Speedo problem..
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
same question diff website
"I had the EXACT same problem on my '01 Ultra too. After a dealer failed to diagnose the problem I took it to an indy. Turned out to be a broken wire inside the main overlay harness. The wire was broken at the area in front of the gas tank, right where it runs along the frame and steering neck. Other riders have had other wires break causing other electrical problems.
Using a multimeter, they checked continuity in small increments starting from the back of the speedo and working down. They checked the three wires (red, black, and white) that run from the VSS in the tranny. Mine was a red wire."
Using a multimeter, they checked continuity in small increments starting from the back of the speedo and working down. They checked the three wires (red, black, and white) that run from the VSS in the tranny. Mine was a red wire."
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Swensos,
It was my mistake to bring my issue to a thread that I now realize is about digital speedo issues. I'm talking about old fashion cable drives and mechanical speedos.
Your info is a great suggestion of where to start checking for "digital speedos" that only use electric impulses to translate to MPH. I've heard about the senders collecting debris on their magnet and that loss of information impacts the whole bike.
I'm not sure when Harley changed.
It was my mistake to bring my issue to a thread that I now realize is about digital speedo issues. I'm talking about old fashion cable drives and mechanical speedos.
Your info is a great suggestion of where to start checking for "digital speedos" that only use electric impulses to translate to MPH. I've heard about the senders collecting debris on their magnet and that loss of information impacts the whole bike.
I'm not sure when Harley changed.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Non-electriconic speedometers use a magnet that rotates and as it goes by a little piece of metal attached to the needle it pulls it along with it. The faster it goes, the more times it pulls on the needle causing it to rise. That is a very simple explanation of how the average mechanical speedometer works. There is a little more to it, but that's the basics.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
John, Good to see you on the boards today.
Any guesses on my issue ... oh wise one?
Lubricate the head units "mechanisms maybe? What to use?
(John sold me on the Crane HI4E and had a good deal for me. I consider him to be my first new friend here)
Any guesses on my issue ... oh wise one?
Lubricate the head units "mechanisms maybe? What to use?
(John sold me on the Crane HI4E and had a good deal for me. I consider him to be my first new friend here)
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
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From: Ohio
Speedo heads sometimes go bad too, but it's more often a cable or drive issue.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
I was talking about the mechanical speedo, there is a magnet in the speedo that the cable spins, that in turn moves the needle. If you cleaned the magnetic pickup in the tranny, then it's either the speedo, or wires. Your dealer has a tester that can check out the speedo head. It shouldn't cost much as it only take less than a half hour.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Put it back together and push the inner in and turn it until it seats in the sender. Now lift the front wheel up and turn it, the inner cable should rotate.Hope this helps!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,205
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From: SE Michigan
Was the cable on my '91 FLHS ( mechanical speedo). Up and down my driveway after some work done and reassembly ( 100 yds.) in the winter speedo didn't work so put new cable on that was too long. Started binding up when finally riding so took speedo to shop and it was fine. Put correct cable on and it now even registers at low speeds; no lube on new cable other than what it came with.