Speedometer isnt working
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 4
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From: Texas
Speedometer isnt working
I have a 1998 Harley Davidson superglide and recently the speedometer isnt working or showing the milage. It just lights up. The turn signals wont self cancel either. I've replaced the vss still no luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
Those years were problematic for odometers bleeding out.....but your case is different.
Have you checked the speed sensor. They can get dirty and not work. Or possible a chaffed wire from there. Easy check at least....
Have you checked the speed sensor. They can get dirty and not work. Or possible a chaffed wire from there. Easy check at least....
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Texas
yes I just changed the sensor today , I checked the wires , still nothing. My speedometer will light up but has no readings and doesnt work when I'm riding.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
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From:
The LCD odometer is the kind with silver background and odometer digits in black.
The most common failure is for LCD liquid to leak and cause a bleed out of odometer numbers.
Would look like ink leaked inside of odometer.
But the speed would register and the blinkers would work because blinkers cancel works with speed.
You will need to take a closer look and perform a sniff test.
There is a possibility that one of the electronics inside speedometer burned out.
But first recheck fuses.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
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From: Decatur, Alabama
As to the self canceling turn signals, my Road King doesn't have them. Not sure about a superglide but i've got a funny feeling your's don't self cancel either.
carl
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Texas
When you say your speedometer isn't working, do you really mean the odometer? My 98 RKC speedometer always worked but the odometer faded out to the point where I couldn't read it. It's a common problem. I fixed it by replacing the whole thing with a speedometer upgrade kit from HD that uses the twin cam speedometer. Others have been able to replace the LCD unit in the speedometer.
As to the self canceling turn signals, my Road King doesn't have them. Not sure about a superglide but i've got a funny feeling your's don't self cancel either.
carl
As to the self canceling turn signals, my Road King doesn't have them. Not sure about a superglide but i've got a funny feeling your's don't self cancel either.
carl
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: West Central FL
Had the same issue with the turn signals not cancelling on mine. Turned out the ground wire on the speedo case came off.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: New Orleans
Krystal Kurtz, Did you ever figure out what caused the speedo & turn signal issues on your bike? I have a 98' FLHRCI that just recently started doing the same exact thing. Haven't tried to figure it out yet, but plan to as soon as the weather clears up a bit. Any input on your solution will be greatly appreciated. Going to check that ground wire that Hey Man mentioned in his post. Thanks!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
Krystal Kurtz, Did you ever figure out what caused the speedo & turn signal issues on your bike? I have a 98' FLHRCI that just recently started doing the same exact thing. Haven't tried to figure it out yet, but plan to as soon as the weather clears up a bit. Any input on your solution will be greatly appreciated. Going to check that ground wire that Hey Man mentioned in his post. Thanks!!
If the speedometer lights up but LCD for odometer is blank and the unit does not register mileage.
Consider removing the one philip head screw and the one bolt holding center console on your road king.
Flip console over and take a look at back of speedometer for burnt evidence on speedometer back near one of the wires that enters speedometer.
But you really need to be more clear in symptoms.
On some units the face can become unglued and the needle will get stuck but odometer and blinkers will function because the needle is just stuck against speedometer face.
Some units have the LCD bleed-out making odometer hard to read.
Some units fail to record speed correctly because sensor is dirty.
Guessing you looked at fuses already.
Last edited by im; Mar 13, 2020 at 12:21 AM.