Engine cutting out

Deuce5150

.020 Over
Joined
May 12, 2014
Messages
11
Ride
1997 Speed Triple and 2005 Rocket III
Hello,

I've got an '05 Rocket III that just started developing a problem. At about 3000 rpm the engine starts to cut out and stutter. Almost as if it isn't getting gas. There also seems to be a "whirring" sound from the top of the motor or somewhere underneath the chrome cover right below the tank. The sound can be heard when I shut of the bike and the engine spools down to a stop. Any thoughts? The battery seems to be going flat if it isn't started for more than a few days, so I'm sure that needs replacing. In a panic I changed the oil to make sure there was enough in there. The problem persisted afterwards. No check engine light is on. I'm aware these have ignition issues, but the sound is throwing me off. Any info you all have would be awesome.
 
I should add that the bike is bone stock.
 
I had the same issue, minus the sound. Mine turned out to be a crankshaft sensor. I let the dealer handle it. Maybe someone will chime in on how to check that yourself.
 
Several possibilities.

Low tension leads on coils - make sure that they are clean and tight, even the one at the front which is harder to get to.
Fuel filter - if it needs replacing then get one from your auto parts store for a fraction of the price of the Triumph one.
Ignition switch - if you haven't put an EB kit on then the switch will fail.

There are a few other possibilities, but these are where I would start.
 
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I thank you all for your suggestions. I'll definitely try fiddling with the coil leads. I'm not sure if the ignition issues were addressed by the previous owner.
 
My bet is the low tension coils leads. clean them apply dialetric greases and recrimp the female ends. Now the whirling sound under the claw must be the idle stepper motor. This could mean the primary TPS unit is out of sync or toast if it has never been changed. Easy Job with the tuning software. Set and or install new TPS to correct voltage and do a ful ISCV reset. If this does not fix it you should lubricaate the idle stepper motor shaft and the return springs between the throttle bodies with copious amopunt of WD40. Now if your Primary TPS has never been changed I would do it anyway. if it is not send correct and accurate voltage readings your idle stepper motor will be off and the ecu map will be off as the map uses RPM and TPS voltage points on the Ftable and the lamba voltage and TPS voltage on the L tables.
Hope this did not confuse you. try all lubricating advice and cleaning of the low tension leads on the coils first then let us know.
 
these symptoms sound just like when My TPS developed a worn spot but my motor did not actually cut out all together, that is not to say it would not of gotten worse if I hadn't workout what it was . I cleaner my injectors, checked All the electronics 4 times before realising it was in fact the TPS (it had tested OK), put a new one in and hasn't missed a beat since
 
What hans says make sense. If there is a worn spot the whirling noise at speed could be from the TPS voltage signal droping and the idle stepper motor is trying to move the idle around or find zero position. I would probably be wierd as it would say something like 0% throttle position while reading a higher rpm then idle, thus tryning to slow the idle down withthe stepper motor. doe sit surge any when your criusing at 3000 rpms or just cut out?
 
Well, apparently I have a magic garage that fixes things all by itself. I started down the list by busting out the multimeter and checking the battery. It looked good with the bike off, so I started it up and checked again. All good. Then I noticed that the whirring sound I had heard before seemed to be gone. I got my ear down there and sure enough everything sounded normal. So, I did a few throttle blips and it revved happily with no stutters or troubles. Amazed, I turned it off, waited a bit and repeated the process. I waited a while, started it up again and took it for a ride. Everything worked perfectly. I have no explanation, but I'm not complaining.