Chasing ignition gremlins

Energy One
I've been discussing this via PM with Moespeeds(thanks Moe:D ) but I figured I'd toss it out here for others to see. I just finished my EHC elimination last weekend, yet I still have the stalling problem that I had before. Here's what it does:

Bike will be running and lose spark, shutting down. All other electrical still functions, just no spark. The tach does not illuminate, the red LED on the TH does not illuminate or flash. Shutting the bike off and on at the key, sometimes many times, will sometimes fix it, others not. I have to let it sit for a while in those cases. This is exactly what it did before I ditched the EHC, so I'm not suspecting the Wire Plus kit yet.

Before I go and buy a cam sensor like Moe and I were discussing, anything else I should look at? I was going to put new ring crimps on the coil connections as well.


Thoughts? I've read through the other threads addressing spark issues and I'm reasonably certain of the cam sensor being the problem, I just wanted a handful of opinions before I throw more money at it. :bang: I didn't see anything that made me say "That's my problem!!" so I'm throwing it up here. Not trying to flog a dead horse or anything.
 
I would recommend to bite the bullet and put a nice aftermarket ignition in there. That particular thunderheart setup isn't doing you any favors. Put the dyna ignition in then you only will have 1 module contained in the camchest. The wiring will be direct to the coils aside from the tach signal. You've gone this far so now finish the job.
 

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
Al's got the right answer. You're right it's most likely the cam sensor since the EHC is now gone and the red LED on the TH is not seeing a signal (no light). While the ignition switch is possible, it should be pretty easy to eliminate that as a source (jumper around it).
 

stlmikie

I wish I had more money.
Alhall is right. And Wood the butcher is on to something as well. Maybe someone has an extra switch you could use for a test.
 
The Dyna 2Ki is on my "to do" list, but after blowing my wad on the Wire Plus I need to recover a bit. :D Quick question on that, can I get the unit that does not include a coil, or do I need to change the coil out with that as well?

The ignition switch was changed out to a Sportster style when I did the WP, so I'm not suspecting it at the moment. Still, all other electrical works fine even when I have no spark, so I think the switch is OK.

I picked up a cam sensor from Reno HD today, so I'm going to go ahead and throw that in and give it a go. I'll post my success or failure as it happens. :2thumbs:
 

stlmikie

I wish I had more money.
You will make the second guy that put this wireplus on thinking it would fix the issues. Sorry it hasn't worked for you. Kind of a bitch spending all that money and that wasn't the problem.
 

Chopper Dave

SIICK!!!
You will make the second guy that put this wireplus on thinking it would fix the issues. Sorry it hasn't worked for you. Kind of a bitch spending all that money and that wasn't the problem.
yeah no shit!

hope you get your problem taken care of Malefic
 
I'll get it squared away one way or another!! :D

FWIW, I don't regret doing the WirePlus even though it didn't solve the stalling problem. I've had EHC problems before, the one that was in my bike was the fourth one, and I knew it had potential to give me shit in the future, so I fired it. One less thing to worry about. :)
 

Oscar Maldonado

Guru
Calendar Participant
Bike will be running and lose spark, shutting down. All other electrical still functions, just no spark. The tach does not illuminate, the red LED on the TH does not illuminate or flash. Shutting the bike off and on at the key, sometimes many times, will sometimes fix it, others not. I have to let it sit for a while in those cases. This is exactly what it did before I ditched the EHC, so I'm not suspecting the Wire Plus kit yet.

This is the shit I'm going through right now.:down:

The bike has been sitting there doing nothing also, I haven't messed with it.

I've sank to much into it as of right now and I've had enough.

I beleive it's going up for sale. Thinking $10,000 very low miles. I'm done with all of this shit. I'll go out and get another bike to ride.
 

RRRUFF

Well-Known Member
FYI! My friends bike was doing exactly the same thing, with exception that he did not have the Wire Plus. It would run fine for a while then shut down. Turn off ignition, sit for a while and it would start up and run for a while. Turned out to be his ignition module. Change out running like a scalded dog. Hope this helps!!
 

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
Had similar probs a couple years back -- with help, trouble shot it to the cam sensor. Replaced and no probs since...
 
FYI! My friends bike was doing exactly the same thing, with exception that he did not have the Wire Plus. It would run fine for a while then shut down. Turn off ignition, sit for a while and it would start up and run for a while. Turned out to be his ignition module. Change out running like a scalded dog. Hope this helps!!
I've put two ignition modules in mine, plus swapped in a known good one for a week or so to appease the dealer, no change. I've eliminated it as the culprit. :)
 
Alrighty then!

I soldered my cam sensor connector onto the new HD unit, threaded the wires down through the housing(thicker, needed to lube up:whoop: ) bolted her up, lined up the markings and badda bing, she started and ran. I let her idle for about 5 minutes, shut her off, and started her again, no problem.


Fingers are crossed. I didn't test ride since it's raining and I'm a fair-weather pussy, but it's one less piece of BDM electronics to worry about. I'm going to be hopeful for now. Dyna 2Ki in the near future. :2thumbs:








I forgot how much I hate soldering.:rant:
 

Keith S

EHC FREE!!!!
Glad to hear it is running. I had the same problem with mine last fall. Replaced the ignition and it ran, but then the EHC took a crap. Replaced that with the Wire plus and have been very happy since. Hope this gets you back on the road.

Oscar - don't ditch the whole bike for next to nothing. At least get it running and then if you want to, sell it for a decent amount. I understand where you are with it. You bought it to RIDE. I felt the same way, but now that mine is up and running, I remember why I bought it in the first place.
 
Top