| Author | Message | ||
     Kinger |
Bike: 2000 S3T, 11,500 miles Problem: Bike sputters (seems fuel related) under constant power after the bike warms up. Will sometimes cut-off and backfire, other times will just act like it is starved for fuel. Set-up: Buell Race Air cleaner, Race ECM, V&H slip on, Jazz catch can (tubing routed up over top of engine, okay?). Things checked/ modified: By-passed side stand switch, checked tank vent line and vent valve. Found exposed wire leading to ignition coil (yellow), spliced and taped. Found crimped wire leading to shut-off switch, spliced and taped. History: First experienced the problem in July of 2003. At that time it was seemed spark related and acted up more in the rain. Dealer couldn't find anything wrong with bike. During HD 100th, got caught in rain and experienced the bike cutting out. Found ignition coil wire and wire to shut-off switch at that time. Problem resurfaced 3 weeks ago while on a trip in Michigan. Left the bike at a relatives and went back for it 2 weeks ago. Any thoughts? I am hoping to participate in a bunch of the Bringing It Home event this weekend and need to get this sorted out. Thanks for your help. | ||
| 1320 |
Just guesses here...check to see if you have any corrosion in your coil towers where the plug wires go in. Also, with the bike idling, spray some WD40 or a little brake clean around your intake manifold connections..if the bike idles UP you have an intake leak. | ||
| Roc |
A local Buller had a problem with similar symptoms on either a '99 or '00 S3T. It turned out to be the temperature sensor on the rear head. It has input on the ignition. | ||
| Kinger |
Thanks for the tips. I checked for corrosion and didn't see any. Also let the bike idle and sprayed WD40 around the intake and nothing seemed to change. I will call around in the morning and see if anyone has a temp sensor for the rear head. That seems to make some sense since the problems occurs when the engine is warmed up. I noticed while starting the bike to check for intake leaks that it will turn over and start, but stalls out and blows a puff of smoke out the air intake. This could be common and I am paying too much attention to every little thing trying to figure this out. Thanks again. | ||
| 99x1 |
The ECM has a separate ground wire under the back of the gas tank. The injectors and coils are feed 12 volts and the ECM makes the connection to ground to fire them. The wire can fracture in the lug, or the lug can crack - it may show up only when warm? Take the temp sensor off the head and ride with it strapped to the frame (it may run a little rich), and see if it still sputters when the engine is warm. Maybe try the same with the IAT sensor in the airbox? Try new spark plugs (plugs can have weird faults). Check the spark plug cables with an meter - the cables may be opening up when warm? | ||
| Ftd |
I had similar symptoms with my '02 X1. Went through all the usual stuff. Turned out to be bad TPS. Dealer found problem and fixed quickly/easily/inexpensively. FWIW Frank | ||
| Kinger |
I will check the ground for the ECM when I get home tonight. I am picking up new plugs and wires today as well. 99x1 - So you are saying just disconnect the ETS from the rear head and wire tie it to the frame and go for a ride? If it doesn't act up, it is probably the ETS? What resistance (?) am I looking for in the spark plug wires? Ftd - I will keep that in mind. Thanks guys. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I had a similar problem on my Sportster last year. The ignition wires going to the coil had started to separate where the boot meets the wire in a VERY hidden fashion. FWIW: I would suggest checking coil wires and the coil itself. Good Luck! | ||
| 99x1 |
Yup, relocating the ETS to see if it is the problem when it heats up. It should show ~30K to 50K resistance at room temperature and drop in resistance when warmed with a hair dryer (to ~5K to 10K). Spark plug cable resistance on mine was 6.2K for the longer cable and 2.5K for the short cable. The service manual shows 4.75K<->11.23K for 19" cable and 1.812K<->4.375K for the 7.25" cable. | ||
| 99x1 |
"Problem: Bike sputters (seems fuel related) under constant power after the bike warms up. Will sometimes cut-off and backfire, other times will just act like it is starved for fuel." Fuel pump pressure and/or wiring? | ||
| Kinger |
I should have posted a follow up to this much sooner. Thanks for all of your suggestions and help. I had the bike running pretty good for the first day of the Bringing It Home Event. It turned out to be none of the above suggested solutions. The full story of the solution is located here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/60437.html?1086578234 Scroll towards the bottom of the page for my post. The short version: A pinched/ shorted wire below the batter and the swingarm. Thanks again for all of your help!! |
