Check Engine Light1998 Classic
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville, MN
Check Engine Light1998 Classic
I recently purchased '98 Electra Glide Classic 95th Anniversary with a bone stock engine and \\;37,000 miles on the clock. Upon putting on my first 100 miles the check engine light came on. It ended up that both battery cables were loose. I tightend them down and the engine light turned off. Since then, I have clocked another 900 miles or so and the engine light has reappeared. Only now it comes on then goes out, comes on for awhile then goes out for a short while then comes on etc. It happens on a cold start or warm start, idle, or any rpm. \\;I checked to see if the battery cables had come loose again but they were nice and tight. The frustating part is there seems to be no particular pattern on when it comes on and off. The engine seems to running great, oil pressure is normal. I do get a mild to moderate backfire quite often when rolling OFF the throttle when shifting gears.
Has anyone else had a similar situation? If so, any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Has anyone else had a similar situation? If so, any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
RE: Check Engine Light1998 Classic
Check your battery, Ive had it happen on my 98 eg standard police twice. 1st time was in 2003 and then again this year. Both times it was the battery. My fault for having 5 year old batteries. You may also check the rest of your charging system. Check your service manual for the procedure. You can also look up how to check trouble codes in your manual. Hope this helps.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville, MN
RE: Check Engine Light1998 Classic
Thank you pyro66. The guy I bought the bike from said the battery was new last year. I will check the ground on the frame. Good idea. Thanks again.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
RE: Check Engine Light1998 Classic
Search the forum for engine codes. \\; You really need to determine what the code number is and it's meaning before you can fix anything. \\; I had to decipher a code when I was getting an intermittent engine light warning. \\; If you can do it with that 98 model, it will save you some time and money if you do it yourself. \\; One of my bikes is an 04 Ultra, and the problem that was causing the code on that bike was a loose front spark plug cap. \\; All I had to do was snap the cap down on the plug...thats all!. \\; \\; But I would not have known unless I had actually put the bike in diagnostic mode, got the code number, \\; and looked up the coresponding code definition for myself. (the definition was somethiing like 'front cylinder ignition failure'... \\; So good luck with chasing the problem that's causing the system to throw that code. \\; I bet it's nothing major at all.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville, MN
RE: Check Engine Light1998 Classic
Thanks Lowcounrty. I ordered a service manual a few days ago. Should be in Monday. Certainly will check out the procedure. I'm also thinking it's something very simple. I just learned you have to wait for the engine light to go out prior to starting the engine \\;and I have not been waiting. Could that set a code?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
RE: Check Engine Light1998 Classic
on my 1998 road king classic with fuel inj. you can read the codes doing the following:
1-turn ignition key switch to ignition and then turn off 1 second after fuel pump stops.
2.repeat #1 again..remember 1 second after pump stops
3.turn ignition key switch to ignition and wait about 8 seconds for a bunch of flashing of the check engine light
it will then stop for 2 seconds..get ready... these are the codes you must count:
it will slowly flash 1,2,3,5....there is NO 4....this is the first digit of the 2 digit code ..so it can only be 1,2,3,5  \\; __ __
then a 2 second pause...then you will get second digit of the 2 digit code..it can only be 1,2,3,4,5,6
remember after the complete 2 digit code is given you will go back to the rapid flash sequence..
there are a total of 15 codes available with this procedure
examples
52,53,54,55 bad news ECM replacement
56 crank/cam sensor
11 throttle sensor
12 barometric
23 and 32 are injectors front/rear
24 coil
33 fuel pump relayin this case you would not hear the pump but instead waited 3 seconds after the on / off sequence
*
in order to erase any codes you must disconnect the battery or wait for 50 on and off riding cycles
1-turn ignition key switch to ignition and then turn off 1 second after fuel pump stops.
2.repeat #1 again..remember 1 second after pump stops
3.turn ignition key switch to ignition and wait about 8 seconds for a bunch of flashing of the check engine light
it will then stop for 2 seconds..get ready... these are the codes you must count:
it will slowly flash 1,2,3,5....there is NO 4....this is the first digit of the 2 digit code ..so it can only be 1,2,3,5  \\; __ __
then a 2 second pause...then you will get second digit of the 2 digit code..it can only be 1,2,3,4,5,6
remember after the complete 2 digit code is given you will go back to the rapid flash sequence..
there are a total of 15 codes available with this procedure
examples
52,53,54,55 bad news ECM replacement
56 crank/cam sensor
11 throttle sensor
12 barometric
23 and 32 are injectors front/rear
24 coil
33 fuel pump relayin this case you would not hear the pump but instead waited 3 seconds after the on / off sequence
*
in order to erase any codes you must disconnect the battery or wait for 50 on and off riding cycles
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 2
RE: Check Engine Light1998 Classic
smyers,
 \\;
I had a similar problem with my 1998 Ultra anni(bought it used about 9 months ago) \\;and it turned out to be a code thing. I let the dealer screw with it as it was still under an extended warranty.
 \\;
Did all anniversary come with EFI or did some have carbs? \\; Which does your have?
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
I had a similar problem with my 1998 Ultra anni(bought it used about 9 months ago) \\;and it turned out to be a code thing. I let the dealer screw with it as it was still under an extended warranty.
 \\;
Did all anniversary come with EFI or did some have carbs? \\; Which does your have?
 \\;
 \\;
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
RE: Check Engine Light1998 Classic
also after reading codes.
consider review of following.
1-are pipes original ? if they have been punched-out or are free flowing you may have a lean condition...mild/moderate backfire.
2-look at plugs..are they white/white/white...very lean!..possible backfire on decel.
3-air cleaner orig. or open flow possible lean condition.
4- any of the above could cause a check engine light..does bike have a fuel management? power commander or other?
5- finally the cam position sensor starts to go after a while..some symptoms: bike burps or farts first time you press starts but on second catches immediatley..also you see melted stuff drip out wire hole in the bottom of chrome timer cone near bottom of frame ..throttle side.
*i would not be surprised if you read a code #56 cam sensor..and was also running lean.
consider review of following.
1-are pipes original ? if they have been punched-out or are free flowing you may have a lean condition...mild/moderate backfire.
2-look at plugs..are they white/white/white...very lean!..possible backfire on decel.
3-air cleaner orig. or open flow possible lean condition.
4- any of the above could cause a check engine light..does bike have a fuel management? power commander or other?
5- finally the cam position sensor starts to go after a while..some symptoms: bike burps or farts first time you press starts but on second catches immediatley..also you see melted stuff drip out wire hole in the bottom of chrome timer cone near bottom of frame ..throttle side.
*i would not be surprised if you read a code #56 cam sensor..and was also running lean.