I got a 1990 FLHTC speedo quit working, and odometer also. What should I check first?

 

Sure sounds like the cable, I just had to replace mine on my '88 FLTC.

 

Agree with bluharley. I'd also check the speed drive on the front wheel and make sure it is greased and working well and that the tab is securly placed in the slot of the brake rotor. Then pull the fairing and check the cable and make sure it is engaging the speedo correctly.

 

You can check the cable without pulling the fairing...I just learned this. The sheath on the cable screws into the drive body by 3-4 coarse threads. You can unscrew it by twisting the sheath counter clockwise at the drive unit. Once it's free, pull it out of the drive, and if the cable it broke, you can just pull it out of the sheath. I put in a new one by pulling the instrument panel and replacing the cable at the speedo and then using the twisting action of the sheath to twist it counter clockwise and let it return into the drive. Ok, you're probably saying WTF????? Maybe someone else can explain it better.

 

For sure before you pull the fairing check the speedo driver on the front wheel like 89FLHT said. My driver was bad and I didn't realize it until I pulled the fairing off and found out the cable was fine. Then I checked the driver and the tab had pulled out of the slot in the brake disc. Replaced the driver today on my 88 FLHTC and the speedometer works like a charm now. It's just easier to check to see if anything obvious is wrong with the driver first before you pull the fairing.