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May 2nd, 2008, 11:55 AM
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#1 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
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Hi all,
I have a strange problem. When I first start out on my sporty, the speedometer reads 30 - 35 and stays there regardless of what speed I'm driving, and even stays there at a stop. Somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes (sometimes longer) of riding it will start registering the correct speed. Any ideas? Trans fluid is fresh (Amsoil) and it WAS doing this previously with the fossil trans fluid also.
TIA,
Steve | 
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May 2nd, 2008, 01:21 PM
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#2 | | 200+ posts and climbing
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 457 Model: '95, '00 Sportsters Interests: Land-Speed-Record events Occupation: Independent contractor (several fields)
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ssteiner53  Hi all,
I have a strange problem. When I first start out on my sporty, the speedometer reads 30 - 35 and stays there regardless of what speed I'm driving, and even stays there at a stop. Somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes (sometimes longer) of riding it will start registering the correct speed. Any ideas? Trans fluid is fresh (Amsoil) and it WAS doing this previously with the fossil trans fluid also.
TIA,
Steve | Gotta wait a few seconds after turning the key to the on position for the speedo to go thru it's little diagnostic routine. Watch it as you turn the key on - the needle will bounce a little bit. Just a few seconds is all that's necessary, but if you turn the key & start the bike immediately, the speedo will do just as you describe. | |
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May 2nd, 2008, 01:22 PM
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#3 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
| Thanks Art,
I'll give that a try! | |
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May 2nd, 2008, 01:46 PM
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#4 | | 200+ posts and climbing
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 457 Model: '95, '00 Sportsters Interests: Land-Speed-Record events Occupation: Independent contractor (several fields)
| Post if that takes care of it - my '95 did the same thing & I was scratching my head until someone told me to wait a few seconds after turning the key, let the speedo needle bounce, the digital odometer come on & then start. Bikes I'd owned previously didn't require that.
The '00 bike will do the same thing too if you don't wait a few seconds after turning the key. Oh, the wonders of modern technology  | |
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May 5th, 2008, 06:33 AM
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#5 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Art_NJr Post if that takes care of it - my '95 did the same thing & I was scratching my head until someone told me to wait a few seconds after turning the key, let the speedo needle bounce, the digital odometer come on & then start. Bikes I'd owned previously didn't require that.
The '00 bike will do the same thing too if you don't wait a few seconds after turning the key. Oh, the wonders of modern technology | I tried that, I DID notice the needle bounce but it still exhibited the same symptoms. I think when it is due a trans fluid change, I'll clean the transducer. I don't want to do it right now since it is fresh fluid (about 500 miles) and I don't want to "waste" it. I can put up with it for a while since it does start working eventually. | |
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May 5th, 2008, 06:49 AM
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#6 | | 200+ posts and climbing
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 457 Model: '95, '00 Sportsters Interests: Land-Speed-Record events Occupation: Independent contractor (several fields)
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I tried that, I DID notice the needle bounce but it still exhibited the same symptoms. I think when it is due a trans fluid change, I'll clean the transducer.
| Might be the sending unit & you don't have to drain the fluid to change it - check your service manual for the procedure. If you don't have the H-D manual, get one - worth every penny & if you buy online (I don't), I'm told places like Chicago H-D & Zannotti's sell @ a discount.
And the speedometer unit itself can go bad - the odometer on my '95 went goofy, racking up miles as if I was going 200 mph, even though the speed was showing correctly. I don't know the electronics in those gizmos so I just got another one. | |
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May 5th, 2008, 06:56 AM
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#7 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Art_NJr Might be the sending unit & you don't have to drain the fluid to change it - check your service manual for the procedure. If you don't have the H-D manual, get one - worth every penny & if you buy online (I don't), I'm told places like Chicago H-D & Zannotti's sell @ a discount.
And the speedometer unit itself can go bad - the odometer on my '95 went goofy, racking up miles as if I was going 200 mph, even though the speed was showing correctly. I don't know the electronics in those gizmos so I just got another one. | Well, doh! Why didn't I think of checking the service manual to check the procedure? I'm sure it will tell me if I need to drain the fluid.
I know, when in doubt read the book! I'll look it up and pull it. I have read posts on other forums that say sometimes the sending unit just needs to be cleaned? Not sure what they are talking about, but by looking in the book and locating the sending unit I can at least look over the wiring for any obvious problems. | |
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May 5th, 2008, 07:54 AM
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#8 | | 200+ posts and climbing
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 457 Model: '95, '00 Sportsters Interests: Land-Speed-Record events Occupation: Independent contractor (several fields)
| Quote: |
I know, when in doubt read the book! I'll look it up and pull it. I have read posts on other forums that say sometimes the sending unit just needs to be cleaned?
| Yep, sometimes it is that simple. Hopefully it will be in your situation. | |
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May 5th, 2008, 09:03 AM
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#9 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lake jackson,tx
Posts: 912 Model: 03 883 XLC-CHOPPER Occupation: welder
| Mine Would Do The Same Thing Brand New, Asked The Dealer About It One Time And They Told Me, That By Turning The Bike Off With The Off Switch, Not The Key, Should Stop The Problem, Has Worked So Far For Me, Can't Remember The Last Time It Did That Since I've Been Doing This. | |
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May 6th, 2008, 06:17 AM
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#10 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
| Quote:
Originally Posted by SPORSTERBOY Mine Would Do The Same Thing Brand New, Asked The Dealer About It One Time And They Told Me, That By Turning The Bike Off With The Off Switch, Not The Key, Should Stop The Problem, Has Worked So Far For Me, Can't Remember The Last Time It Did That Since I've Been Doing This. | So turn it off with the Off Switch THEN the key? And turn on the key THEN the OFF Switch to start it?
I'll give it a try and post the results. Thanks! | |
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May 22nd, 2008, 07:01 AM
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#11 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SPORSTERBOY Mine Would Do The Same Thing Brand New, Asked The Dealer About It One Time And They Told Me, That By Turning The Bike Off With The Off Switch, Not The Key, Should Stop The Problem, Has Worked So Far For Me, Can't Remember The Last Time It Did That Since I've Been Doing This. | I have been trying to remember to turn the bike off with the off switch, and that seems to help. It still happens sometimes, but not as often as it used to. Perhaps I am starting it too soon after turning the key; I'll try to remember to wait longer.
Thanks to all who replied.
Steve | |
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May 22nd, 2008, 11:05 AM
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#12 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,989
| On my BT the HD speedo pickup had a lot of problems back in 00 - 03, they have superceeded the pn several times I think it's a -C version now.
Anyway they will fail, and usually when they go the speedo goes nuts then dead, no turn signals, cruise etc.
The sensor is also a magnet that picks up shavings in the trans, its a good idea to pull it and clean it, use a towel, those metal shavings are sharp.
I pull it out and put back in a couple of times in a row when cleaning tends to pull out more shavings.
It's on the list of regular checkup things for me now,
Knock on chrome the last one has stayed operable for several years. | |
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