G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Electrical - Battery, Charg Sys, Lights, Switches, Sensors & Guages » Electrical Archives » Archive through June 12, 2007 » Check engine light came on. « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ghalsey
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 06:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I came home today and wanted to go for a ride. I took off and within a 1/4 mile the check engine light came on.
I pulled over to stop and it went off.
I rode another 1/4 mile and it came back on; stopped and it went off.
SO I rode back home parked it and whipped out my service manual.

Let me start by saying that last time I rode it, it rode fine. Since then I have done two things: adjusted the suspension AND increased the idle by 250 (two hundred-fifty) rpms.

So I read a bit more about diagnostics and decided to do another test drive down the road.
This time the light cam on when I was riding and then as I pulled over to stop the light flashed rapidly for a second or two, then the bike shut off/as the speedo/tach needles flipped around the dial and pinned themselves. They reset when I tried to start the bike.
I coasted down the hill to my driveway and coasted inside my barn.

So... anyone want to enlighten me? What the hell is going on?

- important things to remember:
- The bike has 300 miles on it
- Race ECM/Filter/Exhaust installed.
- The only "engine" type thing done since my last successful ride was the idle adjustment? Could that have been it?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ghalsey
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 06:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Its a 2006 XB12Ss btw.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ironhead1977
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 07:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Call the dealer, it may still be under warranty. All the aftermarket stuff may put that in question though. That is the chance you take when you modify the bike from factory setup.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gentleman_jon
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 07:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Very mysterious indeed.

Anyone want to give it a shot?

I'll open with a few wild guesses.

It isn't likely the usual culprits: the things you fooled with last.

Very often, loose battery cables will cause all kinds of odd symptoms. The fix is to make sure the battery terminal screws are not too long, then screw them in tightly, with a bit of medium strength thread blocker, ( Loctite Blue).

If that fails to do the trick, take out the Service Manual again, go to trouble codes. By jumping two pins on the diagnostic plug, you can activate trouble codes that will help you pinpoint the problem.

If all else fails, you could call your dealer, have him pick it up and fix it under warranty - if you like living dangerously.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Etennuly
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 07:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Was your TPS reset after installing the kit? They can get all stupid after riding for a while if it wasn't done.

I agree with G-John on the batt cable bolts doing such things.

I never had any problems with getting warranty stuff done after I put the Buell race kit on my City-X. However the TPS reset was at the time part of the installation and I had to pay for it. When it went out of spec 5000 miles later they reset it under warranty.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mdm
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 07:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

pull the codes
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 11:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When the race ecm was put in, the wiring bundle got routed over the sharp edge of one of the battery terminals. When you sit on the right spot on the seat, you are randomly shorting out some wire.

Carefully inspect the ecm wire bundle for microscopic nicks, cover them with electrical tape to reseal them, put some cable armor around those bundles, and route them away from the sharp edges of the battery terminals.

Or maybe not : )
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Al_lighton
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Check all the ground connections. I've seen that happen with a loose ground screw.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sparky
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 12:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If the fuel is topped up too high in the filler, that can cause the CEL to come on briefly and sometimes cause the bike to stumble upon leaving the gas station. But the condition is temporary and eventually clears up and runs fine after a couple blocks. Happened several times to my XB9R.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Blake
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 01:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sounds like it could be the old muffler valve actuator issue. Have it checked or check it yourself. I believe that when you first turn on the bike (ignition to "on"), the actuator is supposed to cycle. If it fails to do so, you may have identified the issue.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ghalsey
Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 11:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Reepicheep,
Its funny you mention the seat thing because when I went to start the bike the third time it wouldn't start until I shifted my wait in the seat. Its like something wasn't connected. Of course when it started it freaked out too...
Anyway, thanks for all your advice guys. I had the shop come and pick it up today and haul it back to the shop. The tech that works on it rides a Firebolt and seems like he knows what he is doing so lets hope he gets it fixed soon.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Punkid8888
Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 - 06:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I second Reepicheep, my 06 9SX did almost identical thing at 1500 miles. and depending on how I sat on the seat the light would either be On, Flashing, or off. I checked the wireing going around the battery and saw nothing. It was not till the sun shinned just right that I saw a tiny little reflection from a rub mark that made it to the copper core. all I did was put a peice of foam in between that and the battery terminal, and it has been good ever since. (4800 miles) although I should probably get some tape over that just to seal it back up.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration