Okay, I give... PLEASE HELP!!!

[PitbullKC]

Okay guys & gals, I have done everything I can think of and still can't get her runnin'.

Here's a my bike specs and info:
2003 BigDog Pitbull
S&S 107"
S&S Super-G (shorty) Carb
EHC: BD4030-1B
Thunderheart Ignition module (B503)
Thunderheart Cam Sensor (Trigger Plate)
Starter Relay Module (BD4121-D '0733')
Ignition Coil: Dyna 0703-5

And the PROBLEMS:
Got a couple blocks away from the house and my bike suddenly died as if it were starving for fuel. Had a hard time starting it back up, but got it started and hauled back to the house.
Sometimes it will fire right back up. But usually just dies again.
This may be a whole other issue...But when initially cracking the throttle open it will stumble and most the time die.
If I slowly open the throttle (the first 1/4inch turn) I can quickly open it up the rest of the way with no problem.
I have taken it around the block a few times while trying to diagnose the problem.
When it is running, it idles fine.
I've done all the carb setup/tuning with the acc pump, fuel mixture, etc.
But it always ends up dying on me like its running out of gas.
Also, just recently while trying to check electrical stuff, the headlight started to flicker as I wiggled the EHC.
I hadn't lost any electrical/power (signals/lights/etc) when the bike died prior to this. So I was trying to stay optimistic that my EHC isn't failing.
With all that said.....

What I've checked (trouble-shooted):
ELECTRICAL
Tested with multimeter:
Ignition switch(key)
Ignition coil (*UPDATE:Replaced coil)
Ignition module (*UPDATE:Tested "good" by Thunderheart)
Starter Relay Module BD4131-D '0733'
Cam Sensor (*UPDATE:Replaced)
I replaced the battery with a Braille.
Replaced Spark plugs and tested for spark (good spark)

FUEL/AIR
Drained fuel tank.
Checked fuel tank-liner.
Checked Gas Cap for venting
Pulled off and inspected hose that connects split tanks
Pulled and inspected petcock
Checked for any air/vacuum leaks.

CARB
Pulled off my carb, inspected it, cleaned it, inspected it again.
Checked:
float
diaphram
accelerator pump
jets
aux bowl vent plug
main jet air bleed


I followed the "No Spark Troubleshooting Tree" as well. http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/11514-no-spark-troubleshooting-tree.html#post359195

By the way...It may sound like I know what I'm talking about and I am mechanically inclined....
I assure you, I AM NOT!
And have only been able to do what I have by looking at all the awesome info that you all have shared!!!
So thank you for everyone who has helped me, even though you don't know you helped me!

I would GREATLY appreciate anyone's advice they can give me!
Thank you in advance.
God bless,
Jeremy

 

[mark whitrock]

Sounds like a stuck float.

 

[PitbullKC]

Just got a call from (Larry) at ThunderHeart.
Everything tested good with my ignition module & cam sensor/trigger.
He said they tested it hot & cold & worked fine, never failed.
Although he did smell the cam sensor/trigger burning???
And said potting & encapsuling(?) is cracked.

I checked the float & it seems to be working fine.
Of course, it still could be the problem.

 

[C.A. Jones]

If you can get it to Wichita, we can take care of it
Doug 316-371-3980
Will 316-390-5161

 

[PitbullKC]

If you can get it to Wichita, we can take care of it
Doug 316-371-3980
Will 316-390-5161

I'll see what I can do as far as getting it down their.
A good friend of mine from Wellington, Steve Kemp, just gave me Will's number the other day too. Just haven't had a chance to call him.

I'll definitely be giving one of you guys a call soon.
Thanks bro
Jeremy

 

[Moespeeds]

When it dies, do you have spark? Sounds to me like a carb issue, but not sure about the stuck float, that would be much more intermittent. Pull your intermediate jet and make sure it's clear. Also remove the fuel/air ratio knob and check the needle for any damage. Just for shits and giggles turn off the accelerator pump and see if it gets better or worse.

 

[PitbullKC]

I pulled the jets (they were clear) & cleaned the whole carb.
I will pull & check the fuel/air knob when I get home.
I haven't checked the plugs for a spark after its died because I thought it might damage the plugs (& it was too hot).
Accelerator pump didn't change anything other than what it usually does.

 

[Nukeranger]

Are you sure that you are not pulling a vacuum on the gas tank. Also, I would have replace the jets while you had them out.


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[PitbullKC]

Are you sure that you are not pulling a vacuum on the gas tank. Also, I would have replace the jets while you had them out.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Nuke-By "not pulling a vacuum on the gas tank", do you mean the gas cap not venting?
If so, I checked the cap and its venting fine.
Or did you mean something els?

As far as the jets, you are right. I should just replace them. I've taken the carb off so many times lately while troubleshooting (its off now) , I figured I would eventually get to the jets. They were clean when I pulled them, so I just put them back in and moved on for now.

 

[BadBrad]

Jeremy, do you have this same issue while the bike is sitting still in neutral? In other words, when you crank on the throttle, does it hesitate? If so, it sure sounds like your accellerator pump is not adjusted properly. I can't remember all the details, but S&S has a procedure for making that adjustment and if you turn it out more than X? number of turns, you need to re-jet. Can't remember shit anymore, but read for yourself and make sure you have it properly adjusted.

 

[PitbullKC]

Jeremy, do you have this same issue while the bike is sitting still in neutral? In other words, when you crank on the throttle, does it hesitate? If so, it sure sounds like your accellerator pump is not adjusted properly. I can't remember all the details, but S&S has a procedure for making that adjustment and if you turn it out more than X? number of turns, you need to re-jet. Can't remember shit anymore, but read for yourself and make sure you have it properly adjusted.

It does it in neutral too.
But after it hesitates/stumbles, it revs just fine the rest of the way.
I did go to the S&S website and followed the "carb quick guide" to adjust the accellerator pump. I can tell that it is adjusting it, but still has the initial hesitation (sometimes killing it).

I kind of remember S&S saying something about having to re-jet it if you have to turn it more than so many turns too.
I'll check it out, I think I only turned it out like 2 1/4 turns, which was normal if I remember.
Also, I had no problem with it or its performance all last year.
Is it normal to all of a sudden have to re-jet it?
I could see if I changed altitudes or something.

 

[firedog19]

I am not sure about the makeup of the accelerator pump on an S&S but some types are a diaphram or rubber cup and if it has developed a hole or is not sealing the the gas is not being pumped into the carb. I may be all wet but with our temps here it feels good.

 

[PitbullKC]

I am not sure about the makeup of the accelerator pump on an S&S but some types are a diaphram or rubber cup and if it has developed a hole or is not sealing the the gas is not being pumped into the carb. I may be all wet but with our temps here it feels good.

Funny you say that, I just thought of that too and opened the carb back up. When I went through the carb the first time I checked it, but not very thoroughly. So yesterday I pulled the bowl off again and checked it.
I didn't find any holes or anything else wrong. But I was able to mess with the accelerator pump screw with the air cleaner off and could see exactly how much fuel was being pumped out, and how fast. That acc screw is sensitive and finniky! Also, I adjusted the throttle cables (at the handgrip) and that affected it quite a bit too.
But, my ignition module and cam sensor is still at Thunderheart so I can't fire it up. So while its all apart, I figured I mind as well change the oil and keep troubleshooting the electrical.

And man, you are right... It has been HOT lately!!
I did see its supposed to drop to the low 90's next monday. But today...101, and tomorrow...104!! :angry:

Give me a shout sometime or come on by.
Would love to meet you and hang out.
913-579-1011
658 E Skylark St
(Basically Moonlight and 167th St area)

 

[Jgie]

Need help too

I have a 2008 Pitbull, it does the same thing dies like it has no fuel. It did start idled fine then when i went to ride it died, several times. It now doesn't start at all. It started idled ok but when I would give it some gas it died n it would start up again and die when I turn throttle. Help please

 

[stlmikie]

I thought this thing was bad?

Just got a call from (Larry) at ThunderHeart.
Everything tested good with my ignition module & cam sensor/trigger.
He said they tested it hot & cold & worked fine, never failed.
Although he did smell the cam sensor/trigger burning???
And said potting & encapsuling(?) is cracked.

I checked the float & it seems to be working fine.
Of course, it still could be the problem.

 

[PitbullKC]

stlmikie: It is bad.
I just haven't updated my post yet.
That post you are referring to is on 7/2/12, which was a voicemail I got from Larry at Thunderheart.

Update:
7/3 I called him back & he said "although I never could get it to fail, doesn't mean its still not the problem. I can only get it so hot. It may get hotter when running on your bike and cause failure."

I went ahead and ordered a new cam sensor/trigger plate from them.
7/6 I got them back and installed the new cam sensor and old ign module.
Sure enough, same problem.
Conclusion:
new cam sensor = good
old ign module = bad

That's why I contacted you just a few days later.

I thought this thing was bad?

 

[410strokerss]

had similar problems as described and turned out to be the ignition so i did away with thunderheart all together and been running a under the cover ultima adjustable unit...works great and runs much better than it ever did with thunderhearts unit

 

[410strokerss]

had similar problems as described and turned out to be the ignition so i did away with thunderheart all together and been running a under the cover ultima adjustable unit...works great and runs much better than it ever did with thunderhearts unit

to clarify my ignition module was bad....

 

[PitbullKC]

Well, I replaced the cam sensor (trigger plate), ignition module, & ignition coil.
But it STILL will not stay running longer than 5 minutes!:angry:
And usually will not fire back up, but turns over fine.
Lost riding the entire summer & fall.:bang::bang::bang:

 

[KaptinAmerika]

So try this
Run the bike until it dies.
When it dies turn the Key off and back on again
Pull a plug, or use a spark tool if you have one, turn motor over and check for spark.
No spark then you have an electrical issue.
If you have spark put the plug back in and try starting again.
If she won't start then you know its a fuel delivery issue and you can stop wasting time on the electrical
Once you know which one it is then you can move in that direction