Sportster Speedometer Problem
Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Earth
I'm learning too.
The Speed Sensor on my 1999 1200CC was easy to remove once I got to the part. You`ll need to make some space around it. I`be read about people removing the Starter to get to it. All I did was loosen up the Exhaust (not even totally removed), it allowed me enough room to remove the VSS. I cleaned it and it didn'thelp at all. Still unsure if I should replace the part or not.
Hey guys,
I have a newbie question. Hope you folks don't mind.. But basically I'm experiencing the same problem where my needle tends to jump around a lot and has gotten progressively worse over time. So I definitely suspect there's just a ton of **** on my sensor. I'm not asking anyone to go into an elaborate step-by-step of how to get to the sensor; I'll get my hands on a Haynes manual somehow. But just wanted to know in advance is this something an amateur can pull off with minimal tools?
Jon
I have a newbie question. Hope you folks don't mind.. But basically I'm experiencing the same problem where my needle tends to jump around a lot and has gotten progressively worse over time. So I definitely suspect there's just a ton of **** on my sensor. I'm not asking anyone to go into an elaborate step-by-step of how to get to the sensor; I'll get my hands on a Haynes manual somehow. But just wanted to know in advance is this something an amateur can pull off with minimal tools?
Jon
Having a similar issue with my 95 883. Speedometer bounces around erratically when riding. Sits around 20mph after idling for a few minutes. Odometer reads 0000.0 and won't switch off the trip meter. Self cancels function properly. Cleaned the VSS. Wasn't in too bad of shape. Traced all the wires between the odometer and vss to find nothing out of wack. Ignition switch can be temperamental at times so I'm planning to change that shortly. Am I looking at a bad speedometer? Or could it be tied into my ignition switch issue?
Stage I
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Did you resolve this?
Have a 95 sportster 883 w/ same problem changed speedo sensor and still not working. Did you resolve the problem?
Having a similar issue with my 95 883. Speedometer bounces around erratically when riding. Sits around 20mph after idling for a few minutes. Odometer reads 0000.0 and won't switch off the trip meter. Self cancels function properly. Cleaned the VSS. Wasn't in too bad of shape. Traced all the wires between the odometer and vss to find nothing out of wack. Ignition switch can be temperamental at times so I'm planning to change that shortly. Am I looking at a bad speedometer? Or could it be tied into my ignition switch issue?
I found a used speedo on eBay. Fixed it great. There are great trouble shooting tips in the Haynes manual. I'll take a look at those and post a short hand guide for you. Give me a day to get back to you.
Stage III
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: winnipeg, canada
I am having this issue with my 2009 Nightster...it happens quite often and sometimes the bike will want to stall as I'm coming to a stop unless I give it a couple revs to keep it going then it will idle fine until I take off. If I notice the speedo needle at 0 while I'm moving, I will hit the kill switch then re start it and then the speedo will work...for a bit.
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Stage I
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Like a lot of the rest of the posts, similar issues with mine: 1999 Sportster 883. The speedometer will peg at max when I first turn ignition on. Once it starts, it'll bounce around a little then just settle on some seemingly random position.
The odometer works fine.
I pulled the sensor and there really wasn't much crud on it, but I cleaned it anyway.
Troubleshooting question, is it the single sensor that drives both speed and odometer? I have the Haynes manual and it's got nothing (that I've found) for speedometer testing...
Thanks for any help that directs me to the right culprit.
The odometer works fine.
I pulled the sensor and there really wasn't much crud on it, but I cleaned it anyway.
Troubleshooting question, is it the single sensor that drives both speed and odometer? I have the Haynes manual and it's got nothing (that I've found) for speedometer testing...
Thanks for any help that directs me to the right culprit.
