Well my trouble-free 2014 XL1200cp with 12,000+ miles is finally giving me trouble.


The throttle has acted-up a few times in the recent past but not enough for me to be alarmed. What it would do is upon starting [with engine already warm] rev up to 2800-3000 rpm before quickly settling down to an idle.


I realize it is normal for the engine, especially when cold, to rev up some [mine was usually around 1800 rpm] to a fast idle then gradually drop on down to 1000.


But this was different.


Anyway, today it finally got a mind of its own and is totally uncontrollable. It first happened when I was coming off the freeway to a stop. Pulling in the clutch to downshift let the engine begin revving on its own. Finally, as it was rapidly climbing past 4500 rpm [with the clutch in] I hit the kill switch.


BTW, the throttle cables and grip are "free". I.e. the throttle 'snaps shut' upon release.


I pondered the situation for a minute. I was 15 freeway miles from home. Started the engine again just to see what would happen. In neutral, the engine fired up and the rpm quickly rose past 4000 again. Hit the kill switch.


Decided to start it in gear [clutch in] and use the brakes and gear choice to control my speed. Made it home. Local Harley shop said to bring it in. It is still under warranty.


I guess why I'm posting this is to see if any of you Harley experts have a clue what might be happening.


Thanks in advance.

 

Probably a sensor. Is the check engine light on?

 

Does your bike have a tuner with a wire that connects to the throttle position sensor?
Had a very similiar situation happen. Turn out the Fuel Moto EFI throttle position sensor wire wasn't making a good connection. Pulled back a little insulation and reconnected the bayonet tap, and all is fine.

 

My bike is totally stock. I don't know what the "Fuel Moto" is but I was looking in the Sportster parts book and see that there is a "Throttle Position Sensor". I can check the wiring on it to see if it is plugged in properly.


The TPS sensor would seem like a logical place to start. I really don't want to take it to the dealer. Its not that I have a problem with the local dealer [I don't]. I just prefer to work on my stuff.


I'll call them tomorrow and see if they have the TPS in stock. If they do I'll buy it and replace mine. If that doesn't fix the problem then I may have to take it in.


And in response to another post, no I didn't notice any "check engine" light.

 

if it is still under warranty ,, hell let them find it ,, don't start throwing parts at it.

 

Check your IAC (Idle Air Controller). That would make it rev up when first started.

John

 

I'd take it to the Toyota dealer, they have experience with stuck throttles

 

Yea....but they don't know how to fix them.

 

This morning I installed a new TPS. The bike started normally and I thought I had solved the problem.


However, went for a test drive and once the engine got warmed-up the problem was still there.


Kept it in 3rd forcing the rpm to stay around 2600 as I nursed it home. Downshifted quickly as I approached the house and finally had to kill it and coast on in. With the clutch in the engine wants to wind right on up, not sure how high it might go, always killed it at around 4,000 rpm.


So unless some miracle solution is presented between now and Tuesday when the local HD dealer opens . . . in it goes.


Thanks for all the suggestions, even the funny ones!

 

Took my Sportster to the dealer on 5/4/15. They called a few days later and said that the ECM had failed and had ordered a new one from the factory.


Got a call today [5/16] that the bike was ready to pick up. Spoke with the mechanic and he said it was the first case of ECM failure he had seen in his time working on HD's. All work was covered by the warranty.


Went for a nice ride this afternoon. Bike ran like new. Happy again.