Repairing Interstate Speedometer Sensor

[Thrud]

Had my speedometer sensor quit on me after only 29,000 miles.  Before failing completely, the speedometer would act erratically on occasion with the needle moving from my current speed all the way to down to 0 mph. 

After removing the sensor from the fork and disassembling the unit I found it to be contaminated with wet grease.  The grease had coated the little metallic wheel that spins inside the sensor housing and sends a magnetic pulse to the pickup sensor.  The electronics package, which is surrounded by some sort of yellow paste gel was a little wet.  I figure either the presence of the grease or the moisture in the housing was responsible for the early failure.

My question is, can the sensor be salvaged by simply cleaning the grease from the little magnetic wheel and letting the electronics package dry out?  Should there be any lubrication, perhaps a small dab of grease on the shaft that runs from the magnetic wheel to the outside of the sensor unit where it mates to the axle drive wheel?  Has anyone in this forum been successful at this repair?

Thanks in advance!
Steve

[Ricky-D]

I'd suggest to sure try that before replacing it.

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[gordonv]

Very little is known of these everyday things. More commonly is the other models mechanical cables breaking.

Please, keep us all informed of how you progress and what your out come is.

[Cracker Jack]

Before you do anything, check to be sure the drive blade on the axel part is turning when the wheel turns. A few years ago I had the same symptoms as you and found that I had not been careful when installing the drive gear on the axel and damaged the stamped sheet metal coupling which connects the wheel to the drive gear.

Test by putting a little resistance on the blade with needle nose pliers while turning the wheel to be sure you have a solid connection between the drive gear and the wheel. You might get lucky.

I would strongly suspect this as the problem if you have had the front wheel off recently.

Good luck.

[Michvalk]

I had the same problem with my I/S sensor. Cleaned out the goo, and replaced with di-electric and thought I had it. Worked good for a while, then back to it. I ended up just replacing it. Nothing I did would fix it for good. Mine would fill with water even if I didn't ride in the rain, or get it wet when I washed the bike. I tried sealing the case with RTV and drilling a small hole in the case to let the water out, all to no avail.

[Momz]

I had the same symptom on my 2K I/S.
I bought a Speedo Drive from Pinwall for $10.00,....they are the same for both the Standard/Tourer and the I/S.

[Gryphon Rider]

Just as a FYI for people reading this thread, the box assembly, which attaches to the axle, is common to all Valkyries.  On a Standard/Tourer, the cable attaches to the box.  On an Interstate, the speed sensor attaches to the box.