I've had three "fixes" to the high idle problem where they reflashed the ECM to correct and it's started again. My shut-down procedure is let bike idle down to 1,000 RPM with hand off the throttle, hit the kill switch, turn of the ignition. Am I still doing something wrong to cause this?

 

I doubt YOU are causing it to happen. What make/model/year of bike do you have? I know on my 01 RKC, it idles a bit high when hot. There's a known issue with a heat sensor with this model year; not one of HD's best EFI configurations, being that it was one of the first iterations. So unless I change out my EFI setup, I'll always have this issue from time to time. Not a big deal for me.

With that said - most bikes should NOT have high idle issues. A good "tuner" can put your bike up on a dyno and tune in your ECM to a pretty good spot so it runs consistent at all ranges/temps. Has that been done? Or have they just tried different mappings?

 

They don't have to flash the ECM to correct it, if a dealer told you that they are yanking your chain.

Its a known issue and the corrective steps are in the manual..I'll have to go look for them again.

I've had it happen a few times and even did it on purpose so I would understand how to correct it.

First - I always shut of the ignition switch. from what I read this prevents the ECM from taking a reading of the RPM on the throttle position sensors..if it doesn't read the high idle it can't remember it.

to correct the high idle.
ignition switch off
flip kill switch to run position
turn ignition on, wait 5 seconds or until check engine light goes out
do not start bike
turn ignition off, wait 5 seconds
repeat 5 times

fixed in less than a minute, until next time

 

I have had a little trouble with this also. I have heard that if you turn the bike off with the ignition, instead of the kill switch that you will not have the issue. I have been trying this for the past week or so, and have not had any troubles with high idle yet.

 

Had the same problem with my 08' FLHX. Got so bad would have to reset two or three times a week. I noticed when I was stopped I would hold the bike with the front brake and my palm would roll the throttle foward just a bit. Made a concious effort to keep my palm of the throttle at stops, and guess what? Haven't had to reset in months. I dont know if the ecm was sensing that roll off position as idle or what but it worked for me.