Speed Sensor--Clean or Replace?
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: North Central Ohio
To those of you who just clipped the plug so as not to have to remove the starter how did you rerun the wire so it looks nice and neat and possibly hidden. getting ready to replace mine on my '01 Ultra.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 301
From: moved to Florida!
How do you test the speedo? Can I do it or need to hook up to something at the dealer? I've replaced my speed sensor twice. My speedo goes haywire bouncing around, but only does it maybe twice a month and usually after the bike has sit in the parking lot in the sun, never in the morning when it's cool. I stop the bike and turn off the ignition, then back on, and 99% of the time it starts working again. I'm thinking maybe a ground under the fairing is not quite right, but would like to test the speedo out too. Only thing is, if it is so sparatic, how would I know if the speedo is actually good unless I get it to do the bouncing while I test it? Any ideas?
Jerry
Jerry
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Alabama.
No I have not checked the speedo. I bought this bike used 2 years ago and there has always been a couple of quirky things about the dash panel.
First of all the speedo light has never worked, right after I bought the bike I took it in for a total end to end check up and the guy at the shop said when I picked the bike up that it was in great shape. But that when he was gonna replace the bulbs in my speedo that it was glued shut and he couldn't get it apart.
So I didn't want to spend $500 on a speedo and decided to just live with it. I noticed too the I could be rolling along at 65 or 70 or whatever and the speedo would drop to 0 then instantly go right back to whatever speed I'm traveling. I called the shop and he told me to remove the sensor and clean it and see if it helped, I did and it didn't.
Also the gas gauge always stays pegged at full but lights ups but has never worked. The odometer has always worked great and the trip meter is how I keep up with when I need gas.
Another odd thing is that the switch only works when in the run position (turned right), if I turn it to the left (accessories) it doesn't show anything no odometer or anything.
Honestly I havn't had anything checked on it, the bike has been garaged for the last year due to a series of health issue I have delt with. I'm able to ride again and hope to get my RK sorted out so I can ride again soon.
I apologize for the long post, just trying to explain as clear as possible.
First of all the speedo light has never worked, right after I bought the bike I took it in for a total end to end check up and the guy at the shop said when I picked the bike up that it was in great shape. But that when he was gonna replace the bulbs in my speedo that it was glued shut and he couldn't get it apart.
So I didn't want to spend $500 on a speedo and decided to just live with it. I noticed too the I could be rolling along at 65 or 70 or whatever and the speedo would drop to 0 then instantly go right back to whatever speed I'm traveling. I called the shop and he told me to remove the sensor and clean it and see if it helped, I did and it didn't.
Also the gas gauge always stays pegged at full but lights ups but has never worked. The odometer has always worked great and the trip meter is how I keep up with when I need gas.
Another odd thing is that the switch only works when in the run position (turned right), if I turn it to the left (accessories) it doesn't show anything no odometer or anything.
Honestly I havn't had anything checked on it, the bike has been garaged for the last year due to a series of health issue I have delt with. I'm able to ride again and hope to get my RK sorted out so I can ride again soon.
I apologize for the long post, just trying to explain as clear as possible.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Norway
I had to change the sensor on my 2002 Heritage less than one year ago. Now the speedo is out again. Cleaned the sensor with no result. It was no methal filings on it either. I think the darn thing should last more than 9 months. I can feel (with a screwdriver) that the magnet is working, and it would be wery nice if somebody had a tip on how to test that it`s the sensor and not the speedo that`s toast. Is it for example possible to "beep" between two of the wires while running a screwdriver back and forth in front of it and than be able to see any reaction? In that case, which two wires?
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Norway
I removed the old sensor today, and found out an easy way to get the old one out and the new one in without clipping the plug. Yank out the gasket sealing the cables on the back of the plug. The green center piece inside the plug can be removed just by pulling in the center peg with a flat-nosed plier. Than Carefullt lift the plastic "locks" holding each connector in place. They can easily be accessed when the center piece is out. Then just pull them out. To re-do the connectors, they will "click" into place, and the center piece can be pushed back in. Easy as anything. Remember to make a note of which color is in which hole before you begin.
Last edited by Mr X; Jul 27, 2010 at 08:24 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Midway, UT.
Terry
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Alabama.
I removed the old sensor today, and found out an easy way to get the old one out and the new one in without clipping the plug. Yank out the gasket sealing the cables on the back of the plug. The green center piece inside the plug can be removed just by pulling in the center peg with a flat-nosed plier. Than Carefullt lift the plastic "locks" holding each connector in place. They can easily be accessed when the center piece is out. Then just pull them out. To re-do the connectors, they will "click" into place, and the center piece can be pushed back in. Easy as anything. Remember to make a note of which color is in which hole before you begin.
Great idea, I did it like you describe and it worked great, sadly the new one still didn't solve my problem. I might have a bad speedo.