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Speedometer stopped working

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Zzyzxx71

Well-known member
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
50
Pretty simple really, was riding home, typically in 5th 4k=80... I look down, shows I'm doin 70, then 60, tach is still at 4k. Over about the next 2 miles it drops down to 0. Odometer isn't registering either.

Just to be sure it wasn't something electrical, stopped before I got home - turned the bike off and back on. Both needles flick like they're supposed to.

Ideas? I've searched the forum the best I know how - haven't found anything exactly like this.

Thanks in advance.
 
Doubtful it's the fuses but I'll check in. The speedo needle very gradually went from 80-0 while I was on the way home.

Edit: Yep - fuses are good.
 
you need a new speedo sensor. easy to replace, its just above the front drive pulley. happend to me before, replaced it and it was as good as new
 
Awesome - will pull it in the AM, may see if it can be cleaned up, but most likely will hit up the HD dealership near where I work and grab a new one tomorrow.
 
i tried just cleaning mine up to no avail. just get a new one and save yourself the time.
 
Turns out it had this thin coating of what appeared to be a grey lithium grease slung all over the bottom of it. Cleaned it off with a paper towel, put it back in, took it out on the road for a test and voila, worked just like nothing had happened. Not sure what that crap on it was, it wasn't metallic though.

The big test is whether or not it keeps working.
 
If it doesn't keep working let me know I've got one off a 03 xb's pretty sure it will fit on other years. I used it for about two months.
 
thats exactly how mine worked. sooner or later you will get sick of cleaning the thing off and you will buy a new one. glad that you got it working(for now). :D
 
Interesting - Are you implying that the goop isn't the root cause and that the "goop removal" only slightly/temporarily causes the speedo to start working?

Didn't ride the bike today, so the question is in earnest - damn thing could go tits up within 50 feet for all I know.
 
I'm pretty sure it was the goop, now, how did the goop get in your tranny, that is the expensive question, eventually
 
That goop always happens. I've replaced speed sensors on 3 other bolts and they all had it.
 
rrh481 - I sent you a PM.

Turns out after only about 5 miles this morning, it puttered out again.

Buellparts.net doesn't have the part in stock, it's on backorder with no date.

edit: Would anyone mind searching ebay for "harley speed sensor" and give me your opinion? There appear to be a ton of sensors that look very similar to the one on the XB.
 
if oil gets "goopy", it is from moisture contaminating it, I don't care if it is Firebolt or lawn mower, altho not usually grey in color, more like chocolate milk, my XT has had an intermittent speedo since about 5k miles, I have pulled and cleaned the sensor, once, it did nothing, XT's in particular had a problem with the seat putting pressure on the ECM connections, I could see the indentions on my seat, so a couple of days ago, I cut out the offending piece of seat pan, and have not lost VSS signal since, not sure if it was the problem, but hey, can't hurt
 
If anyone can post a picture of the plug of the speed sensor I'd greatly appreciate it. It appears that this sensor may not be buell specific, almost all of these damn things look exactly the same... I could be wrong though.

As far as the oil, it's probably from the prior oil, as I just did a full oil change about 300 miles ago.
 
It's really not in a photogenic location on the bike, but if someone has one loose they surely could just send it to you, is the ECM under the seat on your bike, might want to see if it is is the same condition mine was
 
its right next to your starter motor on the belt side of the bike. held in with one allen screw
 

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