Harley Code P1511: What Does It Mean and How to Fix It?

Harley Davidson bikes are intended for maximum enjoyment. Yes, the error codes are capable of preventing you from enjoying your rides. Today, we will focus on the P1511 code, which is one of the most common of all codes.

So what does Harley Code P1511 mean? The code P1511 refers to a problem with the throttle grip sensor. This can include a bad ECM, a faulty throttle body wiring connector, and unsecured bolts on the throttle housing. Riding the bike recklessly can be the reason for this issue.

Fortunately, the fixes are quite easy. Yet, before we get into the fixes, we have to understand the problem first. So let’s dive in deep with the code P1511.

What Does Harley Code P1511 Mean

In simple words, code P1511 directly indicates that something is wrong with the throttle grip sensor in your Harley motorcycle. The throttle grip sensor is also called a throttle position sensor.

An engine’s air intake is tracked by a sensor called a throttle position sensor (TPS). To directly monitor the throttle position, the sensor is typically mounted on the butterfly spindle or shaft.

Your engine will run poorly if your throttle position sensor is broken. The acceleration will not be smooth at all. This is because, even if the airflow is increasing, the system isn’t instructing the engine to inject as much fuel as is necessary.

One side note, if you’re facing issues with acceleration, it may also, at times, show you Harley code p1510, which is due to issues in the throttle actuator control motor.

Common Symptoms Of A Bad Throttle Sensor

What symptoms indicate a bad TPS? Here’s a table to portray the symptoms, including their description in a more organized manner;

Symptoms	Meaning
Stalling	A loss of power steering, making it hard to steer the bike
Hesitation	It’s bogging down, misfiring, or stumbling when you hit the accelerator
Surging at specific throttle points	Your Harley speeds up and slows down even while you keep the accelerator steady
Uneven or harsh idle	You will come across RPM meter to fluctuate in-between rides, and thus the motorcycle wobbles
Decrease in fuel economy	You get less mileage on your motorcycle

Harley Code P1511 Problems And Fixes

As mentioned before, the problems are a bad ECM, a faulty throttle body wiring connector, and unsecured bolts on the throttle housing. These make the throttle position sensor malfunction. So let’s have a look at the problems in depth and how to fix them.

A Bad ECM

When the ECM is not working properly, the engine doesn’t receive any information about how much fuel to burn in the combustion process. In most cases of poor ECM functioning, the bike uses up more fuel than necessary.

The ECM uses the inputs from this sensor to help calculate how much air is entering the engine. It’s located in the left-hand electrical panel behind the left-hand cover on a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Fix

ECM failure most commonly occurs within one of the wiring harnesses. Wires to fuel injectors or the transmission can lose conductivity due to corrosion, resulting in failure. Fortunately, replacing the corroded wires typically resolves these issues.

However, a matter to note is that the Harley Code P1353 may also be present as it’s related to faulty wires.

A Faulty Throttle Body Wiring Connector

The throttle body is positioned between the air cleaner and a manifold that brings fuel and air into an engine which is also called the intake manifold. Moreover, it controls the airflow in the engine. Thus, making sure all the wires in the throttle body are crucial.

When there’s a fault in the throttle body wiring, sufficient air doesn’t get in the engine and thus overheats. When the engine is overheating, nothing on the motorcycle runs smoothly. Thus, you will come across the P1511 code.

Fix

You need to identify the right cables responsible for a faulty throttle body. Check to see if any of the wires are loosened, damaged, or faulty, and then fix them accordingly or even replace them if necessary.

However, if you try to do it yourself without proper knowledge, it will get tricky. Therefore, it’s always best to take it to a professional.

Nevertheless, if you are willing to do it yourself, here’s a video on how to access the throttle body wiring connectors;

Unsecured Bolts On The Throttle Housing

The throttle bolts are crucial as it helps to send signals to your motorcycle properly. Thus, an unsecured bolt can make riding hazardous and reduce engine performance.

It is also located between the engine’s air cleaner and the intake manifold, where the throttle body is positioned.

Fix

Take a screwdriver with the same head as the Harley Davidson’s bolts. To check for loose bolts, try turning them to the right. If you find a motion to the right then they are loosened bolts and need tightening.

However, if you find them fixed in their position, they are good to go.

How To Avoid The Error Code P1511

At this point, you might have fixed the error code. However, you certainly don’t want to face this problem again. Well, there are two effective ways that you can use to avoid the error code P1511. They are;

Don’t Drive Recklessly

With a special type of bike like Harley Davidson, you expect yourself to be a free bird with a top speed. Yet, this isn’t always the case. Not all Harley bikes are made for speeding, especially lightweight ones.

So, don’t ride your bike recklessly to avoid such events as code P1511.

Dielectric Grease

Dielectric grease is a silicone-based lubricant, often known as tune-up grease, that deters moisture and guards against corrosion on electrical components. Moreover, it is used to keep debris, moisture, and other substances away from electrical connections.

This lubricant may have been washed off when cleaning the bike. There are possible reasons for it being washed off. Thus, make sure the dielectric grease is present close to the connection behind the air cleaner.

How Much Will A Mechanic Charge for Fixing a Harley Code P1511

The cost depends on the location you are in. Mechanic cost depends from place to place. All we can say is that the time it will take to debug an error code P1511 is an hour. Also, the type of problems can impact the labor cost as well.

The average mechanic cost varies from $75 to $130 per hour. Nevertheless, don’t always search for the cheapest option, as cheap doesn’t always mean a win. Your favorite bike can get defective if the mechanic doesn’t know what he’s doing.

FAQ

Let’s have a look at some frequently asked questions now.

Conclusion

To sum up, the Harley code P1511 refers to a problem with the throttle grip sensor. So anything that you can find that is connected to the throttle grip is to care about. Make sure all the connections are properly made, and dielectric grease is also present.

Additionally, tighten all the bolts and check for rusted cables. They are one of the primary reasons for this problem. Nevertheless, if you find any steps tricky, don’t be shy about showing them to a mechanic.