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Oh no. We’ve all been there. The check engine light (CEL) on your dash illuminates, and your Harley-Davidson isn’t running right. Or, what might be even more confusing, the light comes on but the bike seems completely fine. What should you do, what does it mean? Is this cause for a tow? Can the bike operate normally until you can get it into a shop?
These questions are very common when a Harley-Davidson check engine light stays on. Keep reading below for information about how to determine which trouble code is associated with the CEL.
An illuminated check engine light is an indication that the motorcycle’s onboard diagnostic system detects a current or historic trouble code, known as diagnostic trouble codes (DTC).
Once exclusive to the automotive industry, motorcycle manufacturers like Harley-Davidson rely on onboard diagnostics to assist owners and technicians when a fault occurs.
Prior to electronic fuel injection (EFI), motorcycles had few, if any, sensors or complicated electronic equipment. Over the years, manufacturers like Harley-Davidson transitioned to fuel injection for a variety of reasons, including reliability, simplicity, fuel economy/emissions, and performance.
While this transition to EFI gave riders a simpler and more enjoyable ownership experience, it also made diagnostic work more challenging. Following the trend of automotive manufacturers, motorcycle manufacturers like Harley-Davidson adopted the standardized SAE convention for identifying and labeling onboard faults.
If the vehicle’s electronic control module detects an error within the system, it “throws a code,” causing the check engine light to illuminate. A DTC is directional information for an owner or technician to begin diagnostic work. The presence of a code doesn’t mean you should start replacing parts. A Harley-Davidson dealership service department or other qualified technician is your best bet if you are not comfortable or experienced with diagnosing electrical issues.
Harley trouble codes categories: (categories may vary based on model year and options)
All fuel-injected motorcycles have the ability to communicate trouble codes. However, some bikes require an external diagnostic tool. Luckily, H motorcycles have the ability to display Harley error codes right on the dash, no tool required!
To enter the diagnostic system and retrieve a trouble code, hold down the trip reset button while turning the ignition from off to on. This will allow you to cycle through the categories, and see which one indicates a code.
Trouble codes fall into one of three categories:
Current codes display when the system detects an active fault. Simply clearing the code won’t resolve the issue, as the code will return once enough drive cycles occur in which the system recognizes the fault again.
Historic codes remain saved until they are intentionally cleared or roughly 40 ignition cycles (on/off) without recurrence. Historic codes assist with intermittent issues or faults.
Pending codes record when the system detects a fault but the fault has not occurred during enough drive cycles to set at current. If the fault resolves itself, the code will become a historic code, skipping current status.
Using the trip reset button, a Harley-Davidson owner can cycle through codes in each of the code categories and note the DTC itself. Listed below are possible codes and their meanings. Please note that not all codes will apply to every model based on year and options.
How to access codes without a diagnostic tool:
Newer bikes display abbreviations to represent each module:
Older bikes display letters to represent each module:
The onboard diagnostic system will also display a part number that corresponds to the trouble code, and it will allow you to clear the code. This part can be a bit tricky, since the part associated with the displayed number isn’t automatically bad. Also, it’s possible to see multiple codes related to one issue.
Harley-Davidson uses abbreviations in their service manual, owner’s manual and for diagnostic work with trouble codes. We’ve listed common abbreviations and their meanings below:
These abbreviations, and the accompanying list of trouble codes, can be a great start when your Harley-Davidson check engine light comes on. As mentioned above, if you are not comfortable with electrical diagnostic work, a dealership or qualified technician can offer assistance. Please keep in mind that even though you have the ability to clear a DTC using the onboard diagnostic feature, you shouldn’t clear the code prior to your service appointment. Let the technician view and clear the codes as they troubleshoot the issue.
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Some Harley-Davidson owners perform their own service and repair, but most draw the line at electrical diagnostic work. Technicians who can quickly diagnose and repair electronic system faults are always in demand. Simply observing and identifying a code isn’t enough to fix a motorcycle with an illuminated check engine light, nor is swapping out parts without a thorough understanding of the root cause of the failure. Like anything else, experience and practice will allow for an entry-level technician to become a full diagnostic tech.
In Motorcycle Mechanic Institute’s 42-week Motorcycle Technician Training Program,7 students can learn the foundations of motorcycle, ATV, side-by-side and personal watercraft to prepare for a career as a motorcycle technician.1 To learn more, visit our program page and request information to talk with an Admissions Representative today.
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Considering going to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI)? Find answers to 9 commonly asked questions about the school here.
1) MMI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
7) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.
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