Running on one cylinder. Help!

[rusko466]

Ok so the bike has 1600 miles on it. It's an 09 CityX. Ran great when I bought it a week ago but when I started it last night it was only firing on one cylinder.

The fuel was low so I'm hoping some bad fuel fouled a plug?

Has anyone had this issue? Just wanted to check before I pull the plugs this weekend.

Thanks for the help.

 

[user_deleted]

rusko: if you have compression, fuel and spark at the correct time the cylinder will fire. in all likelihood a fouled plug. your 09 model should have spark plug self-cleaning capability. below is instructions to do same as per manual. give it a try. if it does not cure the problem i would do the easy thing first and pull the plug on the dead cylinder, inspect it and install new one. the plug high tension lead can be a bit finnicky to remove and install and be gentle with it so as not to break it or its connection inside boot and at coil. hope that helps.

If foul plugs are suspected ,a spark plug clean can be initiated manually. Repeat the following sequence three times.
1. roll and hold the throttle wide open
2.turn the ignition to ON
3.wait three seconds
4.release the throttle grip
5.turn the ignition to off

 

[deathandtexas]

Has anyone had this issue? Just wanted to check before I pull the plugs this weekend.

I had the same problem and it turned out one of the plugs had been "pulled" for me. I had already bought new spark plugs, thinking they had gone bad or something - but once I got into it, the actual problem was that the wire covering had just vibrated off the rear plug. Putting it back on fixed everything. Check that first if you haven't already.

 

[rusko466]

I'll try those two things. Be nice if it was just a lose wire.

That self clean is interesting, guess I should read through the manual before the season comes. Not used to all the new changes from '03

 

[The whisper]

If you talk about the front cylinder
Check the ignition wire of the front Cylinder,it tends to be exposed due to the proximity to heat Cylinder.


Good luck


[up]

 

[rusko466]

Looks like its the front cylinder thats not firing. Have to go but a shorter set-up for my T27 bit tomorrow so I can get the scoop off.

Do I need a swivel bit for the plug or will a regular do it? I know in Dave's how-to's he has a swivel.

 

[buellbradski]

Not the front cylinder but the rear you will need a swivel and some extensions

 

[rusko466]

Ok, finally found the issue (I hope).

Got the bike tore apart and the front plug was black so I figured AHA! that has to be it.

Then just for S&G because I had a few days till the plugs came in I thought I would double check the wires and coil connections and throw some dielectric in there. To my disappointment I found this...
Rusty terminal on the front end of the coil:

Rusted out front plug wire, if you look close you can see the outer loop of the connection is gone, the part that causes it to physically click onto the terminal:

Was just going to replace the wire but the coil is cheap enough I figured I would at least order another.

Good thing there's snow on the ground or I would be pulling my hair out waiting for parts.

Anyone else have this issue? I figured it was from the guy washing the bike and not running it for a long time to get rid of any moisture that may have snuck by the boot.

 

[user_deleted]

rusko: that's excellent work on your part and it is very unusual to find corrosion where you did. either from washing and non-drying as you mentioned, a corrosive environment, riding in the winter on salted roads. replacing the parts as you plan to do is going to make a huge difference in how your bike performs. and the di-electric grease is non-conductive meaning it is used to prevent corrosion and the entry of moisture into a connection...NOT to promote conductivity. keep it off the connections.

 

[rusko466]

Just ordered my plug wire from American Harley in North Tonawanda, NY. Only a $11 part but shipping about doubled that. Going to hold off on the coil because it cleaned up nicely and the other wire looked fine. So new plugs and un-rusted connections should fix my issue.

My local Harley shop in Syracuse, NY (Performance Harley) was trying to charge me $20 for just the wire. Granted it all equals out in the end with having it shipped to me, it's the principal...They tried over charging me $30 for a belt on my '03 but I made them match the cheaper price.

 

[rusko466]

FINALLY got all my parts last night and put her back together. Going strong on both cylinders.

Only thing is its pretty boggy at low RPMs and had some pretty dark exhaust when it was running.

I'm hoping its from old gas making the injectors dirty?? Any opinions?

Hopefully get some fresh gas and injector cleaner ran through it this weekend.

Let me know if this has happened to anyone else.