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Dserianni
| Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2011 - 10:20 am: |
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Having an issue with my blast while driving at steady speeds, most notably 45 and 55 mph range. I get a pulse sensation of power loss similar to when you're running low on gas and need to switch to reserve. Anyone else experience a similar problem and have a solution? Is this a carburetor cracking as described above? |
Swampy
| Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2011 - 01:54 pm: |
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Welcome to the Thumper Forum Dserianni! You want to check the easy things first. Usually if you have a boot that is not doing what it is supposed to you will experience hard starting and backfiring. How is your fuel flow? If your tank vent is plugged you could be running lean. Have you changed your carbueretor jets? If the carbueretor is in the stock configuration you would more than likely not be running a rich enough mixture that the Blast likes. Those are two relatively simple checks/changes. I have experienced what you are experiencing now. It was the ignition module failing. It is a common problem found on 2001 Blasts, but not unheard of on later model Blasts. Unfortunately, an ignition module is a VERY difficult thing to diagnose, usually you will suffer for a year or more with the backfiring and dragging feeling you feel(switching from one spark curve to another) and then one day it will mercifully completely fail on you, leaving you with no spark and no LED lighting up on the ignition module. The up side to this is that once that happens, you will replace the ignition module and you will remark "My, My, this thing sure runs nice! I should have replaced the ignition module a long time ago!" However, don't do anything until you change the carb jets to 170 main and 46 or 48 primary and I would either shim the needle up .050 Keep us informed |
Ezblast
| Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2011 - 04:55 pm: |
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Check the boot then disable the safety switches first, if that doesn't do it, then on to what swampy says - 2002 on up, the ignitions rarely fail, so try the other stuff first, check coil and regulator as well to rule them out, then after all that - then the ignition is suspected, all the rest being less expensive as well. EZ (Message edited by ezblast on February 05, 2011) |
Dserianni
| Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2011 - 06:44 pm: |
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Thanks, I'll check those issues! I already had the ignition module replaced. This problem started right after that. I took it back, and they adjusted the throttle, but that didn't help at all. The carburetor is still stock config. |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2011 - 07:34 pm: |
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"This problem started right after that." Not a good sign. Maybe coincidence. Concur with Swampy and EZ! Are you in 5th gear doing 45-55? This still happens with a full tank of gas? If its a gas tank vent problem it will usually get worse with less fuel in the tank. If there's doubt, crack the gas cap open (though not with a full tank of gas if engine is running). If the engine is off, you might hear a hiss when you pull the cap off. If the engine is running and you're doing the 45-55, then the problem should very shortly go away. This scenario is VERY common on bikes sent to California. Its not a California model bike is it? Remember, easy stuff first! |
Johneblast
| Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2011 - 10:25 pm: |
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Just throwing my two cents in, as soon as I replace my original ignition module with a new one I had the same symptoms,BUT, being a California bike, I found out about the charcoal can being an issue on the bikes out here. Consiquently, I plugged the PVC line and the carb line and left the tank line open. No more surge or loss of power at the upper end. Now that I am legit again, the can is coming off! By the way, welcome. I'm sure you already have found the patriarchs here on this site are very helpful. |
Ezblast
| Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2011 - 11:30 pm: |
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One of your wires to the ignition module is perhaps loose in the harness connection. Everything on both sides of the deutsche connector has to be tight. Also check for breaks/rubs. EZ |
Kauai1800
| Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2011 - 04:59 pm: |
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Can you still get the ignition modules new from HD? How much? Other options? I've got a 2001 Cali bike (that's been de-Californicated), so I'd like to know if it might be something to just go ahead and replace. I have seen it do a few odd things that might relate to an ignition module problem.
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Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2011 - 05:47 pm: |
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"de-Californicated" LOL!!! No, there arent any "bolts right on" options to stock. There used to be*, but everything now takes from a little to a lot of modifications. Not that hard to do, but unless you were going to make other engine modifications, I wouldnt bother. $100-$400 *Buell Pro Series ignition was a direct 'bolt on' for stock. Long discontinued and had possibly as many failures as the early stock modules and cost 2x-3x as much. They still come up on e-bay, but its a big gamble. Awesome when they work! |
Swampy
| Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2011 - 07:45 pm: |
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Also, check your spark plug boot to make sure it is TIGHT Easy first! |
Kauai1800
| Posted on Monday, February 07, 2011 - 06:46 pm: |
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I wussed out and bought a New Blast ignition module off of eBay - it was only $45. (HD OEM part) I figure that if 2001 bikes are prone to this component failing, I might as well replace mine if it's only $50 shipped...that seems like cheap insurance. Plus it's all clean and shiny... (Message edited by kauai1800 on February 07, 2011) |
Ezblast
| Posted on Monday, February 07, 2011 - 09:46 pm: |
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Put it aside and wait till it fails. It may never - but at least your prepared. Old rule - don't fix what does not need fixing. It usually gives you a lot of warning. EZ |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Monday, February 07, 2011 - 09:58 pm: |
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"Old rule - don't fix what does not need fixing." Amen. Followed by "easy first" but always preceded by "Das Boot"! It is small enough to carry and can be changed out easily too. Half hour (or less) for the experienced, more for the novice. PS I'm hoping it was still "new in package"? |
Kauai1800
| Posted on Tuesday, February 08, 2011 - 02:42 am: |
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but it's gonna be so shiny and new.... well.... Ok...shoots. I'll hold onto it til needed...but I nabbed it because it was the only new one I saw on eBay. |
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