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I am doing a rebuild. The speedometer works but the digital trip screen does not show miles ridden. And I kinda need to know when to stop for gas. I am looking for a solution that I don't have to rewire the bike as from my research the OEM part is discontinued. Looking for something I can just install.
You forgot the picture of the speedometer face.
Based on picture of back of speedometer i will guess that you mean odometer LCD screen is black.
If the LCD is black then it leaked.
If you have absolutely nothing showing on odometer and LCD is silver and not black then you have another problem.
It is a common problem with units from about 1996 to 1998 on fuel tank mounted speedometers for LCD to leak.
You can google and see multiple images.
You have a few choices:
Go to link provided on post #2...about $200, keep in mind that unit could still give-up the ghost because of age and failure of internal components.
Sometimes the orange and white wire burns internally (inside unit) and takes components out.
If you decide to switch to plug and play style then Drag Specialties sells a sub-harness on J & P cycles for about $55 USA dollars.
The wire sub-harness allows you to plug into wire bridge under seat area and you then end-up with the more modern plug and. play system.
No splicing required with drag specialties unit.
You will have to disconnect 4 wires from back of speedometer that will NOT be re-used.
The 4 wires attached to nuts will be disconnected and either cut and terminated or taped -off.
Then you can use a plug and play speedometer designed for use in 99 to about 2003 models.
Replacement years should have a black plug on back of speedometer.
Keep in mind that old white plastic back ring that holds speedometer is different from newer black one as the clips land in a different spot.
Also keep in mind that mileage is stored in the speedometer unit and not the computer for that era.
If you put in a brand new speedometer then it starts at zero, a used one starts at whatever was in unit.
You need to look at your unit again and decide if LCD leaked or if it has an internal problem.
LCD replacement is easier to address, a burn-out is a replacement. A burn-out would be along orange and white wire internally.
If you are sure that speedometer works....meaning that needle moves with mileage and registers speed correctly then something is weird.
Makes me wonder if someone opened the unit to change LCD screen but failed to put it together correctly.
Look for bent edges between metal crimp ring that hold glass and rubber seal on console.
If it is the LCD then folks in link should be able to assist or you can look at youtube videos to see how to uncrimp but it requires tons of patience and screen is next to impossible to find.
Most times it is an LCD leak that causes odometer to look like an ink explosion and that is fixable with replacement screen.
If needle does not function then orange and white wire probably shorted inside unit and took out a few components.
Your LCD looks clean, NOT leaking.
There is no sign of leaks I am thinking the more I read my post and look on the internet just buying another speedometer and call it a day. If this was just a toy project then I might try and fix it but this is going to be the Harley I ride for the next 10 to 15 years unless I hit the lottery.
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1998 Fatboy Speedometer help
