Bike going to idle while riding?
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Bike going to idle while riding?
I have a problem with my 08 RK dropping to idle as I'm going down the road. Eng. lite will come on then no throttle response. Pull over shut off and restrt ok for a while more. Then go away for a long time then come back. Need help? Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
This happened to me while on a ride through Montana. The throttle would go dead every so often but it would eventually work if I restarted the bike enough times. I took it in to the H-D dealer in Butte and they didn't want to work on it because I have a PCV on the bike (Never, EVER, go to this dealer for anything!). While I was riding the bike to Missoula H-D the bike quit working for good. Towed it to Missoula at my own expense because the HOG roadside assistance wanted to take it to Butte. Found out it was a broken wire just inside the sheathing below the intake.
You can check this by starting the bike, holding the throttle slightly open, and wiggling the wires. This is how the service guy in Missoula "accidently" found the problem - he pumped the wires and the throttle failed.
I have since determined this is a common problem. I suspect the sharp bend in the wiring combined with heat and vibration are the cause.
One other thought, the service guy in Missoula said he suspected it was because the grips have pulled back, which pulls the spline off the throttle actuator in the end of the handlebars. This is a common problem caused by guys pulling on the grips to back their bikes up. If this was the case it would feel like a broken throttle cable - no resistance.
Good luck.
You can check this by starting the bike, holding the throttle slightly open, and wiggling the wires. This is how the service guy in Missoula "accidently" found the problem - he pumped the wires and the throttle failed.
I have since determined this is a common problem. I suspect the sharp bend in the wiring combined with heat and vibration are the cause.
One other thought, the service guy in Missoula said he suspected it was because the grips have pulled back, which pulls the spline off the throttle actuator in the end of the handlebars. This is a common problem caused by guys pulling on the grips to back their bikes up. If this was the case it would feel like a broken throttle cable - no resistance.
Good luck.
Last edited by badjustbad; Nov 30, 2010 at 02:02 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 2
From: Volusia County, FL
My CEL came back on after 3 other times (ran in limited performance mode). Codes, P1510 and P2138. I dropped the RG off at my dealer and told them the issue. I told them I had it in prior. What they said, was before they only repacked the connections with Nyogel and not replace any pins. Well this time I picked it up, my repair order stated this:
PN# 72168-07 Quantity - Three Terminal Sockets - #18-20 AWG
PN# 72605-08 Quantity - Two Terminal Sockets - 20 AWG (GOLD)
PN# 72605-08 Quantity - One Terminal Socket - 20 AWG (GOLD)
No CEL for about a month now.
I have a TFI (+ V&H intake/V&H mufflers) and my dealer didn't say a word about it.
This TBW worries me, but heck, one reason I got an extended warranty.
Good luck.
PN# 72168-07 Quantity - Three Terminal Sockets - #18-20 AWG
PN# 72605-08 Quantity - Two Terminal Sockets - 20 AWG (GOLD)
PN# 72605-08 Quantity - One Terminal Socket - 20 AWG (GOLD)
No CEL for about a month now.
I have a TFI (+ V&H intake/V&H mufflers) and my dealer didn't say a word about it.
This TBW worries me, but heck, one reason I got an extended warranty.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Throttle problem
Thanks for the help. The first time I had been riding in the rain for 15 hours straight and attributed it to that, but no codes were found. Was good till Sun. when riding I felt a surge and then the CEL came on and it went to idle, but would restart. Possible wire problem thanks for the area to look at.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Found out it was a broken wire just inside the sheathing below the intake.
You can check this by starting the bike, holding the throttle slightly open, and wiggling the wires. This is how the service guy in Missoula "accidently" found the problem - he pumped the wires and the throttle failed.
I have since determined this is a common problem. I suspect the sharp bend in the wiring combined with heat and vibration are the cause.
.
You can check this by starting the bike, holding the throttle slightly open, and wiggling the wires. This is how the service guy in Missoula "accidently" found the problem - he pumped the wires and the throttle failed.
I have since determined this is a common problem. I suspect the sharp bend in the wiring combined with heat and vibration are the cause.
.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 9
From: NYC
Most likely it's a SuperAir says. I have had the same issue, 08 RKC with a 103" engine. Some dealers have replaced the throttle body, some have played with the ECM wires.
Here's the thread i started when it first happened to me:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-failure.html
Good luck with it.
Here's the thread i started when it first happened to me:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-failure.html
Good luck with it.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 9
From: NYC
Oh, one more thing. I first it was water caused because of overnight rain but it went limp a week later when it was dry. On dealer thought it was bad gas. Get real. It happened with different maker's gas. Someone thought it was when the bike got hot, it happened on 45-degree morning five minutes after starting out.
It's the wires somewhere, ECM or throttle body and the danged thing is, you can't seem to get it to happen on demand on account it's electronic.
It's the wires somewhere, ECM or throttle body and the danged thing is, you can't seem to get it to happen on demand on account it's electronic.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I know u posted this a while ago but I'm having the same problem with my Road Glide .. what was your solution
