2002 Ultra Classic died on freeway
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 10
Likes: 11
From: Texas
2002 Ultra Classic died on freeway
Howdy HD riders
Today was taking my 2002 FLHTCUI to the Woodlands in Texas. Needed some stuff from Cycle Gear. I hit stop-and-go traffic for 15 minutes or so on I-45 S in Conroe. Everything was going fine until suddenly all of the electronics and the engine completely cut off. Was not too hot out today - 70s?
Sat on the side of I-45 for a while. Maybe 20-30 minutes. I was concerned I had overheated the bike. After the 20-30 minutes the bike fired right up. I went and got dinner and then rode the bike 1.5 hours home no problems, though I avoided stop-and-go conditions as I could.
Any thoughts on what could cause it? How could I tell if I overheated the bike? There were no warning signs such as odd smells or weird engine sounds. Everything seemed normal until the moment the bike just went dead.
I found some old posts about the 40-amp breaker recall https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-heating.html My bike's issues today sound very similar to this. Could it be this? Is that breaker designed to protect the engine from overheating?
Appreciate any thoughts.
Today was taking my 2002 FLHTCUI to the Woodlands in Texas. Needed some stuff from Cycle Gear. I hit stop-and-go traffic for 15 minutes or so on I-45 S in Conroe. Everything was going fine until suddenly all of the electronics and the engine completely cut off. Was not too hot out today - 70s?
Sat on the side of I-45 for a while. Maybe 20-30 minutes. I was concerned I had overheated the bike. After the 20-30 minutes the bike fired right up. I went and got dinner and then rode the bike 1.5 hours home no problems, though I avoided stop-and-go conditions as I could.
Any thoughts on what could cause it? How could I tell if I overheated the bike? There were no warning signs such as odd smells or weird engine sounds. Everything seemed normal until the moment the bike just went dead.
I found some old posts about the 40-amp breaker recall https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-heating.html My bike's issues today sound very similar to this. Could it be this? Is that breaker designed to protect the engine from overheating?
Appreciate any thoughts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,525
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
Do the YouTube on checking the maintenance codes just by chance it may have thrown one. Yours only shows a limited number in flashes I think.
If it was the breaker or even loose battery connections, that's just like a key off. So no code for that.
If it was the breaker or even loose battery connections, that's just like a key off. So no code for that.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 2, 2024 at 07:48 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
Likes: 9,209
From: Snow Hill, NC
Get you a can of spray electronics cleaner QD cleaner , spray the hell out of your switches on the handlebars specially the on of switch. Was everything turned off when this happened? It might be your ignition switch assembly. Check to see if it stored a code but on a 02 Im not sure if it does store it? It is a 22 years old machine, stuff will fail or malfunction at times. It happened once on my 07. I suspect the ignition switch, My maintenance guy at work now has my bike, we talked about this the other day.
Last edited by Notgrownup; Mar 2, 2024 at 06:11 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
There are too many variables and a lot of unknowns.
We can not see the bike and have very limited data on it.
From a distance and based on the limited information I would review charging system to start.
Review battery, the 4 battery cable ends and charging at idle.
Reason:
A weak battery and long idle mixed with electrical consumers could shut bike down.
The circuit breaker change should also be considered since it is cheap and can age out.
We can not see the bike and have very limited data on it.
From a distance and based on the limited information I would review charging system to start.
Review battery, the 4 battery cable ends and charging at idle.
Reason:
A weak battery and long idle mixed with electrical consumers could shut bike down.
The circuit breaker change should also be considered since it is cheap and can age out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,245
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
If all electric died, and then eventually came back on without doing anything else could be breaker, could ignition if you cycled it. I had bad switch. Could be battery have heard about them being erratic but my guess first two more likely
I would by the breaker just cause yours is old, and rule it out. I would buy Harley for their spec, but that is just me
I would check battery cables cause it is cheap and easy. But if you didn't touch, probably not that.
I would by the breaker just cause yours is old, and rule it out. I would buy Harley for their spec, but that is just me
I would check battery cables cause it is cheap and easy. But if you didn't touch, probably not that.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I'd put loose battery connection as common culprit for this kind of event.
Conveniently, it's a quick and easy check.
Conveniently, it's a quick and easy check.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,245
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
He was riding when it happened. All electronics turned off.
If I got it correct. Problem with these threads is no one cares about your life story. So they gloss over it and miss the facts
I think we should have sticky you could cut and paste filling in
If I got it correct. Problem with these threads is no one cares about your life story. So they gloss over it and miss the facts
I think we should have sticky you could cut and paste filling in
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,534
Likes: 8,369
From: Inland NW
So, you think this is his life's story:
"Today was taking my 2002 FLHTCUI to the Woodlands in Texas. Needed some stuff from Cycle Gear. " ??
The OP then goes on to tell the issue.
The irony is thick! All you do is tell stories about yourself, usually. Now you try to be Mr. Helpful, and complain about the OP?
To the OP, as mentioned, do the electrical 101 first, start at the battery connections.
Good luck!
