Index Harley Davidson Harley Davidson Dyna evolution 1991-1998. Service manual

Harley Davidson Dyna evolution 1991-1998. Service manual - page 3

Table 2

CHAPTER TWO
TROUBLESHOOTING
Every motorcycle engine requires an uninterrupted supply of fuel and air, proper ignition and adequate compression. If any of these are lacking, the engine will not run.

Diagnosing electrical and mechanical problems is simple if you use orderly procedures and keep a few basic principles in mind.

The troubleshooting procedures in this chapter analyze typical symptoms and show logical methods of isolating causes. These are not the only methods, but to save time and work more efficiently when troubleshooting a problem, follow a systematic approach.

Never assume anything or overlook obvious problem areas. If you are riding along and the bike suddenly quits, check the easiest, most accessible areas first. Is there gasoline in the tank? Has a spark plug wire broken or fallen off?

If nothing obvious turns up in a quick check, look a little farther. Learning to recognize and describe symptoms will help you or a mechanic to solve the problem fast. When working with a mechanic, describe problems accurately and fully. Saying that “it
won’t run” isn’t the same thing as saying “it quit at high speed and won’t start,” or that “it sat in my garage for 3 months and then wouldn’t start.”

Gather as many symptoms as possible to aid in diagnosis. Note whether the engine lost power gradually or all at once. Remember that the more complicated a machine is, the easier it is to troubleshoot because symptoms point to specific problems.

After defining the symptoms, test and analyze areas which could cause the problem. Guessing at the cause of a problem may eventually provide the solution, but it can easily lead to frustration, wasted time and a series of expensive, unnecessary parts replacements.

You do not need expensive equipment or complicated test gear to determine if you can fix the problem at home. A few simple checks could save a large repair bill and lost time while the bike sits in a dealer’s service department. On the other hand, do not attempt repairs beyond your abilities. Service departments tend to charge heavily for putting together a disassembled engine. Some won’t even take

d. The wiring harness is in good condition, with no worn or frayed insulation or loose harness sockets.

e. The fuel tank is filled with an adequate supply of fresh gasoline.

f. The spark plugs are in good condition and properly gapped.

g. The ignition system is correctly timed and adjusted.

Troubleshooting helps you isolate a malfunction to a certain component. If bench testing is required, remove the suspect component and test it further.

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