Why Wont It Run??? No Start Diagnostics - Harley - Kevin Baxter - Baxters Garage

Lets find out why this 2001 Harley Road King wont start!

[@frankG451]

Awesome technical skills! 👍 interesting to watch your videos. Thanks!

[@normdeclercq4052]

Great video thank you very informative

[@dannpd1955]

Unbelievable deductions. I would have never figured all that out I learned alot.

[@T-R3kz]

Very informative thread. Thanks

[@randyallen2771]

Fascinating Kevin! Thanks.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you.

[@Cwra1smith]

Nice one!

[@samchisolm8713]

Well done.

[@KevinBaxter]

thank you!

[@jamzholm]

Great info!!!

[@joshcooper86]

That was awesome. Some great things learnt from this video mate.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks

[@thedieselpig4448]

Clear as a bell now. That was a Great Video.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you sir

[@dennisberg570]

Wow , very well done and articulated clearly , Thanks .

[@knucklefist8535]

Great video. Thanks!

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you!

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Please dont feel pressured to make a video a week , your videos are worth waiting for because of the quality Mr. Baxter . Thank you .

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks sir. Appreciate it. Will do my best!

[@mweeks2000]

Agree 100%. Were you a high school teacher. You explain everything perfectly with a voice that's easy to listen to. Thank you Mr. Baxtee.

[@asamzafar8598]

Very informative video, thank you

[@KevinBaxter]

Youre welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@frankavellino6659]

Well done sir thank you

[@KevinBaxter]

Youre welcome Frank. Thanks for watching.

[@timdavis8154]

Nice job.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@danfritz9632]

Great video

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks Dan. Glad to have ya.

[@donwest6148]

I have searched and search this video I have the same exact problem with my 2001 Electra Glide you are the man thank you so much

[@sidneysnottley6414]

Great lesson... Cheers.

[@KevinBaxter]

thanks. Cheers!

[@gregkistner1955]

Nice job! Thankyou for this video!

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you too!

[@geoffluck]

Fascinating!

[@KevinBaxter]

I enjoy the problem solving aspects. Thanks!

[@dorothytipton1974]

Awesome info brother

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you like! Thanks!

[@tommygreer9921]

Thanks that was extremely useful apritiate your knowlage

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks Tommy!

[@jimbolen3599]

Thank you for the information

[@KevinBaxter]

Youre welcome!

[@rebel_ltz]

Really interesting video to watch!

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@danbarrette9888]

Remarkable thank you

[@KevinBaxter]

Appreciate it Dan! Thanks!

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

great video Kevin 🤘⚡🤘✨✨

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you so much!

[@patrickjoy9551]

Man I wish your shop was in my neck of the woods. It refreshing to see a guy that not only knows what they are doing but actually has a passion for it. Much respect for a business owner/operator that treats his costumers bikes like they were his own. Well done Mr. Baxter and thank you for sharing your hard earned knowledge.

[@user-qw3zt9vl4n]

✌👊 NICE!!! Thank you sir.

[@KevinBaxter]

thank you

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Great video. Found a lot of problems can be solved with voltage gauge and checking grounds. But the frame is the ground. Have you ever checked? A car or truck all have engine ground for a reason. Engine mounts don't always ground out the engine. I ran a ground wire to starter and it fix starter lag. Plus it really seems to start and run better. And if engine is not grounded where does the current go? This is even more important with frames that use the engine as structural member like Buell, Pan Am, and Sportster S.

[@robertrich5774]

Bad Ass!!! Great video!!!!

[@KevinBaxter]

thank you sir!

[@steventanner864]

Great work as always

[@yruphuct2]

That was a great video. I really understood what you were saying. Had no idea It takes all that to run. I really learned something new. Thanks 👍

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yruphuct2]

Very much so. I been watchin a lot of the twin cam videos. Gotta 2012 blackline with a stage 1, 103b. Planning on going stage 2. Basic riding, nothing to hard. Just want reliable and get out of the way power. Great videos.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Great info 👍🏍️

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks! 👍

[@glennbrandl6877]

Awesome videos Thank you 🇺🇲💯

[@tonyriehle6657]

Sometimes I like my points, condenser, flyweight advanced, kick only, carbureted shovelhead with the hot wire on the coil being held there with an alligator clip.

[@davidsartin5708]

Cool, thank you.

[@kevincooper2619]

Awesome

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks!

[@mickc4633]

Thank you

[@KevinBaxter]

Youre welcome

[@benbeedle9992]

good job

[@robertsmall6076]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@raymondwilliams5661]

I will stick to my 93 f.x.r thanks 😊

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you sir!

[@victorgonza4528]

Nice 5 volt reference at crank sensor

[@KevinBaxter]

With the working ecm...yes!

[@austinap2248]

I had a friend years ago who was a great mechanic and a very passable electrician. He said he would rather deal with a mechanical problem than electrical. He Said the thing about electrical work is you may replace a part and it may run for awhile but then it fails and you realize the part you replace was just a symptom of a larger problem. Kind of like replacing a dead battery only to find the new battery is fried a few weeks later because the voltage regulator was shot.

[@KevinBaxter]

exactly. thank you sir!

[@Tryke_Ryder]

Marvelous step by step diagnostic procedure!! As a technician in the railroad industry, I can appreciate your directed process! Throwing parts at a problem is easy, unless you are the one paying for it!!!

[@KevinBaxter]

I always like to know the why.... parts are expensive!

[@markchizmadia2004]

Great detective diagnostic work Kevin. Takes tons of knowledge and patience to do this and you most definitely possess both of these traits! Not many would have viedoed this. You made it understandable and interesting. Thank you.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks 👍 Appreciate you

[@regnar19881]

Outstanding explanation / demonstration.

[@chriss7031]

Scopes on a Harley. I have a 4 channel Micsig I use for equipment diagnostics. I definitely want to scop my bike to get known good captures of the signals on my 23 ST SG. Nobody is doing this that so know of but it’s common practice in the automotive world. I’m interested in synching up the crank notch to MAP readings while idling for tuning purposes.

[@donaldduck2801]

Say hello to dad Baxter 😊

[@thomastrevino7734]

Thank you. I’ve have a bike that I’m working on that had all these same symptoms. I told the customer that it was the ecm and they insisted to change every else but the ecm. After sending them this video they agreed to tru it and bingo it fired up. I felt like you made this video just for me

[@hotdotdog]

Kevin this was awesome. It addressed content that to my knowledge has never been broached.

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you sir. Glad you found it useful.

[@stevemitchell7475]

That's why I carb converted my 2000 Magneti Marelli Ultra.

[@dalewilker6126]

Excellent description and demonstration! Now to change the ECM and get the proper tune re-loaded for that engine combo....

[@KevinBaxter]

Yes Sir!

[@ChasCrewChief]

Well done👍. Many shops and tech would have thrown new parts at this problem hoping to find the answer. Thanks for showing it is a step by step problem solving process that takes time and understanding.

[@KevinBaxter]

At first it seemed to be crank sensor. 1 extra step said otherwise. Thanks!

[@richedmundson8964]

Great video. Knowing how to properly troubleshoot shows the difference between a great shop and an average shop.

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad to help. Thank you

[@capecodbiker9902]

Great explanation on that I’m in the automotive world and diagnostic is half the battle I’ve spent days on trying find one bad ground

[@KevinBaxter]

Intermittent drivability issues are the worsr!

[@michaeladams2644]

Sooo technical! Give me a simple machine any day 😂

[@eric_fxbb74]

Big fan of the diag videos! Very informative and perfect explanations. Thanks for sharing!

[@KevinBaxter]

Great! Thank you Eric!! Appreciate it!

[@keithparr8880]

Thanks Kevin, Very interesting and informative video, great content!

[@jagjr6772]

Amazing knowledge you have. This is why paying a professional is worth it.

[@KevinBaxter]

In any field sir, i agree!

[@wtf0101]

Now that's troubleshooting at its best 👌 great video sir

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks DJ! All the best!

[@andrelouro88]

This is my type of shows!!! Keep with the good work! Thanks again for the that slice of wisdom 💪

[@KevinBaxter]

Youre welcome Dirt. Thanks!

[@fredflint1797]

Absolutely the best explanation of the best range of content!

[@KevinBaxter]

Wow thanks Fred! Appreciate it!

[@kerrylewis2581]

Please do more of these diag videos. This was fascinating to watch.

[@KevinBaxter]

Will do my friend!

[@hitekredneck109]

You also need to disconnect everything on the 5 volt circuit in order to discount any shorted components. If you see 5 volts with all sensors disconnected, either test each sensor or connect them one at a time until you see the voltage drop. Of course this is after verifying grounds etc. If you still see under 5 volts then the ecm is cooked. I run into these issues often.....it usually takes about 2 hours to diagnose and without an oscilliscope...just using a plain ole dvm.

[@fogit4668]

I had a #4 pin die on a Daytona TwinTec ECM. Unit lasted about 4 years. Put my stock ECM back in and bought a MasterTune. Been running great ever since. Well that is until my 18 year old sensors started to die. LOL

[@grantodaniel7053]

And THAT is why I don't cringe at "exorbitant" labour costs... I have a pretty clear idea of the mechanical concepts involved in a combustion engine - but not a clue as far as the electronics aspects and diagnostics are concerned. Thanks for another fantastic video Kevin! I always find your explanations so full of detail, and yet still very simple and clear. You would have made a fantastic teacher! I've learned so much from your channel and I want to thank you for that. Cheers, from South Australia. 👍🇦🇺👍🇦🇺

[@KevinBaxter]

Im with ya Grant! Thanks!

[@DevilDog59]

Now that’s what I like to see true diag on an issue that does not throw a code. Love these gear head troubleshooting issues as they can relate to all of us at some time in our troubleshooting.

[@KevinBaxter]

Theres more to modern stuff for sure. Same concepts, but more parts. Thank you!

[@terryfrank7421]

Hi Kevin I've never owned a Harley davidson until I turned 60 odd. I welcome your videos so much thankyou Terry from Australia

[@KevinBaxter]

Cheers Terry! Glad to have you!

[@Savannahjbo]

my brain nearly melted when you said, it wld not crank off starting fluid even w spark.. too many carbs in my life to immediately catch the FI system needs all that communication to 'time' it just right too ... great vid ty sir

[@KevinBaxter]

Yes sir. Not much different than spinning a distributor 180 out. Timing is everything.

[@johnb2802]

I’m an electrical engineer and it warms my heart to see you use an oscilloscope. Most motorcycle mechanics have no idea what that is or how beneficial it can be. Good job.

[@joeforeman2804]

i'd like to see the "bad" sensor waveform. Great diagnostics video. So many techs (and people in general) think "read a code, swap a part". A code, or in this case lack of code, is merely a piece of diagnostics. thanks for sharing.

[@KevinBaxter]

In this case it wasnt bad. If it were, the pulses would be flat, intermittent, or none.

[@jerryspencer5453]

Technology is great when it works. That is why I'll never have a new bike. Too much technology, too much to go wrong. Kev, thanks for being there for us when things go wrong. With me, it's got to be, keep it simple stupid.

[@KevinBaxter]

Pros and cons Jerry for sure! Love me some points and carbs too! Thanks!

[@TheFryetube]

Loved this video…I worked avionics on military aircraft for 42 years. Looks like a great deal of the technology marbles have entered the civilian market. Great in-depth explanation!

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you sir!

[@Heart_filled_bot]

Excellent video, and thank you for sharing your expertise with us!.. Great information!!

[@KevinBaxter]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@haydenspence6952]

Awsum video

[@btominthewind]

Way-to-go, you're a great teacher

[@KevinBaxter]

Appreciate it Wayne. Thanks for watching!

[@king0dasouf]

Your ability to articulate a concept is immense.

[@paulbuckberry7683]

Great video Kev, you explained that really well………….every day is a school day.

[@KevinBaxter]

thank you sir!

[@shameless6963]

Love videos like this where you can actually learn from it.

[@KevinBaxter]

Appreciate that. All the best

[@janyoung1633]

Very concise! Thanks a bunch! Never too late in life to learn something new. Keep up the great and helpful videos!

[@KevinBaxter]

thank you!

[@vinniebagodonuts9391]

You Sir are an absolute engine genius. Hats off to you. Can't wait to get my bike in with you for my build. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@NormalSoMDStuff]

Another great video Kevin ! Keep up the good work !

[@KevinBaxter]

Thank you Rob!

[@62himself]

I love how you drill down all the way on this one. I’ve gotten to the point where I know “x” is bad but this is actually proving I!!

[@Goldencountry63]

Just spoke with Jason a few minutes ago about a rebuild on my 95 EVO and wanted to say you are fortunate to have him with you...

[@tracyhardin4542]

they did my 95 evo fatboy i will say that you will NOT be disapointed in the work ,mine runs great and is very dependable

[@KevinBaxter]

I couldnt agree more! Thank you so much!

[@qwaszxpolkmncvb]

I can't recall how many Evo bikes I've seen stranded with 6VDC going to the ignition coil. I learned a simple fix from a longtime MMI instructor that's gotten people up and running in a snap. Supply power directly to the coil from the battery. I'm curious if someone was stranded and they managed to jump 5VDC to the CKP if it would've fired up. Hat's off by the way for demonstrating a oscilloscope.

[@Rif_Leman]

This is a very well produced video and much respect for Kevin's knowledge and skills.

[@wjb111]

Every video you post is very detailed and informative! Great channel!!

[@KevinBaxter]

I appreciate that! Thank you sir!

[@joeabbott7839]

Give me the good old days with points coil much simpler

[@royalelee7513]

Thanks for another great video Kevin. Interesting to watch you work your way down the diagnostic path and arrive at a correct conclusion. I hope I have similar success diagnosing the starting system on my '85 FXRP. Battery tests out good, but the motor won't turn over fast enough to start it. Will be using diagnostic procedures from the service manual. NOT gonna throw parts at it yet!! Don't fret if you don't do a video every week. It's not like you don't have anything else that needs doing.

[@thatkajunguy8029]

Excellent content, troubleshooting is my favorite. I had it being a timing issue while listening to you eliminate the choices...👍

[@KevinBaxter]

Well, to some degree you are right, it was! ECM sees 7000 rpm....so it pushes timing to full advance accordingly. Good catch!

[@briana325]

Great video! I would love to see more diagnostic videos just like this!

[@KevinBaxter]

More coming! Thanks!

[@leemanson5295]

I really want to have this video playing for all of my customers to see when they ask why it cost so much for diagnostic repairs. Videos like this help breakdown all that’s involved with doing proper diag, and not just throwing miscellaneous parts at a bike, hoping to get lucky and find the problem.

[@KevinBaxter]

we play topic videos here all the time when we know a customer is coming in having similar work done. this is one of the reasons i post videos...to let people see whats going on. many have said "pulling back the curtain".

[@randysiler7458]

Great video! Thank you 👍👍

[@ivancounsell4077]

Good video, but H-D have lost there way. My Shovel has a set of points, a condensor and a coil, items you can carry in your pocket.

[@danielnichols9049]

As usual very informative! Great content! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I recently had a no start issue with the 98 Heritage I bought. Didn’t know where to start. Turned out to be ignition switch.

[@KevinBaxter]

Intermittent issues can be quite a challenge as well. Thanks!

[@82donut]

Ibeen working on a 13' rg"s" diagnosed bad ecm for same problem(no codes) held throttle forward and bam it started. Had to do that on few test rides finally it was back to normal. 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️. Bike battery did die completely before..

[@kjetillien4677]

Thank you very much for sharing. Learning a lot !

[@KevinBaxter]

Thanks for the support sir!

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

This reminds me of a friend's bike 2007 Softail it had been in a fire and him and I the neighbor went through it it looked more worse than it was. Engine was good and and tranny course we put new tires new sheet metal new fuel pump the wiring was only damaged in front of the gas tank but between there and the triple tree. It ran fine for 2 years then suddenly it would not take throttle it would start it would idle but that's all when you give it gas it would die it had a coat of crank position sensor we replaced that. Ran good for two weeks then it had a code of map sensor and throttle position sensor which we changed. No effect at that point the codes would not clear. Also at that point it was taken to two Harley-Davidson dealers they said they would rather work on it in the winter time. And offered to sell him a new bike. Well I did what I could I made sure that the wiring was good from point a to point b where it plugs into the computer and all the way to the sensor whether it be the ground wire the reference wire or the 12 volt wire coming from the 12 volts at the computer I even replaced temporarily some of the wiring thinking I had missed something. Then well the dealers one of them suggested those were not Harley components the map sensor and throttle position unfortunately those items were on backorder at the dealer we replace them with ones that we had found on eBay. I even replace the computer with a used one and married it to the rest of the bike there was no change. In the end I put a carburetor on it I put a standalone computer that gets it signal from the crank position sensor they were used on Big dog motorcycles and it runs quite well. I put a CV carburetor on it which I know and I jetted it big I mainly work with the evolution motors in 80 cubic inch so I got as much information on the internet as I could and he said it runs much better than when it was running on fuel injection and he's quite happy but still I wonder what I missed hd sensors ? Don't know Oh and I also put a used wiring harness on the bike .. one thing is I was checking in finding things out as I go I think I'm correct as the computer has its own 12 v where the bike has 12 v . The computer has its own ground also between sensors not connected with general ground .. I read someplace that there had been a problem in 07 with the wiring harnesses. True or false I don't know but I did read it on the internet....

[@KevinBaxter]

ahh the internet...it must be true ;) Great work there bud!

[@provocateur9818]

Always learning so much here...true value and high quality videos. Thank you for making them

[@KevinBaxter]

My pleasure! Thank you

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

Old school scope there. Another thing that can pull down the 5 volt reference is another sensor shorted or partially shorted. Typically 5 volt is shared among several sensors. Nice call on the ECM in this case. Nice thing to have a known good to prove it out 100 percent.

[@KevinBaxter]

Yes sir! Same here...5 volt to all but not all are shared. 2.5v to crank, 5 v to all others in this case.