Hi guys hoping you can help me out with my problem, I will try to give as many details as possible so here goes - I bought the bike (my fourth Harley) 6 weeks ago off ebay, sight unseen, as a spares or repair project, selling due to engine noise. I was happy to take on the project after brief discussion with the previous owner, thought I would be looking at compensator sprocket issues. But from day one I have not been able to do any investigation of the engine noise because I cannot get the bike to run cleanly without misfiring, difficult to start, backfiring primarily from rear cylinder. Bike is a 1999 FXDWG with TC88 38k miles stage 1 tune with 190/45 combo on the carb. Previous owner had the bike for 14 years using the bike regularly with annual oil changes - generally the bike looks clean and honest. I am a reasonably fair home mechanic doing most of my own servicing over the years. Initially my thoughts were problems with the fuel system so I stripped the carb and had it ultrasound cleaned, I changed the fuel and spark plugs, checked the HT leads - made no difference but it did make me aware of the flashing check engine red light - I thought this was coming on as the bike was about to stall but read up in my Clymer manual and checked for fault codes - bike has 42 and 56 stored indicating Cam Position Sensor issues - no idea if codes were historic - symptoms of failed sensor could be misfire due to timing issue - stumped up the cash and bought new sensor - made no difference - aaaarrrgggh. But I was a bit more confident to actually take the bike out on the road as the misfire seemed to just be at low revs so I did two short rides. First time I could ride through the misfire and it was kind of ok at higher revs - still poor at tickover and rough at low revs. Second time I went to get some fuel. When I left the filling station, very briefly the bike ran perfectly then I think I was running with the fuel tap in the reserve position so I tried to switch it to ON but actually switched it off - bike quickly stopped - plonker. When I got it running again with fuel ON it seemed to be running much rougher and I really struggled to get home - check engine light staying on all the time. Since then I have been checking earth grounding, cleaning connectors including those for the ECM - I got hold of a new coil - basically now I can't get the bike to run at all - just spins over on the starter but won't fire. I have a good spark for both cylinders.
I was starting to go full circle and thinking of the fuelling again but if the check engine light is on that would mean ignition issues yes? I have rechecked fault codes, I still only have 42 and 56, if they are historic I understand they disappear once the bike has run 50 times?
I think I have covered everything, any advice gratefully accepted. Cheers

 

Would double check and be damn sure getting fuel if have good spark .. Then possibly the Ignition Module Itself .. Curious here as have a slight miss now and then, CPK ( Crank Sensor ) Ignition Module and Coil all been replaced with New Spark Plugs and Wires .. Having an 88 TC myself curious of what you find is the problem .. Mine Idles perfect and runs like a scalded ape at Full throttle but sometimes when just cruising slowly it will miss once in a blue moon ..