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Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 01:51 pm: | 
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I just bought a 2009 Buell Ulysses XB12xp With only 5k miles on it and was riding it home after purchasing it. After 20 minutes on freeway and after two stop lights in 100 degree weather, it acted like it was starving for fuel, coughing and sputtering to a stop. I wrench quite a bit but new to
Buells. All that I noticed after the typical checking of fuel, switches, cap not venting, was that I noticed three red pin like switched popping out from a connector under front left of gas tank. I determined that they could be pushed in and all tree pins stayed pushed in like some sort of reset. The Buell still would not start. It was towed to closest h.d. Dealer. Stuck in sacramento waiting info and repair.  |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 02:27 pm: |
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That stinks. I hope they can fix it quickly.
Front left of the airbox cover (which looks like a tank, but isn't) or the front left of the frame (which looks like a frame but is the tank)?
If it is the airbox cover, there is an exhaust valve controller in there, but that shouldn't keep the bike from running, if it was broken it would mess up your power curve.
Hmmm, but there is also an IAT (intake air temperature sensor) in there. If that was just in the wrong place, the bike should still run. But if it was disconnected, the bike might run badly or not at all. It would crank, but perhaps not start, or foul plugs badly.
And there shouldn't be any kind of switch up there...
If you could give more detail and clarity, we might be able to help, though certainly your mechanic should be able to sort it quickly and he or she can actually look at the bike. |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 02:59 pm: |
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As a curious wrench and a high mileage daily rider, I want to be as informed as possible so this doesn't happen in Titus Canyon in death valley.
The location of the three red pinned connector was below the front left air box(fake gas tank). It is a typical electrical connector but at the end was three small red pin like ends poking out from end of connector. They are spring like and was "resettable" by pushing them in. I would like to know what those pins do. There is no microfiche website I can find on the web.
Another possible problem may be electrical, maybe crank shaft sensor.
I want to trust my new Buell but will stick with my reliable 40k mileage ducati Multistrada until this Ulysses gains my trust. :/ |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 03:58 pm: |
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Get your bike sorted on your terms before you decide what is or isn't reliable.
There are two connectors under the airbox, a exhaust valve servo connector, and an intake air temperature sensor. Both use Deutsch connectors as I recall... you can go to google images and search for "Buell IAT sensor" and "Buell Exhaust servo" connector and see if any look familiar.
Maybe the PO put something else under there, like a HID controller of something. I had to do that on an XB9, but a uly has a big enough flyscreen that nobody bothers with that. It all goes under the flyscreen. Maybe if it has a Stebel horn or something, or maybe it's a heated gear connector they cobbled in.
Did you notice if the tach was jumping *up* when the bike stuttered? That can be a bad cam position sensor.
Was it even turning over after it stopped running? If it cranks, then we can rule out the Bank Angle Sensor.
Under the airbox plate, there is also a throttle position sensor, O2 sensors, and head temp sensors. If those came off, that could definitely make the motor not run. And if you didn't take off the 4 screws that hold on the airbox cover, it would be very hard to tell if the wire is coming out of the airbox or from under the bottom airbox plate.
Any news from the dealer? Did you check the BRAN list for other sacremento buellers? They might be able to render some assistance, at least places to eat and local dealer recommendations (or warnings). |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 04:23 pm: |
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I did not notice the tach jumping. Was trying to get off road safely as a "glider".....
It still cranked and early on tried to start and progressively just cranked.
I did not remove the airbox as I had limited tools and just wanted to ge the bike and me to safety.
I am still waiting on the dealer for info. I will post the prognossis ASAP.
Thanks for your help and responses.
Oldmw1 |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 04:53 pm: |
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Could be cam position sensor. But could just be a chafed / broken wire, or a cracked ECM. Or a shorted / broken fuel pump wire. |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 06:08 pm: |
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For those that adventure ride in far out of the way places, what would be prudent to carry as spares in case of failure with the Buell Ulysses?
Drive belt?
Various sensors?
Any input would be appreciated?
Still waiting on dealer fix.... |
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 06:16 pm: |
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Your bike does not have a crank position sensor, but it gets its timing off the cam position sensor, which the connector is located under the front pulley cover, and it is a 3 pin, but that can't be what you saw. I think you are seeing either the TPS connector, or the connector for the ignition coil
quote:Was it even turning over after it stopped running? If it cranks, then we can rule out the Bank Angle Sensor
The bike will still crank fine after the BAS was triggered, at least on the 07 and older bikes, the ECM just wont allow the motor to fire. I'll have to see if the 08+ bikes are the same.
As for spare parts to keep handy, I pretty much only recommend the drive belt, as that can be a pain to source in an emergency. It is also a good idea to keep a set of levers, shifters, pegs, etc, as they are designed to break off in a spill preventing major damage to more expensive things. Anything else can be obtained without much effort from various online retailers (American Sport Bike), and in general you will know you need to replace something before its too late.
(Message edited by froggy on August 08, 2012) |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 08:44 pm: |
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Dealer said fuel pump failed.....at only 5.5k miles.
Stuff happens.
(Message edited by Oldbmw1 on August 08, 2012) |
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 08:54 pm: |
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There was a bad batch of fuel pumps on some of the 09's, they would blow the fuse when you are low on gas during hot days. That is probably what happened. Only fix is to replace the pump. |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 09:16 pm: |
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I pick up the bike tomorrow.
I am still curious as to what those red pins are at the end of an electrical connector under left side of airbox. Will post a pic soon. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 09:45 pm: |
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I pack spare latches for the Hepco's, spare rear wheel bearings, spare axle spacers (rear) and lots of other glues / patches / tools. The tractor operators tubes make great tool caddys. And if you can find the original (big) Buell aftermarket tool kit, they are quite nice (some dealers were blowing them out cheap).
Truth be told, for long trips, I pack an oscilliscope too, but I'm funny like that.  |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 10:42 am: |
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Any time I hear of "I just bought this bike and" symptoms/failures I tend to think it could be something as simple as battery connections.
Sometimes the previous owner had the battery out for charge or just put in a new one and forgot to tighten the connectors down. |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 03:14 pm: |
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Turns out
Dealer only replaced a blown fuel pump fuse and will not admit to a fuel pump problem. This happened with the previous owner. So I am tired of being stuck in Sacramento and am picking the bike up and riding it home carrying extra fuses and will install a new fuel pump later at home.
Is there a better aftermarket fuel pump upgrade? Is there a YouTube link or written link of instructions showing how to install a fuel pump?
I prefer to wrench it myself.
Thanks. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 03:38 pm: |
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It won't blow the fuse if you fill up more frequently, so do that till you get home.
I am not aware of any aftermarket fuel pumps being better, the OEM one is fine, they just had a batch of them that were defective. On some older bikes that needed a pump replaced, the owners use a Walbro 521 fuel pump available at your local car parts store, but I don't know anyone that has tried it on a 2008 or newer.
Here is a writeup on changing the fuel pump:
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442427.html?1236781570
His issue was with the wiring, which was common on 06's, that isn't the issue with yours but the steps are the same to remove and replace. |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Saturday, August 11, 2012 - 08:19 pm: |
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I called my local dealer and was hoping for a new fuel pump covered under my 7 year extended warranty or under the 18k emissions warranty but no dice. A failure has to happen or be diagnosed at their shop to be covered under warranty. Intermittent fuse blowing of fuel pump can't be duplicated in the "lab".
I mentioned documentation of my Ulysses and other info on the web but no love shown my way.
Great Harley service. |
Ronbob43
| | Posted on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 09:50 am: |
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I hounded Destination HD with my 09 XB9XS fuel pump problem every time the fuse blew. HD knew they had a problem with the part and Destination hounded them every time my fuse blew. I approached it as a safety issue and HD finally approved the installation of a new pump. 2 years without the problem now. |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 09:08 pm: |
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Will call customer service. Local dealer no help. |
Scooter1001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 - 12:03 pm: |
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Before replacing your fuel pump, pull the pump and check it for an insulating/protective sleeve around the wiring. That was the problem with the pumps in '09- they shorted out. If the sleeve is installed there's no need to replace the pump. However, it WILL still blow the fuse if you get too low on fuel or if you're somewhat low on fuel and brake hard enough to slosh the fuel away from the pick-up. |
Oldbmw1
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 - 12:16 pm: |
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So, why has Harley not recalled and fixed this common problem? I called my local dealer and they would not fix it under my extended warranty. Not a problem I want happening off road on a technical trail when I'm low on fuel. |
Akbuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 - 05:03 pm: |
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Oldbmw1- Don't really know what to say about the warranty thing. Maybe your friendly local state office of consumer affairs, or some such, can help. Maybe the federal folks who issue recall notices? Definitely can be considered a safety issue; might get H_D off the dime ....
And IIRC, a warranty is a contract. An extended warranty may be a contract w/a company other than the manufacturer though. Maybe check with the state atty general?
About the plug: I believe the question has come up before. Checked my '08TT, and there is a similar plug on mine. Looking at the elec schematic for '08 Ulys and Lightnings, there is a Japan Only Exhaust Valve Actuator Sub Harness that may be it. The schematic shows a white wire, orange middle wire, and tan/violet wire to the connector. If yours has those colors, that's probably the one you are looking at.
(Message edited by Akbuell on September 25, 2012) |
Rays
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 04:40 am: |
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Oldbmw1 - I have exactly the same problem. I have an '09XT and it has now blown the fuel pump fuse 3 times. Twice I was at about 1/4 tank and once about 1/2 - all three were on hot days and in traffic. The bad thing is that all three times I came close to being hit by other cars not expecting me to suddenly stall / slow down.
The pump current draw is slightly below the spec and fuel pressure is correct so absolutely no dice with warranty.
I finally gave in and pulled the pump myself to double check there were no wiring issues etc. The '09 pump is a Walbro but a number that seems to be Buell specific (F10000276)b and it has a different pre-filter.
To my surprise I found the pump connections the same as the earlier pump so I fitted an AC Delco EP274 with a pre-filter out of my '06 spares box. This draws a little more current than the Walbro so obviously isn't exactly the same so given you are in the US and can source Walbro 521's I would fit that in a heartbeat.
My old '06 has over 60,000miles on the original Walbro 521 so there is nothing wrong with them - I would personally stay clear of the cheapo look-alikes that are all over eBay.
I posted this the other day - it might be of interest.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/694050.html?1348303934
Removing the pump is very straight forward but having done it several times now I would recommend something that can suspend the rear.
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