Stranded Dog

[Gatlin5]

IMHO:
The heat gun Idea is a good one and it worked for me. But for me personally, I just didn't want to do that to my ignition module until I exhauted all the other possibilities and everything pointed to the ignition module. The heat gun was my final confirmation and it worked great.

 

[BadBrad]

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?

There are different kinds of tephlon tape. Basic white is generally for water applications. There is one made specifically for fuel that has a yellow tint. Any car parts place will have it.

 

[Gatlin5]

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?

Hey Dave,

On mine it did not have any teflon tape on it and I put it right back on with out any and it was fine. If I had known better to ask I would have gone with what Brad is recommending, would make sense.

 

[2004BC]

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

Did you check your cam sensor? You can apply the same advice as above after you start the bike and heat up the cam sensor to see if it dies. Check it out just to rule it out then it makes the ign module all the more suspect. Good Luck?

 

[03BigPit]

Thanks Brad. I found the yellow teflon tape for gas. While I was putting the petcock back on, would you believe the gas line nipple freakin broke on it. Needles to say (and a few choice mother huckers), i walked away before doing something stupid - lol. I bought another petcock and installed. Bike fired up no leaks. Next task is to apply heat to the cam sensor and the ign module. Hopefully I wont burn anything up

 

[03BigPit]

Update: I tested the cam sensor and it was within spec (300 - 750 ohms). Thanks to jspeeddemon for posting how to test cam sensor. I put a hair dryer to the ignition module until it was hot to the touch and the bike shut down a minute or so later. I could also smell a "burning wire" kind of smell. The light is now not flickering when I try to restart and as expected no spark to the plugs as well. Unpluged the wire harness that goes back to the cam sensor and it is still sending the proper ohms.
I think I have narrowed it down to the ignition module.

 

[Gatlin5]

Sounds like you got it Dave.:2thumbs: Good Job, let us know how it runs after you change it out.

All the best!

 

[03BigPit]

Will do Joe. I ordered a new one (around $200) and its supposed to be here Monday/Tuesday

 

[BadBrad]

Damn, I think I have one laying around somewhere. It came with a used ECH a couple of years ago (pre wire plus days). Not sure of its quality but you would have been welcomed to it.

 

[03BigPit]

Thanks for the offer Brad, I appreciate it. I've been trying to figure out this electrical issue for about 2 weeks now. I was getting impatient, so when I narrowed it down to the ignition module I just wanted to get a new one to get it over with. This better fix my issue or I'm going to blow a gasket - lol !

 

[BadBrad]

Thanks for the offer Brad, I appreciate it. I've been trying to figure out this electrical issue for about 2 weeks now. I was getting impatient, so when I narrowed it down to the ignition module I just wanted to get a new one to get it over with. This better fix my issue or I'm going to blow a gasket - lol !

I may have a spare gasket too!

 

[DRBarnhart]

Thanks to jspeeddemon for posting how to test cam sensor.

I couldn't find that post... got a link?

Dennis

 

[03BigPit]

Hey Dennis,
I couldn't fiind the direct link but this is what the link stated to test the cam sensor:
1. Disconnect the cam sensor from the ignition module.
2. Take out your trusty multimeter and set it to the RX1 scale.
3. Now while touching the sensor backing plate with the negative meter lead touch the positive meter lead on each of the three wires of the sensor connector (red, black, & green). If you get continuity from the backing plate to any of them the sensor is bad.

If it passes the first test...
1. With your meter still at the same settings touch the positive meter lead to the green wire and the negative meter lead to the black wire. If you get an "open" it's good.
2. Then take the positive meter lead and touch the black sensor wire while touching the negative meter lead to the green wire. In this case an "open" is bad. A reading somewhere around 300 - 750 Kohms is what you're looking for.

 

[DRBarnhart]

Hey Dennis,
I couldn't fiind the direct link but this is what the link stated to test the cam sensor:
1. Disconnect the cam sensor from the ignition module.
2. Take out your trusty multimeter and set it to the RX1 scale.
3. Now while touching the sensor backing plate with the negative meter lead touch the positive meter lead on each of the three wires of the sensor connector (red, black, & green). If you get continuity from the backing plate to any of them the sensor is bad.

If it passes the first test...
1. With your meter still at the same settings touch the positive meter lead to the green wire and the negative meter lead to the black wire. If you get an "open" it's good.
2. Then take the positive meter lead and touch the black sensor wire while touching the negative meter lead to the green wire. In this case an "open" is bad. A reading somewhere around 300 - 750 Kohms is what you're looking for.

What you're quoting is MY answer to a post he made asking a question about his cam sensor wiring.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/help-wanted/21240-cam-sensor-replacement.html#post305115

Don't mean to sound like a whiny little douche here but it just happens to be a pet peeve of mine when the wrong person gets credit for another's work. Especially when the guy getting the cudos is, in reality, a member that came here, took what he needed, then left while I'm still here doing what I can to help get the Dogs running! :angry:

On the other hand, I'm glad it worked for you!

Dennis

 

[03BigPit]

Dennis - Thanks for the clarification. I do like to give credit where due. I was unaware this was your test description on testing cam sensor. jspeeddemon's post had a picture
tutorial of where the cam sensor is, how to take it out and your test description of how to test. When I found the link I printed it out, but if I can find it again I will forward it
Appreciate your help

 

[BadBrad]

What you're quoting is MY answer to a post he made asking a question about his cam sensor wiring.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/help-wanted/21240-cam-sensor-replacement.html#post305115

Don't mean to sound like a whiny little douche here but it just happens to be a pet peeve of mine when the wrong person gets credit for another's work. Especially when the guy getting the cudos is, in reality, a member that came here, took what he needed, then left while I'm still here doing what I can to help get the Dogs running! :angry:

On the other hand, I'm glad it worked for you!

Dennis

It's a damn good thing you didn't disagree with the test procedure, huh?

 

[03BigPit]

OK - here we go. I received the new ignition module. Installed in 5 minutes. Interesting thing now - when I turn the ignition key on the red light on the module is supposed to light up for about a second or so and go out. It doesn't. It stays on when the bike starts up though. I'm going for a test ride - keep your fingers crossed

 

[03BigPit]

Well the test ride sucked ass. I made it about 1 effin mile and it quit again. Same exact problem. Bike would turn over like a champ but wouldn't fire. $200 bucks down the drain. I pushed the bike home and not a happy camper right about now. I should have put a "free to a good home" sign on the bike and left it at the side of the road!
I need to calm my nerves before deciding what to do with it next.

 

[Gatlin5]

Hey Dave,

Don't get too discouraged, most likely your are troubleshooting multiple problems or maybe it is still the Ignition module. It sounds like the light on it wasn't responding properly from what you were expecting. You might call Thunderheart and run it by them. Also, there is a timing adjustment that normally needs to be made as you are setting it up.

The first ignition module I got as a replacement was bad and gave me a different sympton and I ran it by Crane and they swapped it out for me. It would shut down the Front cylinder at different points in the ride. They sent the new one two weeks ago and it has been running fantastic ever since.

With me, I had bad plug wires, the gas tank liner was peeling, the carb had junk it it, then I did an oil change and found the lines were backwards and the oil was being push through the filter in the wrong directions, they also had the oil lines to the tank reversed and the ignition module was heating up and dying. I was ready to sell the dam thing, I was so frustrated every time I saw a Motorcycle on the side of the road I would say, Must be a Big Dog. Now, for the moment and it running Fantastic no issues and I feel like it was worth it, I got the motorcycle where it needs to be mechanically and I got to know my motorcycle pretty well.

Hang in there you'll get there, you are doing great.

Best of luck

 

[03BigPit]

My patience and knowledge gave up. I just brought it to a professional shop to figure it out. Hopefully I won't get bent over too much