Tach and speedometer
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 124
Likes: 13
From: Arnold, Penna
Tach and speedometer
I have a 2006 ultra classic and I've recently noticed that when I hit a significant bump or even go over rough railroad tracks, my tach and speedometer needles will go down to zero and the immediately come back up. Nothing else electrical goes off and none of the other electrical gauges are affected. The engine doesn't stumble at all either. I took off the fairing and made sure all the connections were good coming off the gauges also started the bake and tried to recreate it by moving wires etc but couldn't. Also, in what may be unrelated, when the bike is hot, say after an hour ride in city and traffic, the bike will shut off as if the kill switch was pressed. Usually I can hit the stat button and it will start right back up. Occasionally, the start switch won't work but if I turn the ignition switch off and on, the start switch will work and the bike starts right up. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,642
Likes: 22,567
From: North Carolina
I would pull the outer fairing off and inspect the connection. They have to be loose or a support connector has failed and the weight of the wires is pulling on the connection. Good luck and let us know what you find.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 124
Likes: 13
From: Arnold, Penna
I pulled the fairing and while the bike was running, pulled and pushed on wires and connections but couldn't create the issue. I also took some time to use zip ties to support the main wire harnesses.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 504
Likes: 271
From: Anywhere, USA
I hit a bad pothole on the highway changing lanes. So bad I was waiting for the front tire to go flat. I had just installed Dakota digital gauges, obviously not your issue BUT my Boom box is shot!
The screen looks like a thunderstorm when it boots up and no touch screen function, hand controls work. The dealer is waiting for a replacement. BTW I did all the usual checks, fairing off, connections, pull fuses etc.
Just thought I would add my experience. 2021 FLHTK, 6500 miles.
The screen looks like a thunderstorm when it boots up and no touch screen function, hand controls work. The dealer is waiting for a replacement. BTW I did all the usual checks, fairing off, connections, pull fuses etc.
Just thought I would add my experience. 2021 FLHTK, 6500 miles.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 124
Likes: 13
From: Arnold, Penna
As with most things, if you let them go, they will get worse. While riding home last night from work, the problem started to get worse but also started giving some clues. The bike started shutting off, the tach and speedometer needles would swing for no reason, bike would occasionally surge and stumble and backfire. At one point, when I was trying to restart it, I tried to put it into neutral and noticed the neutral light wouldn't come on. I then noticed that I could jiggle the ignition switch slightly and the light would come on and I could then start the bike but of course, as soon as I hit anything bigger that a small crack in the road, the bike would shut off because the vibration would cause the ignition switch to move and shut off the bike. The switch is new, I replaced it when I switched out the handlebars in March. I got it off eBay and it came in a HD marked box but who knows. Not sure if the part of the switch that locks and turns can go bad, just seems to be a shaft and spring but it definitely is loose in the switch.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 390
From: Florida
Not sure on your bike, but on my 19' model Street Glide Special, that is not really the Ign Switch, it is on the neck with 2 bolts holding it on if I remember right, might want to check there for a loose connection
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 124
Likes: 13
From: Arnold, Penna
Hawg Runner, that's the first thing I was going to check. The fact that the switch was not a positive click to on and could be moved a bit more and the bike would start has me thinking the switch is bad even though it is brand new.