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[TimBone]

Do twin cams shut off if oil level gets too low?

Buddy of mine has a 2001 Carb Twin cam that has shut off twice now during
him riding and seems that the oil level both times was too low.  He filled to
appropriate level both times and now checks it quite often and has not had the problem.

I looked high and low and can't find anything that says these engines will shut off and
figured I would ask here.

Thanks for the help,
TimBone

[timtoolman]

no  there isnt a safety shut down because off low oil pressure,  unless its realllllly low then it will permanant and its tooo late then

[grc]

No.

I suppose you could test this idea by removing the electrical connector from the oil pressure sending unit and seeing if the engine refused to run.  But the answer is still no, there is no safety shutoff to alert you the oil pressure is zilch.  Considering how low the oil pressure runs at idle on many Harley's, it's probably a good thing there isn't such a shutoff device.  People would be having their engines quit at every traffic light.

As for just automatically sensing that the oil level is low, that's a big NO also.  There is no sensor in the oil pan or tank, so there is no way the bike could know the level is low.


Jerry

[TimBone]

no  there isnt a safety shut down because off low oil pressure,  unless its realllllly low then it will permanant and its tooo late then

Thanks Tim

[TimBone]

No.

I suppose you could test this idea by removing the electrical connector from the oil pressure sending unit and seeing if the engine refused to run.  But the answer is still no, there is no safety shutoff to alert you the oil pressure is zilch.  Considering how low the oil pressure runs at idle on many Harley's, it's probably a good thing there isn't such a shutoff device.  People would be having their engines quit at every traffic light.

As for just automatically sensing that the oil level is low, that's a big NO also.  There is no sensor in the oil pan or tank, so there is no way the bike could know the level is low.

Jerry

Thanks for the scoop Jerry.
Hmmm, wonder what it could be for him then.
Will keep checking to see what it is.

[timtoolman]

welcome

[grc]

Could be that running the oil extremely low caused the bike to severely overheat, and that can cause it to shut down.  Hopefully if he checks the oil level like he should, he won't run low again.


Jerry

[TORKER07]

I think it was for the 2000 Ultras, there was a recall for the main circuit breaker tripping and causing a shutdown. It may be worth a check or just replace the main breaker.

[Keats]

I think it was for the 2000 Ultras, there was a recall for the main circuit breaker tripping and causing a shutdown. It may be worth a check or just replace the main breaker.

Adding oil would not fix that though

[Ed Ramberger - One_Screamin_Eagle]

Could be that running the oil extremely low caused the bike to severely overheat, and that can cause it to shut down.  Hopefully if he checks the oil level like he should, he won't run low again.


Jerry

Not on a carbureted

[TimBone]

Gents,
Thanks for the additional reply on SUBJ.
He has been keeping the oil level where it needs to be and
no shut off problems.  Bike is using oil as it does have 40K miles
and probably needs a good going through on the engine.  I will
keep this post updated as the weeks go and see if there is a
bigger cause.
Very Strange it is.
Thanks again for the replies back on this SUBJ.

Tim

[TimBone]

Just happened again this weekend and his oil level was full.
Seemed like while it was running and then felt as if the Run/Stop switch was hit to stop.
And he never uses that switch, only the ignition on the tank.

Then turns bike off and back on at the tank switch and it fires right up.
Very strange.

[Twolanerider]

Just an absolute and sudden shut off?  So you're assuming something electrical/ignition rather than fuel?

[Talon]

No check light, does headlight and other electrical functions stay on? Might check the CPS, this could cause this. Could be a short or loose wire, but I wouldn't think it would come back everytime to switch the ignition on and off if it were wiring.

Craig

[TimBone]

Just an absolute and sudden shut off?  So you're assuming something electrical/ignition rather than fuel?

Engine shuts down with no hiccups or any indication that it is about to.

Then eng oil light comes on like you were going to start the bike.
Glides to a stop. Turns the IGN switch of and then on and fires right up.