I recently bought a 2004 fat boy and wanted to upgrade the speedometer to a speedometer/tachometer combo and so I purchased one from EBAY when I received it I noticed on the box it say “fits 11-17” dynos and so fort. I tried hooking it up and it doesn’t work. While the pins in both male and female part of the plug match it still doesn’t come on. I have been doing some reading and read something about a adapter harness. Is that a thing and if so where can I get one. If not does anyone have any ideas. Thanks

 

Just guessing but maybe that's why it was on Ebay.
or
You might need to have the dealer tell the ECM that you have a different speedo with a tach.

 

I just upgraded the speedometer on my 08 Heritage. It came with a communication cable that you plug into the data port below the seat and into the speedometer. Then it transfers the mileage into the new speedometer. You unplug this cable, put it away and install the speedometer. It sounds like you didn't get this cable or instructions.
The fact that the box says it's for different years could be a problem.

 

return the speedo

 

I plan on performing the same upgrade to my '02 Fatboy. And, as much as I've lambasted the HD 'stealer' near me, I get a vet's discount and plan on just buying it from them/having them update the mileage. Cost is just under $500 but it will be done right (or so I assume). Normally I'd go the less expensive route but for the cost of these and the risk of buying the wrong one the dealer makes the most sense to me in this case. YMMV.

 

Have you already talked to the dealer.....???

If so, I'd be interested to know the part number they are going to sell you....

I looked for a speedo, like the one pictured above, for my 2003 Heritage (EFI) about 5 years ago....

At that time, all the HD speedos I could find were for '04+ models... There was nothing available for my 2003 or older from the MoCo.... all the part numbers that used to fit my 2003 and/or older models were obsolete....

It doesn't mean they don't exist, but I couldn't find it... thus my request for the part number your dealer is going to sell you...

 

This is the issue with buying used or off e-Bay.
If you have an issue you’re kind $hit out of luck.

There are different part numbers of these for different years and bikes.
I’ve had one of these on my 2009 Heritage since new and when I got my 2016 Freewheeler I wanted the same however they don’t sell one for the Freewheeler.

After much research I found a person who stated they put one on their Freewheeler that was for a Road King.
I contacted my local Dealer and they stated that they couldn’t insure that the Road King model would work but the unit was returnable as long as it wasn’t on the bike for more than 31.1 miles.

After 31.1 miles the unit is married to the bike and can’t be used any other bike.
If I recall correctly when you install these the odometer is a 0 and starts counting up.
Once it hits 31.1 miles it resets to the bike’s actual mileage marrying it to the bike.

Well I finally decided to go for it and bought one for a 2016 Road King from the Dealer so if it didn’t work I could return it.
It works great other than I don’t have reverse or parking brake indicators which hasn’t been an issue.

I have heard however that the ECM may not recognize the unit if the an incompatible one is installed.
That may be what’s going on here.

Also, I’ve heard that if you have running a carburetor the fuel gauge will not work.
That goes for all of these units as they are all designed for bike years/models with fuel injection.

 

Definitely buy from a place that will take a return!
I accidentally bought the kilometer only version (DOH!) but Harley (online) took it back and issued my refund promptly.

 

2004 was the year they switched to ECM reporting to the Speedo rather than directly . maybe not all 2004 had the change.
Also 2004 to 2011 saw a lot of major changes in ecm and how the bike worked with it . By 2011 there were no carb bike being sold for 5 years. Return it get the right one.

 

Not sure a dealer would take back an electrical item that was installed.

But they should tell you wrong year. Dealer would program your mileage too.