Bare with me as I set the table for my question...

Before my pilgrimage to Bike Week, I upgraded my Headlight and Front Turn Signals to LED's on my 2011 FLHX. I then realized due to the rapid flashing turn signals I needed to install a Load Equalizer. I went to my local HD parts counter and the rep behind the counter spec'd an equalizer for my bike. I went home to install it but could not find the relay to install it. Contacted several sources for assistance but to no avail. The next day ,regrettably, I brought my bike into a HD service shop to have the equalizer installed. I was informed by the Intake Specialist that the Parts Rep sold my the wrong equalizer for my bike!!! However, they could create a work around for the part to work on my bike. What was a 30 minute job turned into a 4 hour job. The Service Advisor informed me the Service Tech "nicked" a wire during the install causing a short. The corrected the situation and I was on my way. On my way home from work later that night, I noticed my Speedo drop to "0" and the Yellow Engine Light on the instrument cluster came on. However, it seemed every time I restarted the bike the situation would correct itself. I have since brought the bike back in to the HD Service center to get the situation fixed. After HD troubleshot the situation, I got a call from the Shop Advisor stating they were not sure what was wrong with the bike because they have not been able to track down the cause due to "substandard work done on the electrical system". The Advisor not knowing the Load Equalizer was installed in his own shop, informed me that the use of "excessive" Butt Connectors was unacceptable by HD standards and therefore would take at least 3-4 more labor hours to track down the short. I informed the Advisor that the "substandard" work was performed by his own shop. Later that afternoon I got a call from the Asst. Service Mgr. advising me that the tracked the source of the problem and it was a failed Vehicle Speed Sensor!!!

My question(s) is/are:
1.) Is the VSS and Load Equalizer electrical systems related?
2.) Could the "substandard" install of the Load Equalizer cause the VSS to fail?
3.) In other words, is HD creating the failed VSS scenario to cover their install screw up of the Load Equalizer?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, as I am trying to fight the $160.00 cost for the failed VSS install. Sorry for the lengthy post, but felt the background was necessary!!!

 

It sounds like you have had monkeys on your wiring system.

is this a case where the dealership needs to 'restore' the bike to it's previous condition?

or are you now set up for continued electrical problems into the future- due to what they call substandard work?

I'd go right to management and lay it out for them.

if their Guy has said the work done by their shop is substandard, they should be replacing all affected parts of the wiring harness with new.

any further modifications should be documented for anyone working on the bike in the future.


the VSS is a simple sensor and tough to hurt...unless someone damaged the wiring?

Mike

 

Thanks mkguitar!

Trying to get as much info from other owners experience to use as ammo when discussing with HD dealership!

 

For future reference, this is where in the future you should walk away.

mkguitar also seems to be right on the money. They should put it back to stock and get the correct load equalizer instead of hacking the bike up.

Better yet, just have them put it back to stock and put the load equalizer in yourself. They are plug-and-play.