Sputtering at 80...Dying when accelerating

[JMacXB12]

This might be an air flow problem and a quick fix so hopefully someone can help me out. I have an XB12Ss and just two days ago while driving around 75-80mph, the engine light starting flashing and the bike started stuttering and bogged down until I was riding around 65mph, and then the light would turn off and the bike would run perfectly. Also in the same trip, I realized that the bike would bog and die (completely shut off) when trying to accelerate out of low RPMs...no matter how slowly or quickly a twisted the throttle. I recently bought the bike so I don't want to take anything apart searching until I have your all's opinions. I have an open air box conversion installed. Thanks.

[beatsthejaps]

Go faster!!!! :) sounds like your battery is ****tin the bed

[uly luigi]

Regulator may be going out, any trouble charging/starting good?

[FredTheMan]

Hey JMacXB12. I have almost the same problem on my 07 XB12STT. When I accelerate over 3500 RPM the bike misfires and bogs. Before it happened I noticed my fan was coming on whilst riding? Did you have this? I have replaced the TPS thanks to HD, but no change,

uly luigi. My regulator is pushing 15.6 volts, how do you figure it could be causing this?

[JMacXB12]

uly,
I'll check my regulator. Thanks for the suggestion. I also have the same question as Fred...
Fred,
My '06 XB12Ss does the sputtering between 2500-3000 RPMs in mostly 2nd and up and just dackfires and dies unless I downshift to higher RPMs. (Is it the same with you?) so I'm sure we're experiencing similar problems. My fan ALSO comes on while riding but I didn't think anything of it. I've tried hooking up EMC Spy to do a TPS reset but for some reasons it WILL NOT recognize my ECM. I've done all the research I can do but I can't figure it out. I'm think I'm just going to take it to HD if I can't get this figured out soon.

[Sirius815]

I'm wondering if you guys are getting too hot and the bike is going into limp mode for a certain range (total stab in the dark). The same thing you guys are talking about happened to me a few months ago - after a short cooldown everything was well again.

I don't take many long trips so I haven't re-experienced this.

[Sirius815]

I highly doubt it's voltage regulator/battery related.

[BuellyBagger]

sounds like Throttle Position sensor. Pull codes

[Iamarchangel]

Could be two problems: CEL flashing leaves codes unless overheating or ground issue.

Bog like you're describing can happen with air leak. Check throttle body to head manifold joint.

[christianmb]

That is the same thing I was thinking archangel. The gaskets between the throttle body and the head are notorious for leaking. I'd start there.

[JMacXB12]

Sirius,
I thought you may have been right about the overheating ordeal, because the bike only bogged/stalled after about 20-30 minutes of riding, but wouldn't I be getting a warning light before that happens? And I have been riding in 70-80 degree weather and definitely haven't been racing the thing.
Buelly,
If I can EVER get my ECMSpy to connect to my bike then I will reset it...but for some reason it WON'T recognize my ECM.
And lamar,
I'll check the codes as soon as I can figure out this ECMSpy problem.
Thank you for all the input. I'll get one of my IT guys to check out this d*** connection problem and get back to you all. Thank you for all the help.

[Sirius815]

FWIW - when it happened on my bike, it went full lean - all fuel cut (running a wideband). Very odd in my opinion.

The intake gaskets do go bad, however wouldn't he experience the same problems at the same tps and rpm - no matter what the speed? I can only thing that it would be combination of the intake gasket leaking along with temperature as he didn't have the problems during most of the ride.

[BuellyBagger]

I will reset it

i wasn't thinking it needed reset, but maybe it was either going out or had a short somewhere. When my bike was losing TPS signal intermitantly it would run fine for awhile and then bog and sputter like u described. It would go from super rich to no fuel @ all (of course bcuz the bike had no idea where the throttle was) my problem ended up being a bad ECM. Maybe u could try using the jumper wire method to pull codes. Get urself a service manual B4 u tear into it. If end up gettin the codes pulled then u can just go thru the diagnostics described in the manual for the DTC and it will "usually" point u in the right direction.
An intake seal check would be an easy thing to go ahead and do b4 nething else since its so simple and doesnt require ne real tools.

[BuellyBagger]

I can only thing that it would be combination of the intake gasket leaking along with temperature as he didn't have the problems during most of the ride.

temp. increase can effect a failing electronic part. A short circuit that doesnt occur until the part swells slightly from the heat pressing on the ciruitry in the sensor or ecm causing the short and then as it cools the short goes away. i dunno shootin from the hip

also kinda points to ECM since ur having trouble connecting to ECMspy. If its a possibility to borrow another ECM from somebody or u just wanna buy a used one and plug er in and c what happens.

[Sirius815]

temp. increase can effect a failing electronic part. A short circuit that doesnt occur until the part swells slightly from the heat pressing on the ciruitry in the sensor or ecm causing the short and then as it cools the short goes away. i dunno shootin from the hip

Yes this is true - as a counter point - I'm sure the Buell's inherent shaking could be more of an issue :P

[JMacXB12]

Buelly,
I probably should try getting another ECM and hooking it up just to make sure that's not the problem. I'm in Blacksburg VA if anyone knows of someone else around here that has a Buell. I've certainly never seen one around. I will try and find some time this week to make sure all the seals are good. Also, driving at higher speeds (80+) causes my bike to flash at me sometimes, so I need to get this sorted out before I want to run the bike again.