Free Video By Bikers for Bikers
VIDEO & BLOG-Are you confused or want the real scoop on the Harley-Davidson Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS). Want to know if your Harley is equipped with it? There is confusing and less than useful information out there, so we broke it down for you and made a free tutorial and explanation video. We wanted to break it down in a format that makes sense to the law abiding biker out there.
Basics:
EITMS can be used by any rider, but is specifically for those riders who frequently find themselves in riding conditions where the vehicle is subjected to prolonged idle conditions or traffic congestion, the motorcycle is equipped with an Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS) to provide limited cooling of the rear cylinder.
Explanation of EITMS in biker terms:
When engine temperature reaches a predetermined point at idle, the EITMS will turn off the rear cylinder fuel injector. Idle speed will be maintained, however the rear cylinder will become an “air pump” which will work to cool the engine. The cylinder will suck in air to cool the engine.
EITMS will activate (rear cylinder will turn off) when all of the following conditions are met:
- Engine temperature exceeds 284 °F 140 °C (all except configuration J and L) or 324 °F 162 °C
- Twist grip opening is at idle
- Vehicle speed under 1 mph 2 km/h
- Engine speed under 1200 rpm
EITMS will disable (rear cylinder will again fire) if any one of the following occurs:
- Engine temperature falls below 275 °F 135 °C
- Twist grip opening is above idle
- Vehicle speed exceeds 2 mph 3 km/h
- Engine speed exceeds 1350 rpm
- Clutch is released with vehicle in gear
When the engine is in EITMS operation, you may notice a difference in idle cadence. Additionally, there may be a unique exhaust odor. These are both considered to be normal conditions.
Enabling/Disabling EITMS
Enabled: The EITMS engine cooling feature will automatically activate whenever the vehicle comes to a complete stop and is idling during elevated temperature conditions. When the feature is enabled, it may not activate under cool riding conditions.
Disabled EITMS:
The EITMS feature is not active under any conditions.
EITMS can be enabled or disabled by performing the following procedure.
- Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and push the engine OFF/RUN switch on the right handlebar to the RUN position (the motorcycle may be running or not running).
- Push the throttle to roll-off position and hold.
- See Instrument Lamps. After approximately 3 seconds, the cruise indicator lamp will either flash green (EITMS enabled) or orange (EITMS disabled).
Harley's equipped with the Boom!™ Box Infotainment System:
If you have a 2014 or later model with the Boom!™ Box Infotainment System, you can push the “information” toggle in the right control cluster. On the Boom!™ Box screen it will show you air temperature, oil pressure, and whether the EITMS is enabled or disabled. Note: you can do it the way described above to.
NOTE:
A flashing lamp indicates the EITMS setting. A solid (non-flashing) lamp indicates the cruise control setting.
Repeat the procedure as needed to enable or disable EITMS.
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Could you please elaborate on which models have EITMS? I don’t think my 2013 Sportster has it. It doesn’t have cruise control, so I can’t try the toggling routine. Would surely help in the heat and traffic here in Bangalore, India. I listen to your podcast regularly. Keep up the good work!
I don’t believe the Sportsters have it. I would tell you to look in you owner’s manual very quickly and if you have it there will be a section about it. Sorry, I don’t have a solid answer off the top of my head. When you find out, please come back here and let everyone know!
Trying to find out if my 2013 dyna street bob has it. I want to disable it as my (modified) bike does not want to run on one cylinder.
My front spark plug is normal (white/gray) and my rear plug is black.
This may be of help to you ==> https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-your-spark-plugs-by-olivia-marsh
Softails have this feature, its off by default and can only be activated by the dealer using the computer. There is a service bulletin stating that the dealer should turn it on once and off once (if you decide you don’t want it) for free, and then after that they can charge you. My dealer told me that softails don’t have the feature. When I showed them the service bulletin they agreed to do it but wanted to charge me. I then HIGHLIGHTED IN BRIGHT YELLOW the sentence that says it’s a free service and they finally caved.
On the touring models you can manually trigger the system by twisting the throttle forward after you come to a stop, but on the softails you have to wait for your oil to get near 300 degrees and your jeans are already catching on fire before it automatically triggers.
Mine is a 2014 FLSTC
Thanks for commenting and being involved in the community!
Hello Steve,I have the 2014 flstc also, I wonderd if when you had the eitms enabled the first time from the dealer, you said the eitms didn’t kick in auto, until the bike reached 300 plus degrees? So the only way I can have it enabled, is at the Harley dealer? You’re the first clear understanding bit of information I’ve come across on the 2014! My bike is running 330/350 hot in traffic, 265 normal temp i just bought it 2 month ago from Harley. Appreciate any feedback, have a great day. Robert
My 09 Roadking has this system and it seems to work quietly in the background
However on a recent rife the indicator light showed the system was off while the bike was in motion and I have not bee able to get it to stay on.
Will the bike continue to function safely without the system on and how can I get it to reset
Is cruise content on? I had to put mine on off . Thee we n turn ignition on, wait 3 seconds and repeat 3 or 4 times.
Is cruise content on? I had to put mine on off . Then turn ignition on, wait 3 seconds and repeat 3 or 4 times.
Hey Ryan, Thanks much for all the time and effort on these videos. Your daughter is doing a great job as a videographer too by the way and she’s cute as a button! Mine is off to college so cherish those years with her. Again, thanks much on this EITMS video and all of the other videos, information, and resources you provide. I find your content very worthy of donation and like you said, for the cost of a coffee per month, you get great resources! (Unless it’s Starbucks, then its a cup of expensive coffee!). Much appreciated!!