| Author | Message | ||
     Vecchio_lupo |
I know this belongs in "Knowledge Vault" but I didn't see a clear category. On a recent 2500 mile round trip, last day, bike running great, while low on fuel and pointing on a downward grade (Parked on a ferry in Ireland) went to start and the pump had to scavenge a little and it took longer than the normal 1.5 seconds to start. It did start but stumbled a little, then the Fault Light came on and the engine sputtered and suddenly smoothed out and ran fine but with the light on. The experts with me figured the Lambda sensor was wonky and I was OK to limp home. Bike would start with no error light but run bad, 15 seconds later the light would come on and it would run fine. Zipping across France at 90mph in a strong headwind, I ran out out of gas. After filling up, I was limited to 3200 RPM, anything over that would sputter and pop. 3200 rpm = 70 mph, I limped along a steady 70 mph for 200 or so miles. After a fuel stop I was limited to 60 mph of smooth running for another 100 miles. (My fuel consumption dropped from 8 liters per 100 miles to 12 liters per 100). The last 50 miles popped, sputtered, missed and jerked at any speed but I was able to maintain 55 mph all the way home. The bike will Idle, but has no power. The light is on all the time and my German H-D Buell dealer here in Germany says "99 S3? I have no idea how to plug in a computer and what is ECM spy?" I am about to start the simple checks and work my way up. Do any of you guys have experience in what I've been describing? | ||
| Dragonwing |
Sounds like it's increasingly starving for fuel. My bet would be a plugged fuel filter, or, barring that, some debris in the fuel line that worked itself loose when you parked it on a grade. Running out of fuel is also a sure way to drag any goop that may be in the tank into the fuel loop. Good luck. DW | ||
| Xl1200r |
I agree - start with the fuel filter and fuel lines. | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
Thank you, that is my first project this weekend, I'll report after I have gone thru the fuel system. | ||
| Buell78758 |
Hi, I would replace the TPS, they often go out suddenly, and the bike will run worse and worse. I have never had a clogged filter or fuel line problem on my Buells, but several TSP sensors have crapped out on me. The bike will cut out, back fire, and power come on/off. If you have diagnostic software you can check for error codes also. You have to re-set the TPS also after replacing. That would be my guess, its the first place I look when a older Buell starts running bad. Good luck! | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
Thanks I'll look into that also. I pulled the error codes and I got 13 and 14. 13 is Lambda sensor, but I had unplugged that during my side of the road attempt at diagnosis. therefor the code is expected. 14 is the Engine temp sensor, upon removal of the tank and closer inspection, the wire was severed, so that was most def not working. I am replacing the fuel filter just because it has been since 07 and I inspected the fuel pump screen(It's OK) and refitted the tank. If that is not a fix (It's storming in Germany right now) I'll tackle the TPS next. Thanks guys, I really am just out here flapping in the Rhineland. | ||
| Buelltours |
Joe, go to www.borgforum.de and ask your question there. Yo don't need to be a member and English works just fine. I know that there are a few Tube Frame Buellers in Stuttgart who can help you with ECM Spy and point you to a competent dealer. (What happened to CPO?) | ||
| Firemanjim |
First your running out of fuel caused the bike to see a lean condition and it added fuel to compensate,needed to be ridden in the learned fuel area for several minutes to adjust back, The temp sensor wire being cut probably caused ecm to see a cold engine and it will run rich to compensate---more fuel usage. And if you left the O2 sensor disconnected the bike was never going to be able to adjust back. TP sensor probably not part of problem. Early Buells especially did not like to run low on fuel. You really need to get ECM spy and a cable to work on your bike. | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
firemanjim, Thanks for the breakdown, I didn't think of it like that. I have ECM spy and a cable, I will fool with setting up the diagnosis today. I only unplugged the Oxygen sensor for a few minutes, it was hooked up most of the time. after repairing the temp sensor wire, the bike still runs weak and I was able to stall it at idle by placing the sole of my shoe against the exhaust with very little effort, I am wondering if I didn't do head/valve damage. All that is speculation, it will go to a real shop this week if something obvious does not pop up. I suppose the worst thing that can happen is a 1250 kit and stage I headwork. Couple that to a Baker 6 speed if I can find one under 2k and I'll have a great little sport tourer. Or just part it out and start over. I'll keep the thread posted with news. Thanks | ||
| Firemanjim |
When you hook up ECM spy look to see what your AFV is--I am guessing it will be no where near 100. Reset it and check to make sure your temp sensor is working. That may be all you need. With the early XBs and tubers we stop even trying to tune when the low fuel light comes on. | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
I have been unable to locate my cable and program, I'm sure its packed from the move to Germany. I'll find it. In the meantime, I thought about what you said of the ECM reading a COLD engine and attempting to compensate. Keep in mind I covered about 550 miles since the wire broke. I pulled the plugs and they were black, crusty, fuzzy and thick with soot (Way Thick). I guess the ECM ran so rich for so long that the entire chamber got covered in crud and choked out the spark. New plugs and some good 100 octane gas, I was able to run 90mph in 5th with normal power and only an occasional stumble like the ECM was learning that everything is OK now. Plus as the combustion chamber de-soots things should improve.I am not ready to declare victory, but things are not so dark anymore (because the error light stays off now). I am hoping that with a nice steady Autobahn run of 75-80 mph and 3800 rpm of about a half hour, the ECM will learn and the chamber will clean out some. Thanks everybody, I think everybody was right, its just time for some new sensors, I would guess they are all 11 years old with 38k miles on them. | ||
| Fahren |
Aw, c'mon - you're in Stuttgart - you can (legally) do more than 90mph!!! | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
Thanks to everyone for chiming in. It still feels like fuel starvation at 5k rpm. If I come up on it fast I can hit 6k with the power on, but if I creep up the rev range, it stumbles at 5k every time. plus a small stumble off idle every time also. Looks like I still have a trip to CPO Harley in my future, but at least it's not the end of days. |
