Speedometer stops working sometimes

[50Panhead]

I did a search and came up with nothing of interest here.

Working on a 2003 Electra Glide.

The Early Harley's the Speedometer for the most part was independent of the ECM but the speedometer sent a signal to the TSSM to cancel the turn signal. Is that correct?

Later when "Remaining Fuel Miles" was added did the Speedometer it go through the ECM?

Problem is the Speedometer sometimes just quits or drops off 10 or 20 mph before recovering.

Note: Odometer keeps clicking off miles when the speedometer stops.
The Sending unit was double checked and changed out with a good working one.

Sounds like to me the Speedometer is trying to take a dump.

Your Thoughts?

Thanks

[motorhogman]

My experience 01 FLHT.   when this happened it was the speed sensor.  I think my directionals acted strange to. It was a long time ago so I'm not sure about the directionals but the speedo was doing something very similar.

[chipthedonkey]

Your first thing to check should be the speed sensor.  Down in the top of the transmission case. Given what you're describing it might not even be bad. 

It's held in with one fastener.  Pop it out and wipe off the surface.  Reinstall and see if your problem goes away.  Just might.  If not replacing the sensor is easy and relatively inexpensive.

[Scotty]

Note: Odometer keeps clicking off miles when the speedometer stops.
The Sending unit was double checked and changed out with a good working one. (Speed Sensor double checked I assume)
Sounds like to me the Speedometer is trying to take a dump.

If the odometer is still counting up miles then it more than likely is the speedometer itself that has gone bad.
When the speed sensor is bad the speedo and the odometer stop as nothing is registering.

[50Panhead]

Note: Odometer keeps clicking off miles when the speedometer stops.
The Sending unit was double checked and changed out with a good working one. (Speed Sensor double checked I assume)
Sounds like to me the Speedometer is trying to take a dump.

If the odometer is still counting up miles then it more than likely is the speedometer itself that has gone bad.
When the speed sensor is bad the speedo and the odometer stop as nothing is registering.

Yes that is my thoughts too.


Thanks

[Panzer]

  Speed sensor.

[Scooterfish]

Check speed sensor first for mental shavings .

I did have a speedometer go bad on an 05 Heritage. speedo would work sometimes, not work at all sometimes, going about 35 mph it would read 70-80 mph other times and bounce all around. as someone said odometer continued to record miles. 

[50Panhead]

No one answered this question.

The Early Harley's the Speedometer for the most part was independent of the ECM but the speedometer sent a signal to the TSSM to cancel the turn signal. Is that correct?

Only Scotty read this part
The Sending unit was double checked and changed out with a good working one.

I changed out the sending unit with new one.
Problem is not in the sending unit.

[motorhogman]

No one answered this question.

The Early Harley's the Speedometer for the most part was independent of the ECM but the speedometer sent a signal to the TSSM to cancel the turn signal. Is that correct?

Only Scotty read this part
The Sending unit was double checked and changed out with a good working one.

I changed out the sending unit with new one.
Problem is not in the sending unit.

Yep...I read right through that... My feeble mind was in "speed sensor" mode  Sending unit didn't register..This happens when you get old...

[Scotty]

No one answered this question.
The Early Harley's the Speedometer for the most part was independent of the ECM but the speedometer sent a signal to the TSSM to cancel the turn signal. Is that correct?
Problem is not in the sending unit.

Speedo sends VSS data to the ECM/Ignition Module and that feeds the TSM/TSSM
White/Yellow stripe from speedo to ECM/Ignition module and Grey/Yellow stripe from ECM/Ignition module to the TSM/TSSM

[fleetmechanic]

Years ago I replaced the speedometer on a 2001 police bike that was acting like this.  Threw away the original gauge before finding that the real issue was a pinched wire in the harness by the frame neck.  Don't remember what the odometer was doing though.

[Appowner]

08 FXSTC - I've had sporadic Speedo issues over the years.  Maybe 5-6 times.  Always something different.  Started when I replaced the OEM unit with one of those new ones HD came out with.  Not everything worked right away.  I decided to ride a bit and in doing so, it settled down and worked.  Then after it had been in the shop for an extended period of time (my issue, not the bikes) it just acted crazy.  Gage needles swinging madly or not at all.  Back light not working then on again and so on.  But after riding it for 20 miles or so everything once again settled down and worked.

Latest was last week.  Went for a ride, came home and when I shut it down, the back light stayed on.  Plugged it into the batt tender and came back in a half hour and the back light was off.  Hasn't repeated it yet.