Intermittent miss
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
Intermittent miss
Not sure whats going on here, every so often, I have a miss, it almost sounds like it puffs out of the air filter. this happens periodically every time I ride. I changed out my spark plugs, that didn't help.
I did have an incident this weekend where it wouldn't start and backfired like a gunshot. I found it to be the quick connect on the bottom of the fuel tank. Not real sure if it is getting stuck and causing the miss, or what, but can't imagine it would stick only for for a split second.
I just came from the dealer looking to get plug wires, but they had to order them. Since I had to order them anyway, I have the SE 10mm wires in red coming.
Hoping this is the cure but I am open to suggestions on other things to check.
EDIT:
2006 EFI, Stage 1 with HD download. 55K miles
I did have an incident this weekend where it wouldn't start and backfired like a gunshot. I found it to be the quick connect on the bottom of the fuel tank. Not real sure if it is getting stuck and causing the miss, or what, but can't imagine it would stick only for for a split second.
I just came from the dealer looking to get plug wires, but they had to order them. Since I had to order them anyway, I have the SE 10mm wires in red coming.
Hoping this is the cure but I am open to suggestions on other things to check.
EDIT:
2006 EFI, Stage 1 with HD download. 55K miles
Last edited by steelerdude1; Jun 2, 2014 at 12:14 PM.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
So, of course the plug wires are on back order. I went to go pick them up this morning, so I could see if this is my issue, and low and behold, my other stuff came in, no wire. I asked if they had any OEM wires in stock, and they did not.
The coughing, puffing, missing seems to be getting worse, more frequent. I checked for codes, and none are showing.
As stated above, can an exhaust gasket be my issue? That may be my next try if the wires don't do the trick. Also, my research shows that a crank sensor may be the culprit. Seeing that I am not showing any codes, would this be worth a try? Or am I wasting $?
The coughing, puffing, missing seems to be getting worse, more frequent. I checked for codes, and none are showing.
As stated above, can an exhaust gasket be my issue? That may be my next try if the wires don't do the trick. Also, my research shows that a crank sensor may be the culprit. Seeing that I am not showing any codes, would this be worth a try? Or am I wasting $?
Last edited by steelerdude1; Jun 25, 2014 at 04:49 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 13
From: Fort Worth
I don't think an exhaust leak would cause your troubles nor an intake leak. You could check for both. Use a flame or smoke for the exhaust and use a propane torch with it unlit to check for an intake leak.
I would think if the crank sensor was causing troubles, it would throw a code.
I would think if the crank sensor was causing troubles, it would throw a code.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,875
Likes: 32,915
From: King George, VA
I had the same problem on 06RG. Problem got worse till the rear cylinder quit all together. No codes. Dry plugs. Turned out to be broken injector signal wire. The insulation was intact but wires inside had broke near the throttle body from engine vibration. Just close enough to show good with Volt Ohm Meter but vibration broke the connection.
Last edited by EasternSP; Jun 7, 2014 at 06:45 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 151
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my problem is similar.... whats happening to my 04 ultra is it idles fine, runs fine as long as I'm in the throttle, but when just cruising, and holding the throttle steady, just to maintain speed, it gets herky-jerky. Feels like it's lunging.... it started about a month ago, and has got worse sense. Used to be when cold, it would lunge at steady throttle in second and third gear.... now it's happening in 4th and fifth. Once I crack open the throttle some, it does ok. I checked the coil, good. replaced wires, replaced plugs, and replaced fuel filter (ouch $90) Ride it... same thing! I'm at a loss for where to even go with this. Could it be the broken injector wire thing? Any input....I'm all ears. thanks
Also... I have heard from so many people that my problem is I'm too lean. Yes I am a little on the lean side, K&N filter, V&H slip ons, rest is bone stock. Been this way for 45k miles now, and never had a problem like this. I'm no expert, but I would have thought if it was too lean it would have reared it's ugly self long before now. Been told I need a tuner.... Sure a tuner would rid my somewhat lean condition, but I'm not sure it fixes the problem I have now. Spark plugs aren't showing that bad.... kinda whiteish/tan , and dry. I'm betting most all stock bikes run lean right out of the door, it's how they meet EPA standards.... just saying.
Also... I have heard from so many people that my problem is I'm too lean. Yes I am a little on the lean side, K&N filter, V&H slip ons, rest is bone stock. Been this way for 45k miles now, and never had a problem like this. I'm no expert, but I would have thought if it was too lean it would have reared it's ugly self long before now. Been told I need a tuner.... Sure a tuner would rid my somewhat lean condition, but I'm not sure it fixes the problem I have now. Spark plugs aren't showing that bad.... kinda whiteish/tan , and dry. I'm betting most all stock bikes run lean right out of the door, it's how they meet EPA standards.... just saying.
Last edited by whatzleft; Jun 7, 2014 at 09:08 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Johnstown, PA
Update:
Plug wires finally came in, and it did not cure my issue. How do I go about checking the injector wires? I looked at them when I had my tank off to change my plugs, and they looked fine, but that's not saying much if the wire breaks inside the insulation. How can I tell if that is what's going on here?
Plug wires finally came in, and it did not cure my issue. How do I go about checking the injector wires? I looked at them when I had my tank off to change my plugs, and they looked fine, but that's not saying much if the wire breaks inside the insulation. How can I tell if that is what's going on here?
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
The first thing I would check is the TPS (throttle position sensor). This thing goes out on my '07 every two years and I know it when I have sporadic bouts of erratic idle and/or misfiring at part throttle only, usually only at highway speeds. I have a Power Vision and can check TPS voltage on the display unit. When the TPS gets bad idle voltage vacillates wildly when it should be at a steady 0.5V. Check your trouble codes for any that point to the TPS, but in my case these don't show up until the bike will hardly run. The first bout with a bad TPS took me 18 months to diagnose, starting out with a sporadic miss (usually a series over a mile or two that might not recur for a month or more), along with weird idling also sporadically, then getting worse as time progresses.
Another source for problems of this sort is either the FPR (fuel pressure regulator) or a break in one of the flexible hoses in the tank causing a loss of fuel pressure. Note that '08 and later bikes don't have a TPS.
Another source for problems of this sort is either the FPR (fuel pressure regulator) or a break in one of the flexible hoses in the tank causing a loss of fuel pressure. Note that '08 and later bikes don't have a TPS.
Last edited by iclick; Jun 25, 2014 at 10:28 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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On my wife's 2003 the rod that goes through the butterfly actually cracked. The bike would run and act strange. When she twisted the throttle enough contact was there to make it open and close but it progressively got worse. You may want to check that to see if yours is OK.