TBW - Bike is an '05 FLHTC w/stage one filter and flash w/Screaming Eagle touring mufflers. Was on a ride last Monday of just short of 400 mi. and during the last 75 miles the bike starts acting like it's surging when acceleration blends to level RPM riding. Felt like chain slap so as I'm due for a 30K service I figured I'd have the dealer make the adjustment and look at the wear on the cam chain shoes.

I leave for work this morning and while I'm letting her warm up the idle is bouncing between 600 and 1000. Then in first and second gear just putting out of town she acts like bad fuel....trying to cut out, sputtering, but never dies. I get on the highway and roll up to 75 but sputters/cuts all the way up.....I hear a little popping through the pipes as I cruise. Any Ideas Folks what I need to tell service?


[IMG]local://upfiles/16754/4588D91F24E24F27A87CE50487DEFB48.jpg[/IMG]

 

Check engine light on....Any DTC`s stored. Battery cables loose. Charging problem/Battery problem. Loose ground wires to chassis. Loose ECM connector. Bad plug wire. Bad spark plug. Failing coil. Shorting wire to coil. Shorting injector wire. Loose injector connector.
Failing fuel pump. Oil pressure switch to fuel pump signal wire or transducer fault. Failing ECM.
When was the last time you ran some fuel injection cleaner. The only cleaner to use is Chevron with Techron in the black bottle.
Anyone of the items listed above will cause this type of problem. You will need to isolate it down to the root cause by properlyverifying each one. I would start with DTC`s and secondary ignition components first.

 

DR...thanks....Battery and charging system are all good. I'll look at all of the other items listed that I can today.....wires/plugs,etc. Coil/Fuel Pumpand ECM will have to be looked at by the dealer but I thank you for giving me some broad directions...maybe I can eliminate a few of those things today.
Thanks again.

[IMG]local://upfiles/16754/DBE576EFC076479C8863B08D67E6B061.jpg[/IMG]

 

You`ll probably find a plug/wire fault most likely based on your description. Happy Hunting...

 

Sounds like a bad fuel or water in the fuel issue! The symptoms you described are similar, but more diagnotics should be done. The ECM doesn't work well when there is water in the fuel.

 

Bad fuel is what I had originally thought so by the time I got home the other day I had it run down to below a gallon. Filled up this morning at a known good fuel stop, but still doing it. Maybe more miles and it'll clear itself. Plugs look good, all connections I can get to without removing the tank are solid so we'll see what happens.
I appreciate ya'lls help.

 

Mine did the same thing intermittently and started about the same mileage as your bike. It was the engine temperature sensor going bad. Easy fix!

 

You might want to check for intake leaks............

 

check the simple crap first.
battery connections at BOTH ENDS.
Not just tight but clean also.
If neg cable grounds to frame via starter mount as some do, make sure starter is tight.
then pull up your diagnostic codes and see if any are stored.
If so they will point you to the faulty circuit, but not necessarily the failed component.
Pull right side cover. the map / baro sensor is there. It has a small hole in it for air to circulate. Sometimes debris and spiders will clog the hole.

Anything more than that without proper tools and specs from the electronics diagnosis manual you are just p***ing into the wind.
Head temp sensor, throttle position sensor etc could be failing or the idle speed control motor.
Lots of things.
If you don't have the tools, books or background best leave it to the shop.
Hardest part is finding a actual technician not just a parts changer.
good luck.