Engine Light & Speedometer Needle issues
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Engine Light & Speedometer Needle issues
I have a '99 Dyna Wide Glide that I bought in August 2013. After having the oil changed in September, it started showing the engine light coming on & then going off. If it came on while I was stopped, the odometer would flash. We disconnected the battery cables for about an hour & then reconnected after installing a battery tender. Seems like the problem was solved until a few weeks ago when the light would come back on & off again. Then, I noticed a couple times as I was slowing down, as I reached around 30 mph, the speedometer needle would drop to zero & then jump back up. Our local motorcycle mechanic could find nothing wrong & said it may be a code that Harley needs to fix. Any coomment or suggestions or has anybody else experienci this problem?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 176
Definitely throwing a code or codes. Reason for code may be the issue with needle jump. Could just be dirty or bad speed censor. If motorcycle mechanic can't at least pull codes for you it's time to find a new mechanic. First step is getting the trouble code.
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I bought the bike from the original owner & he did no modifications. So, to get this code, I'm guessing I'll need to take it to Harley or can they give it to me over the phone? Nearest dealer is 60 miles from me. Thanks for your response!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 9
From: Williamsport, MD
my 06 sportster did exactly that, but it only did it on rare occasion so I never bothered to troubleshoot it. and a simple cycle of the ignition would set it back to normal.. I bet it is throwing a code for "lost Odometer data" or something stupid like that, there's probably nothing really wrong.
you can get the code by following a procedure on the speedometer, look it up on youtube or maybe a service manual, you just hold the button while turning on the ignition and follow a procedure to scroll though the codes, and you can even clear them yourself, atleast this is how it was on my 06 sportster.
I have no idea what would fix it, could be a loose connection somewhere in power or signal wire, maybe something with the speedometer unit, but I wouldn't bother fixing it if it only occurs once a month, however if you want3ed to install a speedo/tach combo anyway I think autometer makes one, atleast they do for my 03 wide glide.
you can get the code by following a procedure on the speedometer, look it up on youtube or maybe a service manual, you just hold the button while turning on the ignition and follow a procedure to scroll though the codes, and you can even clear them yourself, atleast this is how it was on my 06 sportster.
I have no idea what would fix it, could be a loose connection somewhere in power or signal wire, maybe something with the speedometer unit, but I wouldn't bother fixing it if it only occurs once a month, however if you want3ed to install a speedo/tach combo anyway I think autometer makes one, atleast they do for my 03 wide glide.
Last edited by LunaticFringe; Feb 8, 2015 at 10:41 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
I have a '99 Dyna Wide Glide that I bought in August 2013. After having the oil changed in September, it started showing the engine light coming on & then going off. If it came on while I was stopped, the odometer would flash. We disconnected the battery cables for about an hour & then reconnected after installing a battery tender. Seems like the problem was solved until a few weeks ago when the light would come back on & off again. Then, I noticed a couple times as I was slowing down, as I reached around 30 mph, the speedometer needle would drop to zero & then jump back up. Our local motorcycle mechanic could find nothing wrong & said it may be a code that Harley needs to fix. Any coomment or suggestions or has anybody else experienci this problem?
The greater the amount of information provided the better the answer you may get.
It would seem you have:
1999 Dyna Wide Glide that you have owned for under two years.
This is a carb. model.
We have no idea of miles, condition, if bike is stock or if something was added to the bike after purchase.
We have no maintenance history during your ownership.
At some point in Sept. 2014 the check engine light came on after an oil change.
Not really sure which oil was changed..engine ? transmission? primary?
You observed some odometer flashing and check engine light coming on and off.
Battery cables disconnected and code was erased....no more light.
A few weeks ago similar repeats but you have a needle drop reported in addition to original light issue.
This is a shot in the dark but are your battery cables tight at the 4 locations?....remember each battery cable has two ends.
Did someone remove the CRANK SHAFT position sensor (located on engine near head of oil filter). Reason: some folks remove the one bolt holding that sensor in order to get better access at filter removal. A loose CRANK SHAFT position sensor would cause strange needle jumps and a momentary loss of power.....a dirty speed sensor at the transmission would cause the needle not to read or misread speed repeatedly.
If i was a gambler i would guess it was the loose cables and crank shaft sensor was loose near filter or at the wire connector at the bottom of frame.
Please return after reviewing the above so we can gain some knowledge.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Milford CT
speed sensor
Maybe the speed sensor cable.....Friends bike did the same thing I got him a new one from HD for $60.00 took about 15 min to change and fixed the problem...
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
My 2000 FXDL did that a few months ago. Another side affect was the lights became brighter as the revs went up. Replaced the regulator and all has been good since.
Mine had failed and was letting AC voltage wreak havoc through the electrical system. You may want to check the ground on the regulator, check the voltage with bike running, also check the AC voltage coming out of the stator.
If you need a new reg, buy the Cycle Electric one, well built and is a series design, much better than the shunt type OEM.
Mine had failed and was letting AC voltage wreak havoc through the electrical system. You may want to check the ground on the regulator, check the voltage with bike running, also check the AC voltage coming out of the stator.
If you need a new reg, buy the Cycle Electric one, well built and is a series design, much better than the shunt type OEM.
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