Electrical issue! Speedo, other things stopped working
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: Canton, OH, USA
Electrical issue! Speedo, other things stopped working
2014 Fat Boy
On a ride the other day, all of the following things quit working all at once:
Speedometer
Auto-cancel feature for the turn signals
6th gear indicator lamp
Gear indicator on the GEAR/RPM feature in the digital tach readout
To top it off, the idle is rough when stopped and the bike will stall if I don't keep some twist in the throttle. If I let the bike die and start it up again, the idle issue is fixed, but the list above still not working and if I ride any distance, the idle issue returns.
I have checked my fuses and all 3 are good.
Anyone have any ideas where I might look to solve the issue? Bike is well-maintained by me but I don't know a damned thing about electric issues.
On a ride the other day, all of the following things quit working all at once:
Speedometer
Auto-cancel feature for the turn signals
6th gear indicator lamp
Gear indicator on the GEAR/RPM feature in the digital tach readout
To top it off, the idle is rough when stopped and the bike will stall if I don't keep some twist in the throttle. If I let the bike die and start it up again, the idle issue is fixed, but the list above still not working and if I ride any distance, the idle issue returns.
I have checked my fuses and all 3 are good.
Anyone have any ideas where I might look to solve the issue? Bike is well-maintained by me but I don't know a damned thing about electric issues.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: Canton, OH, USA
Okay, so since I know next to nothing about electrical stuff (learning as I go and thankful for people who have experience who can help point me in the right direction), I'll tell you what I did:
I hooked up my multimeter to my battery and with the ignition off I was reading 12.31 volts. I started the bike and the voltage went up to 13.66.
Does that tell me that the voltage regulator is working properly? I would assume that, if the voltage dropped when I fired the bike up, that there is an issue with the voltage regulator. Is there something else that I should do to test the voltage regulator? Sorry if these are novice questions, but I appreciate you taking the time to answer.
I hooked up my multimeter to my battery and with the ignition off I was reading 12.31 volts. I started the bike and the voltage went up to 13.66.
Does that tell me that the voltage regulator is working properly? I would assume that, if the voltage dropped when I fired the bike up, that there is an issue with the voltage regulator. Is there something else that I should do to test the voltage regulator? Sorry if these are novice questions, but I appreciate you taking the time to answer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,104
Likes: 13,047
From: Texas, USA
The problem is your vehicle speed sensor (VSS). Try cleaning it. It that fails, then replace it. Both are simple jobs and inexpensive, too.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 739
From: Northern California
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: Canton, OH, USA
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 47
Likes: 12
From: New Zealand
Vehicle Speed Sensor for sure
I had exactly the same symptoms and the VSS was the culprit.
I ended up replacing as a clean made no difference.
Here's a tip though, a skinny set of hands will help no end, otherwise get a friend to help. Allen keys are almost the only tool needed (3/16?), its tucked away under a plastic electrical panel just in front of the rear wheel
Steve
I ended up replacing as a clean made no difference.
Here's a tip though, a skinny set of hands will help no end, otherwise get a friend to help. Allen keys are almost the only tool needed (3/16?), its tucked away under a plastic electrical panel just in front of the rear wheel
Steve
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: Canton, OH, USA
I had exactly the same symptoms and the VSS was the culprit.
I ended up replacing as a clean made no difference.
Here's a tip though, a skinny set of hands will help no end, otherwise get a friend to help. Allen keys are almost the only tool needed (3/16?), its tucked away under a plastic electrical panel just in front of the rear wheel
Steve
I ended up replacing as a clean made no difference.
Here's a tip though, a skinny set of hands will help no end, otherwise get a friend to help. Allen keys are almost the only tool needed (3/16?), its tucked away under a plastic electrical panel just in front of the rear wheel
Steve
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...m-for-you.html
Edit: Tryoing71, here's a video that may help you..
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Jun 29, 2019 at 01:19 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: Canton, OH, USA
Hmmm, now I'm kinda wondering if the speed sensor might be responsible for the problem I ran into a couple of days ago.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...m-for-you.html
Edit: Tryoing71, here's a video that may help you..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0ByQwuXGT4o
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...m-for-you.html
Edit: Tryoing71, here's a video that may help you..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0ByQwuXGT4o