Electronic Speedo Problems on 97 Springer?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Big Bear City, CA
Electronic Speedo Problems on 97 Springer?
I've been having annoying issues with my Speedo this season. Several years ago my Speedo quit working so I replaced the Sensor and it worked great for several more years.
This season the Speedo needle started bouncing around then went dead, so I replaced the Sensor again. It worked great for about 2 months then the needle started bouncing around again. This time I noticed that it was effected when hitting bumps. Hit a bump and the needle drops to zero. Then went completely dead again.
Because of the bumps having an effect on the Speedo Needle dropping, I have to suspect a short. I disconnect the Sensor wire from the coupling at the Speedo to clean the contacts with a Qtip & rubbing alcohol. Reconnect and it worked until the first bump, then went dead.
Bought yet another Sensor and installed it and all was well again ... for the last month, now dead again.
I know it seems like a short, but why would a new sensor "temporarily" repair it if it was a short? Yet if I reconnect the old sensor, it's still dead. The wiring from the dash to the sensor is not chaffed or shorting out anywhere, it's perfectly intact.
At one point I thought that the speedo might be failing. But replacing the sensor wouldn't make it work again for a while. And I can't imagine that I bought 3 bad sensors since last March.
So I'm at a total loss.
Has anybody else had this experience, or have any ideas?
Thanks
This season the Speedo needle started bouncing around then went dead, so I replaced the Sensor again. It worked great for about 2 months then the needle started bouncing around again. This time I noticed that it was effected when hitting bumps. Hit a bump and the needle drops to zero. Then went completely dead again.
Because of the bumps having an effect on the Speedo Needle dropping, I have to suspect a short. I disconnect the Sensor wire from the coupling at the Speedo to clean the contacts with a Qtip & rubbing alcohol. Reconnect and it worked until the first bump, then went dead.
Bought yet another Sensor and installed it and all was well again ... for the last month, now dead again.
I know it seems like a short, but why would a new sensor "temporarily" repair it if it was a short? Yet if I reconnect the old sensor, it's still dead. The wiring from the dash to the sensor is not chaffed or shorting out anywhere, it's perfectly intact.
At one point I thought that the speedo might be failing. But replacing the sensor wouldn't make it work again for a while. And I can't imagine that I bought 3 bad sensors since last March.
So I'm at a total loss.
Has anybody else had this experience, or have any ideas?
Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
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From: Russellville, Arkansas
The 2000-up electronic speedometers have a built-in diagnostic. You push and hold the odometer reset button while turning the ignition to on. Then you go through several screens pressing the button showing any trouble codes. Somewhere online is all the codes...
I am not sure the late 1990's models had that feature...but it is worth checking into.
I am not sure the late 1990's models had that feature...but it is worth checking into.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Thanks
The 2000-up electronic speedometers have a built-in diagnostic. You push and hold the odometer reset button while turning the ignition to on. Then you go through several screens pressing the button showing any trouble codes. Somewhere online is all the codes...
I am not sure the late 1990's models had that feature...but it is worth checking into.
I am not sure the late 1990's models had that feature...but it is worth checking into.
But thanks for trying.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
(At least that is what I understand from your original description.)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
If the wiring is good, I would suspect the short is in the speedo, and taking out the sensor when hitting bumps. The speedo should rubber-mounted with an additional rubber ring to help absorb shock...are these items intact?
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Thanks Tom. Yes, it's all in tact and the rubber mounts seem fine. But maybe it is the Speedo taking out the sensor. Those speedo's ain't cheap though. I'd hate to buy one and find that it wasn't the problem. Still probably cheaper than spending money having HD trouble shoot.
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