasons is a sudden increase in engine RPM. Many have questioned why their cruise disconnects when going over a good sized bump. The rear wheel leaves the pavement and with no load, the engine RPM increases almost instantly and the cruise disconnects. I suspect the same happens when the bike is on a lift, no load RPM jump. My owner's manual lists 5 ways the cruise shuts off, both manually and automatically: Front brake, rear brake, roll the throttle forward past idle, pull in the clutch, sudden RPM jump. If none of those work, turn off the cruise switch. Then there is always the master switch-shut down the whole bike, or the engine kill switch. It is easier to work out a problem on the side of the road than while trying to find a clear way through traffic at 80+ mph. Have a plan if the cruise fails to shut off with your preferred method to avoid becoming a grease spot on someone's bumper.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 939
From: Lincolnshire, IL
As a LAST RESORT ONLY, if the cruise control malfunctions (run away speed or won't disengage) and you fear becoming a "grease spot", press the "engine kill switch".
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Tourer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 253
Likes: 98
From: VA
If you wired up everything else correctly, chances are that's correct also. Put it back together and go ride.
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