| Author | Message | ||
     Dasbuell |
Short version... 2001 blast bought used with 1300 miles for fiancee. She dropped it twice and was afraid of traffic. So, bike is parked. It now has 1800 miles and I try to ride it every month or so. I put stable in the gas the end of each season. Year before last, in spring it would not start. I put in new spark plug and it runs. I notice when on hwy under load it has a miss. After pulling off hwy and back in stop and go traffic, the miss soon goes away. Last season same thing, but only gets ridden maybe 4 times. (rough year, not much bike time) It misses when on hwy under load, or at least that is when it starts, after being at hwy speed for at least 10 to 15 miles. Rolled it out last month, would not start. Today it starts, but when I opened throttle it sputs and wants to die. Pull off air filter cover, I crank the throttle a few times...it sputs, back fires twice... and then runs smooth as can be. I go on a 20-25 mile ride. After 15 miles on the hwy and under load going up hill against the wind, it starts missing badly. I get back on regular streets after 3 miles of this sputting and missing badly, and after about 1 mile miss goes away and no more issues. OK... someone give me some hints. The gas is OK. I have not yet checked to see if it is the correct spark plug, but I am sure I would have checked to be sure it was the same as the one taken out. I have not yet checked my service manual to see if there is an in line gas filter. Oh help me Obwan!!! | ||
| Ezblast |
Ignition is the bet, however, replace the plug wire first and check the coil. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Dasbuell |
I have been doing some reading. I was expecting to hear the problem might be a cracker "carb boot" which I assume is the manifold carburetor coupler. I was going to put the Blast on the lift tomorrow and inspect that part. | ||
| Ezblast |
Worth a check, but not the usual simptoms. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Ignition module. Clogged/pinched gas tank vent line. Concur with EZ! | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Just an academic inquiry....were there any years that were particularly prone for ignition module failures? | ||
| Jprovo |
Check the intake boot out, clean the carb, but it sounds like an ignition module... James | ||
| Swampy |
Ignition Module! It may be covered under emissions warranty. It's worth checking out. | ||
| Blake |
Fuel tank breather vent, be sure it is not pinched or clogged or restricted in any way. If the Blast has a kickstand safety switch, that would warrant eliminating as the source of the problem. Check all main battery and ignition wiring. A cable can crack inside but look okay outside. Just throwing out some possibilities. Good luck and let us know what you find. | ||
| Blake |
Even the ignition switch can get finicky. My Dad's S3 is like that. The key must be turned all the way firmly to the stops or it will eventually start to cut out and die and back fire horribly. It's a good theft deterrent. LOL. | ||
| Blake |
First thing I'd change though would probably be the spark plug. A fouled spark plug will cause the symtoms you describe. Ed, How'm I doin'?  | ||
| Ezblast |
Eliminating posibilities - always easiest/cheapest to the less so - lol - good! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Jprovo |
I agree with EZ, you're doing fine Blake Dasbuell, Seriously, checkk ALL the easy stuff first: Plug (and the little threaded terminal on the end of the plug), Plug Wire, Fuse Block For Corrosion, Battery Connections, Engine Ground, Wiring Harness for damage (especially aroung the rear of the airbox) Safety interlock switches, Fuel tank screen, Timing, Loose Timing Cup, Coil... Then replace the ~$250 ignition module... James | ||
| Swampy |
The Ignition Module is only $125....unless you are talking about a SE or something. But yes, cheap/easy things first! (Message edited by swampy on April 07, 2006) | ||
| Flrider7 |
Not to change the subject, but I'm trying to change out my shifter but the splined collar that the lever itself bolts to will not come off. The service manual says "remove assembly",the lever came off fine but the collar only moves back & forth a couple of mms. I hope someone can help. | ||
| Flrider7 |
I'll read it later,I've got to go. | ||
| Ezblast |
loosen screw, and gently pry just a smallest bit to loosen, then slide off. Careful of case finish. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Jprovo |
Swampy- glad to hear that the stocker is "only" $125, I was thinking the Pro-Series that is $260... Acutally, $125 is fairly cheap, just not what I want to spend. | ||
| Xgecko |
not to say that you MUST have the pro-series but if you have even the slightest thoughts of doing any engine work in the future get the pro-series it's worth it in the long run not to buy the same thing twice | ||
| 17blast |
The Screaming Eagle ignition module is no longer available from H.D. They are now obsolete and only available from dealer inventory. If you’re local dealer doesn’t have one they can do a search on H.D.-net and to see if any dealers near you still have it in stock. Most dealerships will sell parts to each other for no additional cost to you. This will keep you from having to make a trip or pay shipping. | ||
| Flrider7 |
Thanks EZ but getting the screwed on lever off in no prob,the splined collar that wraps around the shift/shaft under the factory lever is what I can't remove unfortunately. Maybe I should wait for it to cool down.I saw one of the screaming eagle ignition hanging on the wall at one of my local dealers,pricey but still cheaper than most japanese bike parts! | ||
| Dasbuell |
UPDATE... SECOND THOUGHTS WANTED! I had the Blast out today. I did about 45 miles all city riding, never over 45mph, no heavy pulling on the motor. After about 30 miles of putting around town I'd get an occasional little single barely noticeable miss. I rode about another 10 miles and it happened a few more times, and was more noticeable. All this happened about the time I switched to reserve. I filled up with gas and rode about 6 more miles and when accelerating up a hill to get to 45mph... it sputtered and missed about four times. The "carb boot" the manifold carburetor coupler looks like new. It did all the last bit of sputtering on new gas. There is always the common thing of it only begins to miss or sputter after I have gone about 30 miles. And... more prone to miss or will be more frequent at hwy speed under a load. Is the general idea still ignition module? If so... will it be like this or will it continue to get worse or suddenly fail? Thanks to all for your help!!! (Message edited by dasbuell on April 07, 2006) (Message edited by dasbuell on April 07, 2006) | ||
| Flrider7 |
Clogged fuel line? I'm surprised it's not the intake boot. Clog somewhere in the fuel system? For future ref,the I got the shift collar off with an automotive interior puller finally. Stock shifter replaced with chrome sporty shifter(stock peg mounts)after trimming the rubber washer between the shifter & oilseal.This is a good mod for those with short feet or simply do not trust the cheap oddly crafted stock lever but want the stock peg mounts(note:2 inches shorter than stock. | ||
| Ezblast |
Crane cam sells the same thing under their name - you can always contact them - Quote"You can install the Screaming Eagle Ignition nose module. It is made for Sportsters and the Buell Blast and available at any H-D dealers. Turn it up at your own risk unless you have a Stage 3 Head. The short stroke motor can run all day between 7 and 8K if you have done the valve work. The module will also let you develop custom spark curves beyond the ten they have already loaded. BTW to use custom curves you need to buy the Crane software and cable, H-D S/E does not sell one. " So if SE isn't made anymore Crane cam still has one. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
The stock lever is made so that if the biked is dropped on that side it will not automatically take out the shift shaft as would happen on a sporster - lol - enjoy! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Swampy |
Dasbuell, It still sounds like the ignition module, it was just so infuriating, checking rechecking, changing parts, and the problem would change between repeatable then intermittant, but it was Oh So worth it when I finally got it fixed. The thing about the Ignition Module is is that I think it has two ignition curves programmed into it. One for warmup and one for running, and it when it lost power it felt like something was binding up, no back fires or misses, but just like the drive belt or primary chain suddenly got real tight, then loosened up again. As the problem progressed, then the backfires, misses then stalling out, and no LED for a while. I ordered mine from Stone Mtn. HD, over on the sponser board, delivered to my door in three days for less than I would have got it from my local dealer(If I had a local dealer) Plus I didn't get any stupid looks! | ||
| Ezblast |
Ignition - sigh GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Flrider7 |
Dasbuell I just now read your prob from the begining and I have to ask, after sitting this long have you ever cleaned the carb? I mean take it off & apart etc? Vehicles realy don't do well when they are not ridden often. If you don't believe me hang around a place that services jetskis & other vehicles that sit for whole seasons at a time. | ||
| Flrider7 |
Thanks again EZ! Fortunately I've only spilled once(thanks Lord)in 20 years & that was in my infancy of riding. Now if I could figure these computers out.....Oh well,maybe in a few years. The shifter seems more responsive to me & I don't have to worry about it coming loose & falling off as I saw happen once! | ||
| Jprovo |
IMHO, It really sounds like an ignition module going bad... When they are failing, They usually work ok until they get hot, and then the bike does what you describe. Bummer. James | ||
| Dasbuell |
I Stabil the gas on anything that sets. I also start and run or try and do short rides, even though Sharon has lost interest in the bike. So it has not really been forgotten about... just not used much. The carb seems OK. No, I have not cleaned it. Today I pulled it out, hit the starter, and it fired right up and ran smoothly. After letting it warm up for a couple minutes, I rode off... and all seemed like a new ride. It was, and always seems to be, for the last two seasons of "maintenance" rides to use up gasoline to replace with fresh gas & Stabil... that after about 30 miles... the missing starts. In the last 3 seasons it has only had about 500 miles put on it. I am either going to sell it (I have a XB9s and a BMW R1100R) or start using it for short errands this summer in place of the other bikes and the Honda CR-V. Much of the errands would be less than 12 miles round trip... so the problem might not show on these short rides. | ||
| Flrider7 |
Yeah,if you are not going to use it, do it a favor & sell it to someone whos waiting to love it everyday.This is why I keep only one bike,oops! Forgot about that four wheeled thing I use to get groceries in on friday mornings! |
