Anyone ever have this problem? Our 00 Road King speedometer might work for a while then it quits for a day or so then it might work for a while again.
Heres what I've done except replacing the sensor.
I've pulled the sensor and wiped it off, good for a couple hours sometimes or not at all.
Checked and cleaned the plug in front of battery box,no problems again it may or may not work.
Pulled the console off and checked the plug and harness,looks o.k still no luck.
Think the sensor is shorting or something? And that is why sometimes it's o.k and sometimes not?
Thanks for the help.

 

VSS buffer issues - OR -Possible ground fault.[8D] I think the buffer is incorporated into the speedo head.
You could always hookup a D.V.O.M. and monitor the VSS input signal to the speedo head while your riding. If the speedo quits, but the signal remains at the DVOMyou know its the speedo head, connector or wire harness. If the signal drops at the DVOMwhen the speedo quits you`ll need to monitor the VSSsignal to the ECM from the sensor. If that signal remains at the DVOMwhen the speedo quits you have a bad ECM/VSS output circuit, connector or wire harness. If the signal drops out to the DVOM it`s the sensor connector, wire harnessor sensoritself. It a process of elimination. Start at one end and work your way through the system components/circuits.

 

pretty much what drdeisel said, but slightly simpler.
How mechanically inclined are you and do you have a digital volt ohm (dvom) meter?
VSS = vehicle speed sensor. It is located on top of the tranny next to the neutral switch.
I would first disconnect it and remove it from tranny and clean it.
It's basically (and I mean basically, so don't harp on me) is an electro magnet. It changes the voltage reference signal as the notches in the tranny moves past it.
It tends to pickup sludge and metal particles on the tip over time.
so I would pull it an clean it off first and look in the hole and see if sludge is built up in the bottom. use a Q-tip to swab it up and out.
Then go try it again.
since this sensor has no moving parts the only other thing that can happen to it is if the wire coils inside break or the metal core from vibration over time.
The break may not be complete thus your intermittent operation and may not show up on a continuity check.
If you are mechanically inclined, I would purchase the electronics diagnosis manual for your bike (different than the service manual).
Is your speedo handlebar or tank mounted? either way, remove it and check the plug into the speedo for being loose or maybe a little corrosion.
Radio shack makes an electronic contact spray cleaner that is safe for the wires, solder, and plastic. Might try that. Before you put it together buy a small tube of dialectric grease. Put it on the contacts (sparingly).
If this works you're done, if not it either needs to go to dealer to be diagnosed or you need to get out the manual (above) and do the tests.
Also I would check to see if any diagnostic codes are displayed. But if the speedo is faulty their may not be any displayed, because the speedo is faulty.