Engine idle speed
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 201
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From: Pacific Northwest
Engine idle speed
I have an '08 S/G and recently I noticed when I come to a stop (such as a stop light) the engine idles up to approx. 1500rpm. I'll twist the throttle ever so slightly as to slow the speed down and then it will drop, but as soon as I take my hand off the throttle it goes right back up to 1500rpms.
This also happens on initial start up but the idle speed goes to approx. 2200-2500. Then I twist the throttle down, speed drops, let go of the throttle and it zooms right back up again. WHAT GIVES? Are the fly-by-wires having issues?
What do you guys think? Any ideas?
Thanks.
This also happens on initial start up but the idle speed goes to approx. 2200-2500. Then I twist the throttle down, speed drops, let go of the throttle and it zooms right back up again. WHAT GIVES? Are the fly-by-wires having issues?What do you guys think? Any ideas?
Thanks.
Last edited by HD-EZ2NV; Oct 3, 2008 at 09:32 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
There is nothing wrong with the "trottle by wire", per say,
but the computer is resetting itself to a higher idle speed.
According to HD:
The computer reads the last 4 idles when the switch is turned off.
It seems that if you ever so slightly had your hand on the trottle when you turned it off it resets itself a little higher idle.
I still think it just does it on its own, but that's just my opinion.
It's an easy fix.
HD says:
With the bike motor and switch off,
turn the switch on and off slowly 4 times.
Then when you restart it should be back to normal.
I have had to do it twice in the last couple of weeks, and about three times the three months before that.
Glad to hear no trouble on the 09s.
HD also says it will have a warrenty fix for this sometime soon.
But they said that last July. LOL
but the computer is resetting itself to a higher idle speed.
According to HD:
The computer reads the last 4 idles when the switch is turned off.
It seems that if you ever so slightly had your hand on the trottle when you turned it off it resets itself a little higher idle.
I still think it just does it on its own, but that's just my opinion.
It's an easy fix.
HD says:
With the bike motor and switch off,
turn the switch on and off slowly 4 times.
Then when you restart it should be back to normal.
I have had to do it twice in the last couple of weeks, and about three times the three months before that.
Glad to hear no trouble on the 09s.
HD also says it will have a warrenty fix for this sometime soon.
But they said that last July. LOL
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 31
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Had the same problem on my 08, took it to the dealer and they said that I was the 8th one they had looked at with the same problem. They had to download a new program into the computer and it's been fine for about 2 months now. There is also a manual way of resetting it by turning the ignition on and off a series of times with the switch in the on position, but the dealer said it will eventually go to high idle again using this method.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 201
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From: Pacific Northwest
Well, I just tried the on/off thing and waddayaknow, It worked.
Thanks you guys, but I'll keep my eye on it. Made an appt. with the dealer next week about the problem.
Not going to call it a POS just 'cause of that. Though the '09's are nice, I am curious to see what kind of bugs will be popping up with the 1st model year. But I still won't consider it a POS.
Thanks again.
Thanks you guys, but I'll keep my eye on it. Made an appt. with the dealer next week about the problem.
Not going to call it a POS just 'cause of that. Though the '09's are nice, I am curious to see what kind of bugs will be popping up with the 1st model year. But I still won't consider it a POS.
Thanks again.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 269
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From:
I too had the High idle issue. It just so happened that I was at my dealer when it happened so I turned the bike around and went straight to the service dept. They told me to pull the bike into the service bay and 15 minutes later they updated the ECm with a new flash and all has been well ever since.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
Well, I just tried the on/off thing and waddayaknow, It worked.
Thanks you guys, but I'll keep my eye on it. Made an appt. with the dealer next week about the problem.
Not going to call it a POS just 'cause of that. Though the '09's are nice, I am curious to see what kind of bugs will be popping up with the 1st model year. But I still won't consider it a POS.
Thanks again.
Thanks you guys, but I'll keep my eye on it. Made an appt. with the dealer next week about the problem.
Not going to call it a POS just 'cause of that. Though the '09's are nice, I am curious to see what kind of bugs will be popping up with the 1st model year. But I still won't consider it a POS.
Thanks again.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,750
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From: Bucks County PA
Texasfatboy has your answer. Should work like a charm. I've never had the issue. I don't use the kill switch to shut the bike. There is an age old tendency to give it a twist just before shut down. Resist the twist.
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This thread does not concern me since I have an 07, but it sure is nice when riders on this forum are able to help another rider out with a problem that could drive them nuts trying to figure it out without help.
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From: Hoboken, New Jersey
The fix for the 08' models (dont know about 09' yet) is to turn the ignition off and the kill switch to run. Then turn the ign switch to on for 8 seconds and back off for 4 seconds. Repeat this 4 consecutive times and the ECM will reset the engine idle speed back to the stock factory setting. I have done it several times, and it does work. It explains the procedure in the 08' Touring service manual in more detail.