Are Speedometer Problems Common With Softails
#11
Mine (2004 with 50K) has never missed a beat but the tac is crazy above 3000 in cold weather like it sticks and jumps at 1000 leaps back and forth.. They are servo motor driven by digital input. I would pop the console off and pug and unplug it. Bet that is all it is. Could be the sensor but I doubt it. They do get metal on the pickup and act up however.
#12
While I haven't had a speedometer problem per se, I have had electrical problems that made the speedo do similar to what you described. I suggest riding at night to see if things like the headlight dims/brightens and the speedo persists. Mine ended up being a voltage regulator. Additionally, there is a sticky on the Evo section for diagnosing your charging system. I've found that to be really helpful. May not be the charging system at all, but if it is, you'll want to know at home vice finding out on a long ride. 2002 Heritage, by the way.
#13
While I haven't had a speedometer problem per se, I have had electrical problems that made the speedo do similar to what you described. I suggest riding at night to see if things like the headlight dims/brightens and the speedo persists. Mine ended up being a voltage regulator. Additionally, there is a sticky on the Evo section for diagnosing your charging system. I've found that to be really helpful. May not be the charging system at all, but if it is, you'll want to know at home vice finding out on a long ride. 2002 Heritage, by the way.
#14
The speedometer on my '03 FXST (42,000 miles) stopped working this week. No odometer, either. I removed the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) and metal shavings covered about 50% of the surface. I cleaned it, re-installed, but no change. Speedometer still not working.
The plug for the VSS, into the wiring harness, is behind the rear tire's plastic splash guard. I haven't checked it for corrosion, but I might later. after the bike cools down a bit. The other thing I checked was the ignition switch, cleaning the switch's three contacts, but not the switch internals. I also inspected the terminals/pins at the plug to the speedometer (under the dash), and they look clean as a whistle.
The plug for the VSS, into the wiring harness, is behind the rear tire's plastic splash guard. I haven't checked it for corrosion, but I might later. after the bike cools down a bit. The other thing I checked was the ignition switch, cleaning the switch's three contacts, but not the switch internals. I also inspected the terminals/pins at the plug to the speedometer (under the dash), and they look clean as a whistle.
#17
#18
#19
Bought a new Vehicle Speed Sensor part # 74430-00D, yesterday ('03 FXST w/ 42,000 miles).
It took about 20 minutes to install, this morning. The only things I removed were the two screws at the bottom of the plastic fender piece. The hunk of plastic then unhooked from its top mounting point so I could rotate it downwards, allowing access to the VSS's connector. Nothing else was removed, and a little finesse was required, but I was able to get the old sensor/wire/connector out, taking note of the wire's routing. The bolt holding the sensor to the tranny took a little patience, going an 1/8 of a turn at a time, but it's do-able. Getting the sensor out of the tranny's bore took a bit of effort and gentle prying with a thin, plastic prying device. Inserting the new sensor into the bore, after coating the o-ring with some oil off the old sensor, was a piece of cake.
Immediate success. Speedometer and odometer, function properly.
This is what my old sensor looked like when I removed it from the tranny and attempted the clean-and-replace fix, which didn't cure the issue. A new sensor, about 60 bucks, was the ticket. Rode down to Sperryville to Cooter's (of Dukes of Hazzard fame) for a car show, about 130 miles, no issues.
It took about 20 minutes to install, this morning. The only things I removed were the two screws at the bottom of the plastic fender piece. The hunk of plastic then unhooked from its top mounting point so I could rotate it downwards, allowing access to the VSS's connector. Nothing else was removed, and a little finesse was required, but I was able to get the old sensor/wire/connector out, taking note of the wire's routing. The bolt holding the sensor to the tranny took a little patience, going an 1/8 of a turn at a time, but it's do-able. Getting the sensor out of the tranny's bore took a bit of effort and gentle prying with a thin, plastic prying device. Inserting the new sensor into the bore, after coating the o-ring with some oil off the old sensor, was a piece of cake.
Immediate success. Speedometer and odometer, function properly.
This is what my old sensor looked like when I removed it from the tranny and attempted the clean-and-replace fix, which didn't cure the issue. A new sensor, about 60 bucks, was the ticket. Rode down to Sperryville to Cooter's (of Dukes of Hazzard fame) for a car show, about 130 miles, no issues.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post