| Author | Message | ||
     Ezblast |
Bad Module!  | ||
| Tnthumper |
Mine has been doing it when both cool and hot. And has been very aggrivating the you know what out of me. Sounds like mine could be a vibration issue. Especially since it was raining pretty hard on my way home and was doing it to me. On the heat issue is there an aftermarket timing cover that is vented to get some air in there? or has anyone tried cutting slots in the stock plastic cover to allow air to flow over it while moving? | ||
| Tnthumper |
Thanks EZ that is what I'm thinking. I plan on being at the door of my service dept when they open the doors in the morning. john P.S. this will make 2 modules in 11 months and under 6000 miles. Actually just went over 6000 on way home from work. | ||
| Swampy |
I am thinking that maybe, and I have no proof of this, but it used to be real bad on CDI boxes, was to generate a spark without a sparkplug attached to the coil wire. Maybe if it gets cranked over with the wire off the plug, the voltage may back feed through the module and fry it? I don't know just a guess, | ||
| Tnthumper |
I don't know.I'm still new to motorcycles. but until I replaced plug for the heck of it when I installed pro-series intake/exhaust and rejetted carb plug wire has never been off unless dealer did it when first module went out. john | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Heat will break down a bad module. Normally on ignition electrics, heat & moisture are the things that will make a problem show up. If they are in good working order, neither should pose a problem. Maybe they dropped your module?! | ||
| Tnthumper |
Gearhead, Don't know but it went about 3500 miles after original module went out at about 2000 miles. It's raining here today but I'm still gonna be at dealer in about 45 min to try and get it fixed so I can have it for weekend. John | ||
| Jprovo |
I'm wondering if the module is rubbing on the timing cup, of it there i a bad ground, (I think that is the Black, wire in connector hole #6.) Perhaps the connector was not pinned together properly. James | ||
| Tnthumper |
Don't know but I just took it to dealer and it would'nt do it like it did last night. But it was nowhere near as hot as it was last night. Said they would run it on dyno and I told them to try heating module with heat gun to warm it up. I'm about ready to scream!!  | ||
| Tnthumper |
OK. here's a question. it's obvious that the stock ignition cover is far from watertight and with the wiring harness running thru hole moisture will get into this area. Which Metal screw attach(chrome or aluminum) fit's the Blast? And With vertical slots cut thru cover to allow heat to escape and some air movement while moving how much would this help with the heat if at all? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Any 2 hole points cover for a Big twin or Sportster 1971-1999 will fit (I usually get a gasket for a rain proof fit). The stock cover while not watertight keeps out the rain (which is why the manual says not to use the cover with the hole drilled in it).The hole in the bottom of the cam cover allows oil & water to drain out (if it gets any in). The vertical slots and even fins for a heat sink would dissipate heat. Moisture is as big an enemy as heat is and inevitably during summer the heat will build up enough to shut the module down (if its bad). I think cooling it will only delay the problem for a bad module. Did you get the bike back from the dealer unfixed again? Unfortunately if you cant get any satisfaction from the dealer, I would replace it yourself with the Screaming Eagle module as I'm sure your not willing to trust a stock module again. I'm sorry I cant think of any ways to fix a bad module (Message edited by gearheaderiko on September 16, 2005) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
According to my "light research" any aftermarket electronic ignition that fits a 1971-2003 Sportster should work in a Blast engine.They will run about $40 for a points conversion kit to $200+ for the ignition module. The Screaming Eagle module fits both the Sportster & Blast which leads me to believe there shouldnt be much if any modification needed. Dyna,Accel, Compufire & Crane (cams) are some of the bigger suppliers, however if you contact them they may or may not know if it will fit/work in a Blast. Most of the time its just that they havent tried so dont know. I feel your pain. Bad coils & ignition modules are the most frustrating problems. They will mimick a variety of other problems and will never go bad when you want them to. | ||
| Tnthumper |
Gearhead, No word today,Am going to call them tomorrow. Even if they want me to get it back will be around noon tomorrow since I have drill this weekend. If they replace it again with a stock module and it goes out before warranty is out I'm gonna try to go thru Buell to get them to replace with Screaming Eagle module. I was just thinking of a slotted cover to help prevent heat buildup from frying a module. How reliable is the Screaming Eagle module? Has anyone converted to points? Points will leave you with a single fixed advance setting while module switches between 2 settings if I'm right. | ||
| Tnthumper |
Gearhead, What about a vented cover for hot weather and put stock on for bad weather to keep water out? And either way I want my bike back bu Sun. afternoon cause we're supposed to have great weather and I have'nt hit the dragon in way too long. John | ||
| Tnthumper |
Gearhead or EZ, Would you guys take a look at the screaming eagle ignition module for the sportster which looks like it mounts remotely with a seperate ignition sensor and let me know if you think this ignition would work on the Blast? If it will I'm gonna have to start saving my pennies and dimes. The dealer had'nt gotten to it today at lunch but if it is another ignition module I'm gonna have to do something. And I think if I can get the electronic circuitry out of the cone I'd be doing better. Or if you know of a similar system I'd like to know so I could look at it also. John | ||
| Jprovo |
I wasn't asked, but. You will have to convert from the TPS to a VOES to use another ignition system. The HD ignitions rely on a vacuum operated switch instead of a TPS to tell the ignition when to change the timing curve. You'll have to get a TPS, the ignition, the sensor, and a vacuum line from the intake manifold to the carb. James | ||
| Ezblast |
All cv carbs on Blasts come equipped with that vacuum line - so no biggie really - GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Tnthumper |
James,Ez, Thanks guys. I'm just exploring options to get module away from where it is from the factory. ANYONE'S input is welcome and appreciated. Might just be a project we could work on together here to help everyone out. From what I could see the module and ignition sensor would only be about $200 or so and with the pro-series intake I have lots of room to mount it away from major heat sources. John | ||
| Tnthumper |
OK,I found an ignition sensor assembly from drag specialties for $33.95 and I can get a Sceaming eagle ignition module for the sportster from Harley for $119.95. The module is the street legal module and says it has a 7000 rpm rev limiter. That is what 200 over stock for Blast? If anyone can look at these components and let me know if they would work I'd appreciate it. John | ||
| Jprovo |
You are also going to have to get the VOES (like $60), and figure out electrical connectors for the HD ignition unit. James | ||
| Tnthumper |
James, Thanks. I'm just trying to get prepared in case I have to do this on my own. If the dealer does end up finding out it's another module I'm gonna contact Buell and see if they will convert it for me first. John | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Tnt-Got your bike back yet? You could run without the cover and carry the plastic one under the seat in case the weather turns foul (you can use the old cover with the removal hole and tape or silicone over it). The simplest conversion is back to points and that set up has a weighted spark advance unit (like an old car). You wont need the tps (or VOES)either. They also make electronic ignition units that are triggered by the old points but dont rely on a specific gap to build coil voltage. I dont know about the other parts fitting that you questioned without a part number and retailer. All in all, the further you deviate from stock, the greater the likelihood of problems.You may also void your entire warranty and may have difficulty finding anyone to work on your bike. That means you're on your own, not necessarily a bad thing, but you'd better know the system your using. FYI: the Sportster ignition systems fire both cylinders simultaniuosly. The other cylinder gets an extra spark it doesnt use (wasted spark system) at a part of the combustion cycle where it doesnt affect anything.Therefore (in theory at least) if you install a Sportster ignition it shouldnt matter whether it has 2 cylinders or one. The big difference is the Blast timing cup has 1 trigger, the Sportster 2. The Sportster advance unit will also have 2 cams instead of one.But (in theory) it shouldnt matter. As a few of us here have found out, when you try something new and untested, you're the Guinea Pig and will be the first to sort out the problems. | ||
| Tnthumper |
Gearhead, NO I have'nt. they finally got it to act up on them. said they tried a new module after that and said it did'nt correct the problem. I think I got some bad gas before I took it to them cause they siad it would lose power and would idle fine but if you tried to get on throttle it would bog. Told me they were going to try a new boot but did'nt have any and had to order one. I hope they are not confusing probs. John | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
That is good news. So at least they know there is a problem and its not costing you anything but time (and aggravation). There was also the gas tank roll over valve recall. There is also the possibility of a clogged/crimped tank vent line. At least they are looking. | ||
| Tnthumper |
At least they now know I'm not totally insane. Slightly crazy yes, but not insane. | ||
| Jprovo |
It' probably wasn't the ignition modul to begin with. I'm sorry to say that this could be a tough one to find. It could be something as simple as a bad coil or tipover switch. Hope they find it soon! James | ||
| Ezblast |
Erik may be on to something. GT - JBOTDS! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on September 20, 2005) | ||
| Tnthumper |
I've checked the vent line and even tried manually venting. still did it. and it would do it under most conditions but was worst at steady cruising speed on highway and when bike was hot. I'll be going by dealer again this morning to see how it's going. John | ||
| Swampy |
Using the Sportster pickup and the sportster ignition module, you wouldn't use the TPS, or the auto enrichening on the carb, right? It would just be cold blooded without a choke system. | ||
| Tnthumper |
Swampy, That was my only concern. That is why I would really like to see a modified or new ignition for the blast that gets module out of timing cone. If you run an aftermarket intake you have LOTS of room to mount it up with no heat related issues since you should be able to get it well away from engine. John |
