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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through August 17, 2006 » Engine dies on Hwy « Previous Next »

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Fool4buell
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There's a closed thread about the Uly engine dying out on the road. Flipping the kill switch off and then on gets the engine going again. Mine did it twice yesterday.

Has this problem been resolved? What fixed it? What do I ask the dealer to fix?
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Court
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Jim:

Send me the details along with your contact info and the name of your dealer.

The more detailed the description the better.

Has your dealer already looked at this?

Court
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Chadhargis
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've seen posts that say it's the fuel pump, but I've not had any trouble with mine. Bike is running better now than ever.
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Ftd
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine did the die/kill switch routine for the first time Sat. during the BRAG ride. Very disconcerting as I was in a group and getting ready to pass a truck. '06 Uly, 3500 miles, ~90 F, ~90 mph, ~3/4 full of gas. I would love to know of a fix before I take it to a shop.

frank
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Fool4buell
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 12:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I thought I had flipped the kill switch by accident but it was in the right position.

Every time it has happened it has been dry with temps in the 80's and I had been riding at 60-70 mph for several hours. I rode Seattle to Portland on backroads on Saturday with no problems. It happened twice (25 minutes apart) on Sunday after several hours of highway/freeway driving.

If it was the fuel pump it seems like the engine would cough and buck a little before dying. If it was a short, flipping the kill switch back and forth wouldn't fix it. Maybe bad kill switch?

It is so intermittent I don't want to take it to the dealer until I have a clue about the cause.
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Ftd
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 01:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I am with you Fool. I feel that a trip to the dealer with an issue like this would be a waste of time until a likely solution is known. Very frustrating.

Frank
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Superglide
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 02:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I experienced the same this past weekend. About 130 miles into a ride and traveling ~75-80 on the interstate home and shutdown 2x's. I first thought vapor lock or fuel pump, it does seem more on the electrical side though, no coughing or spitting just like hitting the kill switch....

Craig
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Chris_in_tn
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 04:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine too has the same problem. I took it to the dealer and they could not replicate the problem. I went to pick it up and it stopped doing it for about two months, until about a week ago, it has started again.
They said it is not producing any codes in the computer so they are stumped. If there is a shortcoming with computerized vehicles, this is one of them. Many mechanics have lost, or never had, the ability to trace down a problem that the computer does not find for them.
I feel like I am rolling the dice every time I start across a busy intersection( is this the time it's going to die when a speeding truck is heading my way!?!?)
There seems to be nothing I do in particular that seems to cause it. No weather condition, speed, lean angle, etc... It seems to be completely random.
It seems if it were the fuel pump, as has been said it would cough and sputter a bit before dieing. It is as if someone reaches over and hits the kill switch, which is what I thought I must have done the first time it happened.
It will restart while still moving down the road just by cycling the kill switch or key switch either seems to work equally as well.
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Fool4buell
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 04:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

All 3x that it has happened to me it's been after a couple hours of steady highway driving at above 75 degrees. Has it happened under different circumstances to other people?

It hasn't rained in a while so not a water issue.
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 04:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Have your local dealer check the fuel pressure. The pressure was below spec. It isn't that the pressure drops off, but I think that the pressure is just low enough that the ECU is doing something weird. I had mine replaced and have had no further problems over the last 700 miles.
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Eor
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 05:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I never had the engine cut out on me but had some electrical glitches [spontaneous clock and trip meter resets] and others have reported intermittent turn signals.

The cause of my problems was determined to be a broken wire/short and I was told the wire harness in question was replaced after I traded the bike in.

I bet the engine cutting out is a different symptom of the same problem, but don't have anything more than a hunch to back up that theory.

Bear in mind that when the ambient temperature of a conducting wire increases, it's electrical resistance typically increases. This might explain why the symptoms appear to be heat related.

If the connection is marginal to begin with, the increase in temperature / resistivity and the effects of vibration from riding for an extended period could be enough to break the connection.

Just a theory.....

I hope they get this figured out quickly. My concern over this kind of malfunction given the electrical problems I was already having contributed some to my decision to part with the Ulysses.
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Stevem123
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 07:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Check my previous posting on fuel pump issues. I suspect some of us are experiencing fuel pump pressure issues due to the pressure switch failing or being flaky. Mine has died twice in the past but started right back up again and now the pump runs continuosly. I have an appointment to get it looked at even though the bike runs fine.

BC Steve
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Davo
Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 11:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine did it three times at highway speed and it was the interactive muffler control, error code 21.
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Isaac
Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 03:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine did it twice the same day (30 degrees)..... one in the highway on the left lane.... very dangerous...... another one in a slow close turn...... also tricky..... I took it to the dealer and they replaced the ECM with the race version.... never happened again.
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Chris_in_tn
Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 10:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I failed to mention that I have replaced my ECM with the race ECM and it still does it. I will ask my dealer to check the fuel pump.
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Rkc00
Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 01:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine has done this 5 times in one day on my trip down to rolling thunder in May. Had the dealer check everything out and they found nothing wrong. (???) The dealer changed one of my relays in the fuse box and I have not had a problem since. I have put just over 4000 miles on since then. I am now over 12000 miles.

Mike
Long Island, NY
06 XB12X Black of course
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Thunderbox
Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 03:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine has quit 4 times. 3 times on a trip to the east coast and once last week on a trip to the west coast. I just pray it doesn't happen when I'm passing. The dealer found some bad connections but it happened since. I think it's the ECM that is wonky but unless they can find a problem with it they probably won't change it.

Would be nice to find this one glitch and get it fixed.

God I love the Uly but thisa one problem will probably haunt me for a while.
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Chris_in_tn
Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 08:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I was at my dealer yesterday(08/12/06) for my side stand recall and mentioned my bike was dieing again. They told me they have since talked to the factory since I had mine in the first time. The factory is telling them it is in fact a problem with the bank angle sensor. It is not a problem that will trip a code in the computer. There is a small wire that is backing out and causing the problem. This is what had been discussed here for a while as the likely cause, but most dealers, including mine were reluctant to replace it because it was not tripping an error code. But it is a know problem by the factory now and should be no problem to have replaced.
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Fastfxrs
Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 10:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I started a previous thread on this and thats how I was contacted by H-D tech services to achieve a fix. Cycling the kill switch would restart my engine. Tach was dead when engine died. Always happened at highway speed. The Factory had dealer replace cam position and bank angle sensors. That was 7000 miles ago and problem never reoccured.
PS My bike never tripped an error code. I don't know why a dealer would drag its feet on this if there is a known fix for the same symptoms.
Tim
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Naesnosbig
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 03:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine has quit on me 2 times now. Both after riding for an hour or two at freeway speeds, in 80 to 90 degree weather. Last time It happend I noticed the tack cycling and that led me to think it was something electricl. I looked at the relays after it happend and the ignition relay was very hot almost to hot to touch, I think the relay was getting to hot or may be faulty, I switched the ignition and the starter relays and the problem has not happend since, but I am still weary waiting for a warm day to test my theory, and I think im going to buy a couple new relays.

06' XB9SX
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Naesnosbig
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 03:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

P.S. I took the bike into the dealer and the problem is so intermintent that it never happend for them and the said it did not show any codes, Very frustrating.
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Chris_in_tn
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 05:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Again, these are the exact same symptoms mine were/are having. It is a known problem by the factory. They say it is the bank angle sensor. It will not produce a code in the computer. Take it to them again and give them this info. If they are reluctant to address the problem because it is not producing a code have them call Buell and they will tell them, as they did my dealer, what the problem is.
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Print this page of responses when you take the bike in so they have no excuse to be dumbfounded. Most of these things you guys have pointed out can be taken care of by the Buell tech licketysplit. Why let them scratch their heads when you can help them out. I personally have yet to have any of these problems but then I've only got 2500 miles on the ULY. I have experienced a couple of hiccups usually within a couple of blocks after startup, but that's it.
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Thunderbox
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 01:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine has quit at least 6 times. The tack continues to work but the engine quits. Totally just dies instantly. Not an indication of a fuel or fuel pump problem. I would bet it is an loss of spark. Why I don't know but I like the idea that it could be the ignition relay or something that controls the relay. Maybe an ECM. Has anyone who has changed to the race ECM had this happen to them???? I've had the bike to the dealer but hey if it won't do it for them what can they do.
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 02:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

This makes sense. They replaced both my fuel pump and the bank angle sensor. I have had no problems in the last 800 miles.

I don't know whether it was the fuel pump or the bank angle sensor. My fuel pump wasn't generating enough pressure.
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Fool4buell
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 02:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Some really good guesses here but it doesn't look like we have one true solution. ECM, fuel pump, cam/bank angle sensors have been replaced and the problem has gone away. I don't think my dealer will be willing to do this all at once!

On the fuel pump: I agree it's not a fuel starvation problem but could low fuel pressure trigger the ECM to shut the engine down? What is cycling when you flip the kill switch on: the fuel pump?
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Chris_in_tn
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 04:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sometimes I think I am in the twilight zone......
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Lorazepam
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 05:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Chris, I have to agree. It is amazing, you can lead a horse to water, but you cant make him drink.
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Chris_in_tn
Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 10:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The answers lye before you grasshopper.
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