How does the ignition work on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

How does the ignition work on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

When current is sent to the ignition coil from the ignition module or E.C.M., the primary winding energizes and creates a strong magnetic field. The secondary winding increases the voltage as the magnetic field is created and sends a high energy spark to the spark plug.

Why is my spark plug not working on my Sportster?

A bad sensor will sometimes fail when heat is introduced and begin working again once it cools. If/when this occurs again, turn off your fuel valve right away to see how much gas is in your float bowl. Open your gas cap and listen for a possible vapor lock condition. Ground your spark plugs to check for spark.

What to do if your Harley Davidson has no spark?

Just installed 12″ bars and cam plate. Buttoned it all up and tried to start it. Motor turns over fine, however no spark. Pulled the plug wires, put another plug in wire and no spark. Took tank back off, no pinched wires. Tested B terminal of coil plug and getting 12 + Volts. Removed power commander, hook bike back to ecm, no spark.

Why is there no spark in my ignition?

An ignition module requires some type of external input in order to activate. If your vehicle stalls unexpectedly during operation and will not start again, it is likely because of loose or corroded electrical connections in the ignition module. In this case, check the switch, clean oxidized terminals, and replace broken wires if necessary.

When current is sent to the ignition coil from the ignition module or E.C.M., the primary winding energizes and creates a strong magnetic field. The secondary winding increases the voltage as the magnetic field is created and sends a high energy spark to the spark plug.

A bad sensor will sometimes fail when heat is introduced and begin working again once it cools. If/when this occurs again, turn off your fuel valve right away to see how much gas is in your float bowl. Open your gas cap and listen for a possible vapor lock condition. Ground your spark plugs to check for spark.

Just installed 12″ bars and cam plate. Buttoned it all up and tried to start it. Motor turns over fine, however no spark. Pulled the plug wires, put another plug in wire and no spark. Took tank back off, no pinched wires. Tested B terminal of coil plug and getting 12 + Volts. Removed power commander, hook bike back to ecm, no spark.

How to test the spark plugs on a Harley Davidson?

To test the spark plug wires: 1 Set your multimeter to read ohms. 2 Place your multimeter probes at each end of the spark plug wire. 3 Measure the spark plug wires resistance level. A normal reading can be between 1 and 20,000 ohms. The reading “OL” stands for open lead and indicates the wire is bad.

What to look for in a 1998 Sportster?

Though the chassis is the same as those used in the first (1996-1997) of the 1200S models, you can immediately identify a ’98 Sport because of its two-spark-plugs-per-cylinder heads and the unique finishes chosen for the engine. The gray spark leads of the dual-plug system are just the tip of the ignition system iceberg.

What kind of spark plugs does a 1998 Sportster have?

44) Though the chassis is the same as those used in the first (1996-1997) of the 1200S models, you can immediately identify a ’98 Sport because of its two-spark-plugs-per-cylinder heads and the unique finishes chosen for the engine. The gray spark leads of the dual-plug system are just the tip of the ignition system iceberg.

How to remove Sportster from screamin’eagle ignition module?

First, Craig lifted the Sportster and disconnected the battery cables. To remove the outer cover, Craig used a 1/8-inch drill to take out the rivets. Then he needed a small screwdriver to knock off the remaining collars. Even with care, the outer cover often gets scratched, so (like Craig) you might want to pick up a new cover.

How to check the charging system on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

To check your charging system: Start the engine and record the battery voltage on your multimeter. The voltage should be near 14 volts. Raise the engine RPM’s to 2,000 and turn on all your Sportster’s electrical accessories, such as lights, radio, etc.

How many amps does a Harley Davidson Sportster have?

Place the amp clamp around the large positive wire between the starter and battery. Face the amp clamp with the arrow on the clamp facing towards the starter (direction of current flow). Start the engine and record the reading. A normal reading is between 140 to 180 amps.

How to find a short on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

Another test to locate a short is by using a compass. Run a compass along the affected circuits wiring and watch for fluctuations in the needle. When a fluctuation is noticed, you may have found the shorts location. This works best with larger parasitic draws.

How to check for parasitic draw on Harley Davidson Sportster?

You may notice this as a headlight that remains dimly lit even with the switch off. To check for a parasitic draw: Turn the ignition off. Remove the positive battery cable. Set your meter to read amps. Connect your multimeter in series (one probe on the battery positive terminal, the other on the positive wire) and record the reading.

What does it take to start a Harley Davidson Sportster?

This article applies to the Harley Davidson Sportster. What does it take to start a Sportster? When you turn the ignition switch to the on position, current is sent to the start button. Pressing the button sends power to the starter solenoid, which sends a large amount of current from the battery to the starter to turn the motor.

How can you tell if a Harley Davidson starter is working?

In addition to the starter current draw test, you can measure the voltage at the wire connected to the starter solenoid from the ignition switch. With the ignition in the on/run position and the button pressed, 12 volts should be present at this wire. This test will also tell you if the ignition switch is working.

Where is the starter on a Harley Davidson 883 Sportster?

Connect your red probe to the solenoid positive wire. This is a fat 12 or 14 gauge wire on the cylindrical portion of the starter. Connect the black probe to a known good ground. 12v should be present in this wire at all times. Figure 3. The starter location on a 883 Sportster.

Where do you start on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

Always start at the fuse box when your Sportster experiences an electrical problem. This article applies to the Harley Davidson Sportster (2000-2015). Fuses, relays, and circuits breakers: they’re all circuit protection devices that can be found inside your Sportster’s fuse box, depending on its year.

What happens to the fuse on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

When a wire finds a path to ground that’s bypassing the device it’s powering, a shorter circuit is made. This generates heat and melts the metal strip inside the fuse. Without the right fuse (amp rating on top of the fuse), a fire can occur.

What are relays on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

Figure 2. Testing a fuse with a multimeter. Relays are another type of circuit protection device. They use an internal magnetic switch to allow a smaller current to control a larger one. Looking at Figure 3, you can see connections 85 and 86 complete the circuit from the switch ground to the switch.

What is the data link connector on a Sportster?

The data link connector is the dealers gateway into the Sportster computer system. This connector pairs with a scan tool to read trouble codes, view live data, and program modules. Many aftermarket scan tools and performance tuners use this connector as well.