I have a 2001 RK and last week I had a hard time starting the bike but it finally took off. Went on a couple of rides since and no problems. Today went to ride and no go , hooked a spark plug up to the spark wire and turned it over but could not see any spark. Checked the plug to the ing mod and it looked good, checked the ing fuse, good also. Wondering if you folks think it could be the coil being that it is carbureted? Or could it be the ECM any help will be appreciated.

 

It could be the wires are bad, the coil is bad, or something going on with the ECM. Did you try both wires? Do you have an extra one you can swap and see if that changes things?

 

STEVEVFD,I tried both plugs no spark. I think this problem started last week when I had a real hard time starting. Can I check the coils and ECM without replacing them?

 

Check to see if it's throwing any codes. You can search for the procedure for doing that. It'll come up in the odometer screen.

 

If you have a shop manual, that would be a great start to checking coils etc....

I had a 02 Fatboy with the same symtoms, and it ended up being the "bank angle sensor" for me... once again the manual is worth its weight in gold.

 

If you are getting no spark at the plug when the plug is grounded to the frame, then the coil is the culprit.

 

I do have a manual went there first, checked what they recommended.

 

Ok this just got stranger. I was out with my son who is a really good wrench, and we were checking the spark. No spark at first, then while turning it over with a spark plug in the wire grounded to the top of the plug in the motor it got spark and tried to start. We hooked up the plug wire on the bike and it started right up. Now I'm more confused! I may have played with the on off switch but not sure. Going to check the wires in it. I cannot find where to pull up codes in the service manual, if someone knows please let me know.

Thanks Rick

 

I think it shows how to pull up the codes in the FI section, seems dumb since it prtains to carb bikes also. I'd guess it's either the switch or a sensor, usually coils aren't intermittent.

 

That's what I think to glide. I'll look in the FI section. Thanks