ENGINE light with limp home mode?

[Keith Turk]

Guys I've been chasing an engine light and subsequent limp home mode for a few years...

The bike runs great in the back up mode except for the ratty idle. I've ridden it thousands of miles with the light on. You gotta know it drives me outta my mind but... the first time it happened I rode it 400 miles home out of nessesity and realized it wasn't hurting anything other then gas mileage and the Idle.

I'm generally a good mechanic and it's currently at a certified Harley Master tech's place. Just at a loss on how to fix this turd.

I bought the bike new about 6 months after they shut down Buell... it's my Forever bike... no interest in selling it or doing anything but wearing it's happy ass out.



What we've done... There are no codes. and we've replaced several sensors as well as the O2 sensor... If the bike is allowed to cool off the light goes out and the bike runs perfectly for a few miles before it warms up and reverts to it's Turd like appeal.


Thoughts?

 

[njloco]

You will need to list the year of the bike and any modifications done to it ?

 

[Silverrider]

As requested above ^^^ What bike is it ? pics ? model ,yr ? is it a test bike ? etc.......

 

[34nineteen]

Certainly a "certified Harley Master tech" will do a diagnosis, before throwing a bunch of parts at it. What codes have been pulled from the ECM? What diagnosis has been performed? Specifically, which of the "several sensors" have been replaced?

I'm guessing you are now banking that bunch of keyboard warriors on the internet are going to be able to outsmart a trained, certified Harley master tech who has the bike in front of him. If thats the case, maybe you should find a new "certified Harley Master tech".

 

[Cooter]

Theres definitely more to this story. You can't have a CEL without a code.

Please list the specifics of the bike, the diagnostic steps you've done, what sensors you threw at it, and any info that can help a bunch of strangers that have never seen your bike... guess at your issue for you.

Do you have, and can you use any diagnostic tools like ECMDroid? ECMSpy, or TunerPro?

 

[Keith Turk]

The bike is an 09 XB12XT I talked to my buddy with the bike and it did have some codes and I'm sorry to say I didn't collect them. I'll have him send them to me. I had several broken wires in the steering neck area that had to be repaired and an Idle speed controller. ( little electonic bit on the upper right side of the airbox ) and the O2 sensor I previously mentioned.

This question is going to have to go on hold until I get the bike back, we've decided on doing that in a week or two... the guy and I are really good, Old friends and won't let this affect that. it's just stuff. he's talked to harley's tech department several times and they keep bringing up the throttle body, but the fix is to install the new Part number that my bike already has and it tests fine.

So in retrospect.. I was premature putting this out there.. I should have waited to have the bike in my hands. Just tickled to find a group of enthusisasts for Buell's... I'd honestly never really looked for one. I bought this bike new... simply because I loved the concept of the bike and have grown to love the bike itself over the years. it's only got 15k miles on it. Mostly because I buy and sell bikes as a hobby and always have other junk to ride. The Ulysses is "my" bike.. it being broke like this is a shame... If you look up my name you'll find I really am a fairly competent mechanic.

Thanks for taking the time guys... I'll get back to you when I have the scooter.

 

[34nineteen]

So, your course of action is to take your Forever bike back from your trusted old friend, the certified Harley master mechanic... and start taking advice from a bunch of strangers on a forum?

Sounds legit.

 

[Cooter]

OK, you have asked a bunch of Buell enthusiasts for a favor to help you with a problem you haven't been able to fix. I think you'll find that most of us are ready to help a fellow Bueller that needs it.:eagerness:
I believe I know what your issue is:up:, but it will take a small amount of diagnosis to confirm it.

Since you and your friend are unable to fix this bike yourselves:upset: Be a a little humble.
Remember you are asking strangers for a favor. You want us to diagnose your bike, for free, that both you, and your "certified Harley Master tech" friend have not been able to do.

This doesn't help:

I'm generally a good mechanic...

it's currently at a certified Harley Master tech's place

the guy and I are really good....

he's talked to harley's tech department several times... [and we ignored their advise](I added)

you'll find I really am a fairly competent mechanic.

BTW Keith, I do know who you are, I respect what you do, and ya, you should be able to fix this yourself We have several common acquaintances in the old T.E.N. circle, including DF. Your 'personality' comes off a little strong on a first post like that.

Welcome to BuellXB

 

[pdksh]

With out any in-depth understanding of your Buells issue I’m going to shoot from the hip: cracked ECM, seat rubbing on it
electrical issues will make you humble or crazy...

 

[34nineteen]

With out any in-depth understanding of your Buells issue I’m going to shoot from the hip: cracked ECM, seat rubbing on it
electrical issues will make you humble or crazy...

My guess is a failing fuel pump.

 

[Outlaw]

Sea Foam to the rescue.

 

[pdksh]

Best answers in order of likeliness:
SEAFOAM - price is right
FUELL PUMP - see Jon aka lunatic
BROKEN ECM - good time for a factory tune

Common, need some updates

 

[Cooter]

Don't forget the head temp sensor, that would trigger 'parade mode' and single cylinder operation. Easy to check with ECMDroid.

 

[Keith Turk]

Here's the codes in the historic file

PO 154 oxygen sensor open
PO 506 Idle air control system Rpm higher then expected
PO 511 Idle air control curcuit fault
PL 470 Exhaust Valve actuator stuck open


Thanks for your thougths and the Warm Welcome

 

[pdksh]

I wouldn't loose too much sleep about "PL 470 Exhaust Valve actuator stuck open" - disable it with ECMspy.

Have you visually reviewed the ECM (take it out of the bike) and verified it has no visual damage. Is the ECM in the factory location or has it been relocated? I tucked mine up by the rear shock and fabricated a tiny bracket to hold it. Some people cut the bottom of the seat tray.

I normally record the errors from the ECM, clear them and do a test drive. I believe the O2 Sensor is easily replaced with an automotive sensor from NAPA, but you will need to check for a part number cross reference.

Keep us in formed.

 

[34nineteen]

Don't forget the head temp sensor, that would trigger 'parade mode' and single cylinder operation. Easy to check with ECMDroid.

Cooter makes a good point here. Another tell-tale sign of a wonky head sensor is that your fan doesnt turn on at all when the bike is shut down after being run to full operating temperature.

You'll want to make sure the fan is actually functioning first on its own, but that is very simple to check with ECMDroid.

I've had head temp sensors fail, and it didn't light the CEL... however the lack of a fan running on shutdown and the sound of fuel boiling in the tank were sufficient to alert me to the issue.

 

[34nineteen]

I wouldn't loose too much sleep about "PL 470 Exhaust Valve actuator stuck open" - disable it with ECMspy.

Have you visually reviewed the ECM (take it out of the bike) and verified it has no visual damage. Is the ECM in the factory location or has it been relocated? I tucked mine up by the rear shock and fabricated a tiny bracket to hold it. Some people cut the bottom of the seat tray.

I normally record the errors from the ECM, clear them and do a test drive. I believe the O2 Sensor is easily replaced with an automotive sensor from NAPA, but you will need to check for a part number cross reference.

Keep us in formed.

I'd also do what pdksh said about disabling the exhaust valve in ECMDroid, then clear all historic codes, and then go take it for a run and see what it comes back with. If the O2 or IAC codes come back, then you know where to focus. It could be those codes have been stored from years ago, and have already been resolved.

I've had the Exhaust valve error pop up from time to time (I like the stock exhaust), but its never affected performance as I could tell.

 

[pdksh]

And John is calling out bad grounds. All are very likely culprits. I’m still betting on a bum ECM

OK it’s January in Ontario. I am suffering from PMS (parked motorcycle syndrome) I need all the two wheeled stimulation I can get.

 

[Keith Turk]

In response to Cooter's Head temp sensor? I don't have the bike, so I can't answer this... It's an interesting question.

Hmmm

 

[Cooter]

I hope someones right, but without diagnosis... we are all just guessing for you.