On the way home from work, I noticed the stereo volume was modulating. I looked quickly at the gages and noticed my speedo was reading zero. As soon as I looked, the sound came back and the speedo went back (about 45 mph) to normal. This happened several times very quickly.

It sounded like I was dropping rear speakers, but I couldn't really tell. The bike continued to run fine, and after a minute (maybe less - felt like forever), it quit doing it.

2001 Ultra with about 16,000 miles.

Where is the best place to start looking? Intermitant electical probles are a real PITA.

Thanks for any and all help!

 

first, take out the speedo pick up, its on the right side, just behind the oil dipstick, one bolt, pull it out, see if there are any small pieces of metal stuck to it. just clean it off, and put it back.

if it continues, you may have to replace the pick up, very simple, i think mine was around 50 bucks.
on my 03, the wire went from the pick up, and was up into the battery tray and pinched under the battery, then it just plugs in, mine shorted from the battery crushing it.

the new ones have shorter leads, so harley knew it was a production problem.
also, if that speedo is not working, the fuel injection will reak havoc.
i rode mine without the speedo, and got like 5 mi to the gallon, computer seen it as bike not moving and was running rich

 

Thanks for the info. I'll pull it and check along with the wires.

Would that affect the speakers as well?

 

Thanks Acid. A few metal filings on the sensor. Cleaned 'em off - works like new!

(I guess the speakers were dropping because they thought the bike was stopped - i.e. auto volume control)

It's really nice to have resources like you out there. Thanks again. Ride safe!

 

An update just in case someone else has a similar problem with their speedometer:

Cleaning the speed sensor didn't solve the problem, so I bought a new one.
The new speed sensor didn't fix the problem.
Changed tranny fluid just in case it was causing a bad reading due to too much crap in it.
Nope.
Got the reapir manual out and studied the wiring diagrams.
Started tracing wires - found two loose grounds in the fairing and on the frame.
Nice try.[:@]
Checked my voltage regulator - it's working fine.
Checked with some local shops "It has to be the speedometer", they all said.
Checked with a mechanic I trust. "It's the turn signal sensor. It feeds back in to the speedo. Here, take this one off on of my used bikes I have for salebefore you buy one ($250) and see if that solves your problem!"
No.
Made new harness from old speed sensor, and some three strand wire I had, ran wires all the way to the speedometer.
PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

I never did find the break in the wire, but it is a very small gauge and I'm certain it is broken somewhere in the old harness.

I can't believe I've been fooling with this problem since December! Intermittant electrical problems are the worst!