Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post, channeling my inner seasoned-but-down-to-earth blogger persona.
Alright folks, so today I’m diving into something that had me scratching my head for a bit: Harley Davidson error codes. You know, those cryptic messages that pop up on your dash when your bike decides to throw a fit. I recently ran into a few while trying to fix my buddy’s ride, a 2015 Street Glide, and thought I’d share my experience.
First off, let me tell you, I ain’t no professional mechanic. I’m just a guy who likes to tinker in the garage, fueled by caffeine and the burning desire to avoid dealership prices. So, when my pal calls me up complaining about some weird code flashing, I figure, “Hey, how hard can it be?” Famous last words, right?
So, he limps the bike over, and the first thing I did was grab my trusty scan tool. I’ve got a basic one that reads OBD-II codes, which works on a lot of Harleys. Plugged it in, fired it up, and BAM! A whole list of codes staring me in the face. Talk about overwhelming.
Here’s what I pulled:
- P0107 – Manifold Absolute Pressure/BARO Sensor Low Input
- P0113 – Intake Air Temperature Sensor High Input
- P0300 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
Okay, so now what? Time to hit the internet. Started Googling each code, one by one. Found a bunch of forum threads with people having similar issues. Turns out, a lot of times, these codes can be related to something simple, like a loose connection or a dirty sensor.
First, I decided to tackle the MAP sensor (P0107). Found it, wiggled the connector, and gave it a shot of contact cleaner. No dice. Then, I checked the wiring for any obvious breaks or shorts. Everything looked okay, but you never know. Next up, the IAT sensor (P0113). Same thing – checked the connection, cleaned it, inspected the wiring. Still no luck.
Now, the P0300 code (misfire) was throwing me off. Misfires can be caused by a million different things: bad spark plugs, faulty ignition coil, vacuum leaks, you name it. Since the other two codes pointed to sensor issues, I decided to focus on those first, hoping they were somehow related to the misfire.
I was starting to get frustrated. I hate it when I can’t figure something out quickly. So, I did what any sane person would do: took a break, cracked open a cold one, and stared at the bike for a while. Sometimes, you just need to let things marinate in your brain.
After my little beer break, I had a thought: what if it’s not the sensors themselves, but something common to both? Then it hit me: the wiring harness! These bikes vibrate like crazy, and over time, wires can get brittle and break down. I started tracing the harness back from the sensors, looking for any signs of damage.
And there it was! Tucked away under the fuel tank, a section of the harness was rubbing against the frame, and the wires were exposed. Bingo! I carefully repaired the damaged wires, making sure to insulate them properly.
Cleared the codes, fired up the bike, and… purred like a kitten! All codes gone! Took it for a spin around the block, and it ran like a champ. My buddy was stoked. Said it ran better than it had in months.
Lessons Learned
- Don’t panic when you see error codes. Take a deep breath and tackle them one at a time.
- The internet is your friend. Use those forums!
- Check the simple stuff first: connections, wiring, etc.
- Don’t underestimate the power of a good wiring inspection.
- Sometimes, a cold beer is the best diagnostic tool you have.
So yeah, that was my Harley code adventure for the week. Hope this helps someone else out there wrestling with similar issues. Now, I’m off to enjoy a ride on my own bike… knock on wood, no codes!
