Stranded Dog

[03BigPit]

Hello - I bought an 03 Pitbull last year and have been having a blast, that is up until yesterday. While driving approx 30mph the bike gave me a small back fire and then died. All electrical work as they should(lights, signal horn). Fuel is on, full tank of gas (although wasn't able to put in 91 octane because station was out - what BS). Low octane gas would make the bike not perform well but don't think it would shut it down. Bike turns over hard but would not fire up. Let bike sit for about 1/2 hr and it started. Drove another mile and it died again. Waited another 1/2 and it started again long enough to get me home. I've heard and read all the bazillion horror stories on the EHC but they have all been on the more recent model yrs. My bike has a Thunderheart EHC (don't know if this is original or not) I don't want to jump the gun just yet on the EHC. I am planning to change the plugs, wires and coil to start with. Any other suggestion on what to look at?

 

[BadBrad]

That is the original Thunderheart ignition module, but it's not the EHC. One of the best things about the '03 Wire Plus replacement for your EHC is that it's plug and play. The only wiring you'll have to do are the 7 or 8 wires that go to the dash dummy lights.

 

[03BigPit]

Thanks for the quick response. I'm still learning where all the stuff is on the bike and there function. Where is the EHC located?

 

[BadBrad]

I'm guessing if it's not under the seat that it's mounted on top of the frame between the tanks. That's where my wife's is/was located, but she has a Mastiff.

 

[FST954]

I have a 04 RB is the wires plus install just as easy to do as an 03?

 

[03BigPit]

yep it is under the tank. I remember seeing it when I had the tank off for repaint. As I understand it the EHC performs all fuse, relay and flasher functions? I can't be certain if its tied in to why the bike stalled out and would not start back up.

 

[BadBrad]

I have a 04 RB is the wires plus install just as easy to do as an 03?

You would need to PM Jake (bdmridgeback). He is Mr Wire Plus. He sells them on here with a member's discount. I think the 04 is a little different from the 03, but he can give you specifics.

 

[BadBrad]

yep it is under the tank. I remember seeing it when I had the tank off for repaint. As I understand it the EHC performs all fuse, relay and flasher functions? I can't be certain if its tied in to why the bike stalled out and would not start back up.

I'm guessing that it's probably not the cause. The next time it happens, try to eliminate some potential causes. Check to see if you're getting fire to plugs. If so, then it's a fuel problem. If not, then backtrack until you find out what's not sending fire.

 

[03BigPit]

Thanks BadBrad. While the bike is running the Thunderheart ignition module's red light is on. Is it supposed to stay on while the bike is running? By the way, while the bike was running I checked for loose or shorted out wires - nothing found. The bike ran for about15 minutes and shut off again. There is no spark. Had the coil tested at my local bike sop and was told the coil is good. They mentioned it could be the cam sensor. Any thoughts on no spark?

 

[03BigPit]

ignition module light on while bike is running - is it supposed to be?

 

[lowrider47]

I had a problem just like yours, changed out my ignition module and solved problem. Have dyna 2000i ignition and would not run when hot. Still running good after a year on the change.

 

[Gatlin5]

I agree with Lowrider-I had the same problem awhile back on my 2001 Prosport. The ignition module is notorious for giving those syptoms. It will actually talk about it in the service manual under ignition module. If you look up (google) the installation instructions and trouble shooting for your unit there is a pretty simple way to trouble shoot it. Here is the one for the module I had, might give you some direction. http://www.daytona-twintec.com/download/Model_1005_Ironhorse_Instructions.pdf What it does is cut off the front cylinder then the bike will start back firing studder and die, let it sit 10 or 15 minutes and it's good until it gets hot again and it starts all over again. You can also put some heat to it when you get it home but be prepared it may start to quit a lot sooner or all together but at least you'll know you got it.

All the best,

Joe

 

[reflective]

did a search

Could it be a gas cap venting problem? I did a search on that problem and sounds as if it might be similar.

 

[Gatlin5]

Could it be a gas cap venting problem? I did a search on that problem and sounds as if it might be similar.

It could be, but being that it is an 03 I would think if it ever had the EPA cap it was taken care of a while ago. If you do a search on gas caps here you'll read a lot about it also some pictures of what the piece looks like that should get removed. Another way to see if is your cap is when it does it and the bike has shut down, crack the cap and see if you hear air rushing in, then if it starts you'll know.

Things to check:
Gas Cap
Spark Plug wires and plugs
Petcock filter: for grit or tank liner coming apart
Clean Air Filter and Carb
Check Coil and Ignition Module

When we are new owners of a used bike, the reason a person is selling it is because they are not usually using it much any more, so they are sitting a lot and that is not good for any machine especially a Big Dog.

With my bike, I had just bought it this past January and had to trouble shoot a multitude of different problems. Few of them that also create a similar sympton but it usually occurred at any point in the ride, didn't matter if the bike was cold or hot. I had a hole in a plug wire. Then My fuel tank liner had started to come apart and it would clog the petcock filter and the cross over tubes(dual tanks), it would sputter back fire and start to die due to carb not getting enough fuel, creates a real lean condition of course. So I had to get the tanks relined. To check the liner you can try to look into the tank with a flash light, but didn't show me much until I drained the tank and removed the petcock filter, then I saw pieces of liner on it and could see all the pieces sliding around in the tank. Then I still had the cutting out when reaching temp problem that you are discribing.

The first three months I spent probably 4 hours in the garage working on it for every hour I rode. But it runs fantastic now and I really got to know my bike. And working on it for me is all part of the adventure. Although I could do with out the sitting on the side of the road deal.

IMPORTANT: Let us know what you find along the way, then this thread will be useful for the next guy.

Best of Luck!

 

[03BigPit]

Thanks Joe.
Per your respone on things to check:
Gas Cap - checked and good
Spark Plug wires and plugs - checked and good (new plugs)
Petcock filter: for grit or tank liner coming apart -looked in tank with flashlight and looked good
Clean Air Filter and Carb - not done yet
Check Coil and Ignition Module - coil checked and good. Need to check ignition module but at this time don't no how.
The bike for some reason now starts but havent drove it yet because I dont feel like being stuck on the side of the road again.

 

[Gatlin5]

Dave,

What I did was kept a couple mile radius from the house once mine got about 15 minutes or so into the ride is when it would act up. All I had to do was let it cool off for 10 or 15 minutes and it was good to get me home. I did this while I troubleshot the problem then when I was pretty sure it was the module I did a little research and found Mine had been changed out once before, I believe our model year they came out of the factory with Thunderheart ignitions, through 2003. Mine had a Twin Tech 1005. At that web site I sent you has a troubleshooting chart on it and it tells you to check to see if the red light was flashing on the module while cranking the engine, and it wasn't. Then it said if the light wasn't coming on to check the white wire with black stripe, to see if it had 12v to it with the ignition key in the on position. I skinned the wire and checked it and it did. With those 2 conditions it said it was a bad module. Figuring I had a bad module, one of the guys here on the site-Mike, recommended applying some heat to the module which I did with a heat gun, not too much, after that it would only take but a mile or two before it really started acting up.
So I knew it had to be bad and I changed it out. It ran great for about a week then it had a different fault, now the new module was faulty. :bang:They sent me another and it has been running great since. I did change out the coil along with the module on their recommendation.:2thumbs: So all is good, for now anyways.

 

[03BigPit]

Morning Joe,
Trying to check my ignition module, but in typical Big Dog fashion - she has been starting up no problems -wth?
The ignition module light flickers as it should when cranking over and stays lit when engining running. I may just drop the carb bowl just to check if there is any crap in it.

 

[Gatlin5]

Hey Dave,

While you are at it, it wouldn't hurt to disconnect you gas line from your Carb and drain your fuel into a container. Then unscrew your petcock from the underside of the tank and check your filter. Once fuel is drained you could also check the inside of the tank with a flash light you'll be able to check the condition of the liner much easier.

When you are out test riding it again and if it still acts up have the allen wrench you need to remove the ignition cover and then check the ignition module light again see if its still giving you an OK reading.

BTW, go get some fresh hi octance fuel to put into the bike, then one more item on the check list can get checked off; bad fuel.

If nothing else you are narrowing it down, believe me I know how frustrating it is.

 

[03BigPit]

Hey Joe,
I dropped the carb bowl and there was a little sediment int it. Cleaned up and put back together. I drained the gas tank and pulled the petcock - a little sediment in the filter too (not too bad though). Tank liner looks good. I plan on cleaning out the inside of the tank a little more tomorrow. The was some thread tape on the tank nipple that the petcock screws in to. What kind of thread sealant do you recommend? Is it the same kind of white pipe thread for household plumbing fixtures?

 

[Little-Boo]

Take a heat Shrink Gun and apply heat to the Ignition Module before you start the Bike. Get it nice and hot as if the bike had been running. If it doesn't starts than its the module. If it starts apply more heat and see if it dies sooner than it did before. If it dies quicker you module could be the problem.

Carlos