Harley Davidson Forums

horizonchaser · Jun 25th, 2012, 06:41 AM

This has happened to me probably 5 times since i bought my bike used 4 years ago and it happened again yesterday after work. I get out of work, hop on the bike, turn the ignition on, hold down the button 'till the light goes off on my instrument panel, then press down the start button. 99% of the time it always starts but this time it just kept turning over and wouldn't fire.

After repeated tries, maybe 5, and with the onlookers from work making their usual anti Harley comments, I decided to give it a rest for about 5 min. Tried again and it still sputtered. So I waited about 10 minutes again and tried once ,more and she finally fired up.
My question is: Why does that happen? I mean, I start my bike all the time without any problems so why does this happen? Do I need to add maybe a fuel additive or something?
Thanks!

Hoople · Jun 25th, 2012, 08:42 AM

Is the bike EFI or carb. Since the problem only happens appox 1 time per year, or 1 time out of 300+ successful starts, you can't use conventional methods to diagnose the problem because your not getting any immediate feedback to the changes you make to the bike.

Check to see if you happened to log a DTC's. Once the engine is running, has it ever just quit or stopped for no reason. Engine starting is your only issue? No other concerns with hesitation, surging, fuel mileage, engine miss at idle etc

What's the mileage on bike. What have you done so far (plugs, wires, filters etc) in an attempt to fix this problem. Is the bike bone stock and if not, what changes (stage1, fuel enrichment, black boxes etc) have been made to it.

Bodeen · Jun 25th, 2012, 01:52 PM

If its carbed, when cold I give mine two complete twists of the throttle before hitting the start button. Fires every time like clockwork.
If its not carbed, when it does start, does it start as if it were flooded with fuel or does it start as it normally does?

cool breeze · Jun 25th, 2012, 03:13 PM

I think i'm missing something here hold down what button till the light goes off ? I've owned 2 injected harleys and dont remember holding down a button

R. Lewis · Jun 25th, 2012, 04:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cool breeze View Post

I think i'm missing something here hold down what button till the light goes off ? I've owned 2 injected harleys and dont remember holding down a button

My thoughts also. Not sure what "hold down button" here.Have had 2 EFI & 1 carbd. and ???? button.

horizonchaser · Jun 25th, 2012, 05:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hoople View Post

Is the bike EFI or carb. EFI Since the problem only happens appox 1 time per year, or 1 time out of 300+ successful starts, you can't use conventional methods to diagnose the problem because your not getting any immediate feedback to the changes you make to the bike. Agreed.

Check to see if you happened to log a DTC's. I don't know how to do that.

Once the engine is running, has it ever just quit or stopped for no reason. No Engine starting is your only issue? Yes, other wise the bike runs great! No other concerns with hesitation, surging, fuel mileage, engine miss at idle etc Nope

What's the mileage on bike. 35,000 miles What have you done so far (plugs, wires, filters etc) in an attempt to fix this problem. Plugs were just replaced last month, and it really was never a problem, just this annoying, quirky thing that happens every once in a while and befuddles me. Is the bike bone stock and if not, what changes (stage1, fuel enrichment, black boxes etc) have been made to it.

Stage one, Dobeck TFI, air breather. I guess I'll just assume it is a freak occurrence that happens on rare occasion and just live with it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bodeen View Post

If its carbed, when cold I give mine two complete twists of the throttle before hitting the start button. Fires every time like clockwork.
If its not carbed, when it does start, does it start as if it were flooded with fuel or does it start as it normally does?

It start as it normally would, although I swear sometimes it sounds like it backfires but i'm not sure.

Quote: Originally Posted by R. Lewis View Post

My thoughts also. Not sure what "hold down button" here.Have had 2 EFI & 1 carbd. and ???? button.

Sorry, didn't mean to be vague. Directly to the left of my throttle on my '03 Ultra are two buttons. The run button, which is the button that i am referring to. and the start button to the left of it. When I start my bike I hold down the run button until the light goes off on my speedometer gauge. Right there in the center is a light that goes on. Don't you have that? When that light goes off, I then press the start button and she fires up ninety nine percent of the time. I just assume that button primed it for starting. What exactly is happening when the aforementioned button is pressed?

Hoople · Jun 25th, 2012, 05:25 PM

Here is the procedure to pull codes. It is from a 2004 manual. Don't know if it will work on a 2003 but no harm in trying.

Bodeen · Jun 25th, 2012, 06:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by horizonchaser View Post

Stage one, Dobeck TFI, air breather. I guess I'll just assume it is a freak occurrence that happens on rare occasion and just live with it.

It start as it normally would, although I swear sometimes it sounds like it backfires but i'm not sure.

Sorry, didn't mean to be vague. Directly to the left of my throttle on my '03 Ultra are two buttons. The run button, which is the button that i am referring to. and the start button to the left of it. When I start my bike I hold down the run button until the light goes off on my speedometer gauge. Right there in the center is a light that goes on. Don't you have that? When that light goes off, I then press the start button and she fires up ninety nine percent of the time. I just assume that button primed it for starting. What exactly is happening when the aforementioned button is pressed?

You must be referring to the kill switch. However, it shouldn't have to be held down. It should be a standard switch on or off.....

Jack Klarich · Jun 25th, 2012, 06:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bodeen View Post

You must be referring to the kill switch. However, it shouldn't have to be held down. It should be a standard switch on or off.....

That would be the engine light icon? I always wait for that light to go out before hitting the starter

Mavagrand · Jun 25th, 2012, 06:37 PM

+1, Bo. I agree. Sounds like it is the kill switch he's talking about. I wonder if he has stressed that switch by holding it down. Over time, that stress can add up.

Jun 25th, 2012, 08:42 AM	#2
Hoople Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Dyna Low Join Date: Aug 16th, 2009 Posts: 7,001	Re: Difficulty starting Is the bike EFI or carb. Since the problem only happens appox 1 time per year, or 1 time out of 300+ successful starts, you can't use conventional methods to diagnose the problem because your not getting any immediate feedback to the changes you make to the bike. Check to see if you happened to log a DTC's. Once the engine is running, has it ever just quit or stopped for no reason. Engine starting is your only issue? No other concerns with hesitation, surging, fuel mileage, engine miss at idle etc What's the mileage on bike. What have you done so far (plugs, wires, filters etc) in an attempt to fix this problem. Is the bike bone stock and if not, what changes (stage1, fuel enrichment, black boxes etc) have been made to it. __________________ When all else fails, hit the turbo entabulator button. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLDgQg6bq7o

Jun 25th, 2012, 01:52 PM	#3
Bodeen Moderators Ride: 2003 Road King Join Date: Aug 12th, 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,696 My Mood:	Re: Difficulty starting If its carbed, when cold I give mine two complete twists of the throttle before hitting the start button. Fires every time like clockwork. If its not carbed, when it does start, does it start as if it were flooded with fuel or does it start as it normally does? __________________ Bodeen Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Jun 25th, 2012, 03:13 PM	#4
cool breeze Warming The Wheels Ride: 2008 ultra classic Join Date: Apr 14th, 2009 Posts: 148 My Mood:	Re: Difficulty starting I think i'm missing something here hold down what button till the light goes off ? I've owned 2 injected harleys and dont remember holding down a button

Jun 25th, 2012, 04:44 PM	#5
R. Lewis Retired Moderators Ride: none Join Date: Nov 3rd, 2007 Posts: 2,265 My Mood:	Re: Difficulty starting Quote: Originally Posted by cool breeze View Post I think i'm missing something here hold down what button till the light goes off ? I've owned 2 injected harleys and dont remember holding down a button My thoughts also. Not sure what "hold down button" here.Have had 2 EFI & 1 carbd. and ???? button.

Jun 25th, 2012, 05:05 PM	#6
horizonchaser Community Guru Wannabe Ride: 2003 Ultra Classic Join Date: Oct 23rd, 2008 Location: Uxbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,233 My Mood:	Re: Difficulty starting Quote: Originally Posted by Hoople View Post Is the bike EFI or carb. EFI Since the problem only happens appox 1 time per year, or 1 time out of 300+ successful starts, you can't use conventional methods to diagnose the problem because your not getting any immediate feedback to the changes you make to the bike. Agreed. Check to see if you happened to log a DTC's. I don't know how to do that. Once the engine is running, has it ever just quit or stopped for no reason. No Engine starting is your only issue? Yes, other wise the bike runs great! No other concerns with hesitation, surging, fuel mileage, engine miss at idle etc Nope What's the mileage on bike. 35,000 miles What have you done so far (plugs, wires, filters etc) in an attempt to fix this problem. Plugs were just replaced last month, and it really was never a problem, just this annoying, quirky thing that happens every once in a while and befuddles me. Is the bike bone stock and if not, what changes (stage1, fuel enrichment, black boxes etc) have been made to it. Stage one, Dobeck TFI, air breather. I guess I'll just assume it is a freak occurrence that happens on rare occasion and just live with it. Quote: Originally Posted by Bodeen View Post If its carbed, when cold I give mine two complete twists of the throttle before hitting the start button. Fires every time like clockwork. If its not carbed, when it does start, does it start as if it were flooded with fuel or does it start as it normally does? It start as it normally would, although I swear sometimes it sounds like it backfires but i'm not sure. Quote: Originally Posted by R. Lewis View Post My thoughts also. Not sure what "hold down button" here.Have had 2 EFI & 1 carbd. and ???? button. Sorry, didn't mean to be vague. Directly to the left of my throttle on my '03 Ultra are two buttons. The run button, which is the button that i am referring to. and the start button to the left of it. When I start my bike I hold down the run button until the light goes off on my speedometer gauge. Right there in the center is a light that goes on. Don't you have that? When that light goes off, I then press the start button and she fires up ninety nine percent of the time. I just assume that button primed it for starting. What exactly is happening when the aforementioned button is pressed?

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Jun 25th, 2012, 06:01 PM	#8
Bodeen Moderators Ride: 2003 Road King Join Date: Aug 12th, 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,696 My Mood:	Re: Difficulty starting Quote: Originally Posted by horizonchaser View Post Stage one, Dobeck TFI, air breather. I guess I'll just assume it is a freak occurrence that happens on rare occasion and just live with it. It start as it normally would, although I swear sometimes it sounds like it backfires but i'm not sure. Sorry, didn't mean to be vague. Directly to the left of my throttle on my '03 Ultra are two buttons. The run button, which is the button that i am referring to. and the start button to the left of it. When I start my bike I hold down the run button until the light goes off on my speedometer gauge. Right there in the center is a light that goes on. Don't you have that? When that light goes off, I then press the start button and she fires up ninety nine percent of the time. I just assume that button primed it for starting. What exactly is happening when the aforementioned button is pressed? You must be referring to the kill switch. However, it shouldn't have to be held down. It should be a standard switch on or off..... __________________ Bodeen Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Jun 25th, 2012, 06:22 PM	#9
Jack Klarich Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Streetbob Join Date: Sep 25th, 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 13,591 My Mood:	Re: Difficulty starting Quote: Originally Posted by Bodeen View Post You must be referring to the kill switch. However, it shouldn't have to be held down. It should be a standard switch on or off..... That would be the engine light icon? I always wait for that light to go out before hitting the starter __________________ CAPITAL JACK( Nuff Said, We're Burnin Daylight, Let's Ride)

Jun 25th, 2012, 06:37 PM	#10
Mavagrand Community Guru Wannabe Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Classic Join Date: Aug 19th, 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,029 My Mood:	Re: Difficulty starting +1, Bo. I agree. Sounds like it is the kill switch he's talking about. I wonder if he has stressed that switch by holding it down. Over time, that stress can add up. __________________ "There's always room for Jell-o". -Bill Cosby

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