03 Ultra Dies When Hot

[Apendejo]

FYI!!! There was a recall issue on the '03 Touring models when new. the main breaker would trip when the motor got hot, causing the bike to shut down. The fix was a replacement 50 amp breaker, covered by the MoCo. Did you bring this matter up with the dealership when having the 10k service done? Also, 10k miles on a 7 yr old bike? Did you just get this or don't ride much? Whats the story? AP

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[degregoriis]

my story is different : idle rpm's go down and then the engien dies. As if no gas was applied by the ECM. All the rest keeps on working: headlights, blinkers,...
I just need to OFF/ON the starter button, and it starts again. Sometimes it shuts down again at the next trafic lights. I just keep on revving with the trothle...to preventing it from stopping. Someone sugested to replace the Engine Temp Sensor, disconenct the battery leads, clamp them together overnight ( to drain all electricity in the electronic components ( condensators keep power ). Will keep posting untill my problem is solved.

I drive a RK 2001 with MM efi , 95 CI, SE203, true dual, PCIII, Open air filter,and have approx 40K miles on it, doing 93 HP and 135 TQ.
Visit www.harley-david-son.eu. It's is the RK with the taildragger and the maltese cross taillight, with a batwing from Mempjis Shades.

[Ultraandroadking]

Originally Posted by Apendejo

FYI!!! There was a recall issue on the '03 Touring models when new.
the main breaker would trip when the motor got hot, causing the bike to shut down. The fix was a replacement 50 amp breaker, covered by the MoCo. Did you bring this matter up with the dealership when having the 10k service done? Also, 10k miles on a 7 yr old bike? Did you just get this or don't ride much? Whats the story?
AP

Thanks for the info on the recall, greatly appreciated!

I did the 10K service myself, but I'll go in and see if this recall still shows against the bike.

The bike had 4,500 miles on it when I bought it a year ago. I've put 6,000 on now in just under a year. It was owned by NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine who didn't have much opportunity to ride it (his one main ride was the Petty cross-country ride).

[Ultraandroadking]

Originally Posted by degregoriis

my story is different : idle rpm's go down and then the engien dies. As if no gas was applied by the ECM. All the rest keeps on working: headlights, blinkers,...
I just need to OFF/ON the starter button, and it starts again. Sometimes it shuts down again at the next trafic lights. I just keep on revving with the trothle...to preventing it from stopping. Someone sugested to replace the Engine Temp Sensor, disconenct the battery leads, clamp them together overnight ( to drain all electricity in the electronic components ( condensators keep power ). Will keep posting untill my problem is solved.

I drive a RK 2001 with MM efi , 95 CI, SE203, true dual, PCIII, Open air filter,and have approx 40K miles on it, doing 93 HP and 135 TQ.
Visit www.harley-david-son.eu. It's is the RK with the taildragger and the maltese cross taillight, with a batwing from Mempjis Shades.

Your symptoms are very similar to mine. I would recommend replacing the engine temp sensor to see if it solves the problem. It's only a $37 part and takes a few minutes to change.

That's a great looking bike you've got!! Nice job!!

[Apendejo]

Another common problem with the '03 that will cause the dying at idle and other low speed driveability issues is pinholes in the intank fuel lines. You can check by looking and listening inside the tank as you turn the ignition switch on, if you hear any hissing , gurgling or squeeling sounds and or see fuel spray inside the tank then you have pinholes. This problem will not cause the ECM to throw a code.
AP

[tnharley7]

My '03 Ultra did the exact same thing during Bike Week 2004. Engine would just shut down, but lights, etc still worked. I took the bike to Daytona HD and the service writer just shook his head and said that I was the 5th one that week with the same problem. He told me that the fairing lowers were keeping too much heat and the front engine sensor was protecting the engine by shutting down. He told me to go back to the room and remove the lowers and the problem would go away. He was right. Since then, every May I remove the lowers and put them back on in October, unless going to Bike Week and I remove them for that also. The bike has never shut down anymore since then. To make it easier to remove I bought a set of quick disconnects for the lowers from Rivco and taking them off is a simple no-tool 5 minute task.

[Ultraandroadking]

I am calling the engine temp sensor the culprit. I replaced it and have sat in traffic on three occasions now with zero problems. Appreciate the other possible problems. Will refer back here if I have future problems.