Went for a ride last weekend and noticed my speedomoter was intermittently working, sometimes it would drop to zero, then increase but the reading was not accurate and thats for sure as I was doing over 90klms per hour and it would read 40 to 50, and basically bounce around. The tachomoter didnt always move either, I did over 200klms that day and it registered only 63 klms travelled.
The bike I have is a 1999 Heritage Softail ( FLSTC) and if anyone could guide me to a solution or fix that would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

I had a similar problem with my '01 fxst. On rare occasions it would act as you describe. I found that by pulling over and shutting the engine down, then restarting, the problem went away. I talked to the dealer about it but I don't remember what they said the issue was. However, I do remember the fix was $$$$$ so I just lived with it. Only happend once in a while. Hope that helps.

 

Sometimes the cause is an electrical connection under the tank console. The only other situation I have heard of is the VSS sensor at the trans. Not really $$$, but the guy had to pull the starter and oil tank to get to his.

 

Pull your speed sensor and wipe off the metal filings.

 

I had something similar on a road trip last year, plus I was blowing bulbs in my headlight at least once a day. Ended up taking to a dealer and they said the voltage regulator and stator had gone bad. The speedo was fine, it was cutting out to stop from overloading. The dealer did the work and it was somewhere around $700 bucks.

 

Ditto on the 05 and earlier.White sensor wire is usually the culprit.Check for resistance.On the Evos check and clean under the console connector for the speedo sensor.My 96 did it a while back and corrosion in the plug connection was the only problem.Cleaned with contact cleaner and got some di-electric grease in there, no more problem.

 

Thanks for the info guys, now this might sound dumb, so I apologise in advance, but is there any info that would help me find the sensor and is it something that I could do at home?

 

i have an 03 88 ci twin cam...the sensor is just below the oil pan on the right side...it has one wire coming from it and is held in with a 3/8 in hex...gently pry it out as it has a rubber mount and seal that will come easily with a little wiggle...they tend to pick up metal fragments from wear and some can attach to the sensor head...hope this helps

 

Take your dash panel off, turn it over, and inspect the connections to the ignition switch. If they are good, fill them with dielectric grease. If not, rebuild the connections and get a new ignition switch. Don't buy it from HD... buy it from J&P and save yourself $80.

Check the connections to your battery and make sure they are clean.

If you pass both of these tests, get ready for a needle in a haystack hunt.

P.S. I have never found anything on my speed sensor. I am getting ready to install my second ignition switch. The first replacement was an HD. HD doesn't know how to use starter relays evidently....

C#