I'm looking for some help. I've never owned a Harley and just got a 01 ultra classic. My problem is it won't idle while cold. Is there a procedure to set the idle? Any known problems that cause this? Any help appreciated

 

Is it carbed or injected? May be a stupid question, but if it carburated are you pulling the choke?

 

It's fuel injected so no choke.

 

Hi, I have an '01 too. I don't know if this helps or not, but once I had to fill up with regular and my bike acted the same. I could barely keep it running until it warmed up. I pured a litttle octane boost in the tank and it settled down though. Seems they really crave the premium fuel. Other than that maybe check your plugs or injectors?

 

On your 01 with its Magneti Marrelli fuel injection system you have a fast idle solenoid that activates when the engine is cold to provide a faster idle. Either your engine temp sensor is defective, your fast idle solenoid is defective or it could be out of adjustment which is the most common problem. Finding a shop with experianced techs that know the older MM systems is difficult. Kind of like finding an experianced mechanic to work on an old muscle car's carberator now days. Look for grey hair.

 

I've installed new plugs,always used premium. Once it warms up it idles ok

 

Does anyone know how I can set this myself without taking it to the stealership

 

If you have a service manual you can.

 

Try some Seafoam it may help!

 

Here's a couple of tips I found I had a MM on my 01 RK and was lucky enough to find a tech that new what he was doing:

This is a very simple and effective way of adjusting your cold idle. If you start the engine stone cold and it idles below 1200 rpm (after it stabilizes) then turn the cold idle screw (in linkage, on the side that rotates with the throttle plates) in. If it's over 1300 rpm, then turn the screw out (therefore, set cold idle speed at 1200 rpm for TC-88's)It's that easy . Also, to guarantee that the idle will be recognized by the ECM, run the bike until it's fully warmed up, turn the hot idle (in the throttle body, forward of the front intake, near the bottom) up to 1200 rpm, shut off the ignition and pull the 5 amp fuse (in the fuse holder on the ECM bracket), run a lead from the cold (relay) side of the 5 amp socket to ground. Let it sit for 15 minutes or longer if practical, then put the fuse back in and warm it back up, turn it back down to 1000.
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2nd way of adjusting MM
Adjust the hot idle to 950/1050 rpm.
1. Unplug the temp sensor. Your bike now thinks it's cold!
2. Set the "cold idle" to 1500rpm
3. Shut the bike off.
4. Remove the 5 and 15 amp fuses from the fuse block which is on the side you took the cover off of.
5. Plug the cold sensor connector back in.
6. Replace the air cleaner assembly.
7. Wait at least 30 minutes, then replace the 2 fuses
When you restart your bike, the ECM should remember the new idle settings you did .

I have a 01 Touring Service manual if you're interested.