Interstate speedo issue

[Hook#3287]

Here's the deal.

While riding last weekend, I look down and my speedo isn't working.  Flatlined. 

Then it bounces a few times, starts working, then flatline again.

I stopped watching it, deciding to watch the road instead and later on, it's working again.

I do a search in the Tech Board and see where some riders have had the same issue after a rainstorm or washing.  So, possibly water leaking related.

I then realize I had washed my bike the day before.  Figure that's the cause.

Does anyone know where the leaking is happening and the fix?

New sender or maybe some silicone applied in the right place?

TIA

[Oss]

tighten the phillips screw on the sending unit after checking to see all is attached properly

its happened to me........damn potholes shake everything loose eventually

[old2soon]

tighten the phillips screw on the sending unit after checking to see all is attached properly

its happened to me........damn potholes shake everything loose eventually

             What he said. Just fer yuks and giggles look at the drive end that goes into the hole-looks like a flattened rod see if it all looks good-not missing any parts. IF water was the issue-NOT sayin it wasn't-that toad drownin cow floatin frog strangler monsoon da prez and I ran into after leaving Des Moines in 15 did NOT affect my speedo-in my case anywho I'd rule out water as the cause! I've also heard if you torque the hold down screw too much those screws have been known to snap off. RIDE SAFE.

[Foozle]

tighten the phillips screw on the sending unit after checking to see all is attached properly

its happened to me........damn potholes shake everything loose eventually

             What he said. Just fer yuks and giggles look at the drive end that goes into the hole-looks like a flattened rod see if it all looks good-not missing any parts. IF water was the issue-NOT sayin it wasn't-that toad drownin cow floatin frog strangler monsoon da prez and I ran into after leaving Des Moines in 15 did NOT affect my speedo-in my case anywho I'd rule out water as the cause! I've also heard if you torque the hold down screw too much those screws have been known to snap off. RIDE SAFE.

I concur.  If the plastic cable attachment breaks or loosens - and the cable connector falls out of alignment with the speedo gear connector while riding - it can damage the latter.  If it's partially broken off, this might explain the sporadic function.  Get a good look at an undamaged unit, and (with the aid of a good flashlight) compare it to your own. If you see a shortened "nub", this is likely the problem.  The good news is, it's a relatively easy and inexpensive fix.  P.S.  When reinstalling, use a little blue or purple Locktite on the cable screw, and gently hand-tighten until snug. The plastic mount is prone to cracking if over-torqued. (I attribute the thread locker advice to Sandy).

Terry

[Hook#3287]

Sorry I didn't get back to this post, I hate when people do that, so  

After my post and reading the responses, I did a quick check of the sender and gave the 4 tiny screws a tweak and the speedo worked, so I forgot about it.

Well I forgot about it till last weekend, when it stopped again.

I took the sender cover off and it was soaked behind it.  She hasn't seen water since I washed it before the first failure.  Late June.

I wanted to take the sender off, but the holding screw won't budge, even after trying a drill and easy out.

I wouldn't doubt it if the PO JBwelded the sucker in like he did the headlight bulbs.  

So that means the front wheel is coming off.

I cleaned the orange/green goop on the back of the sender, jacked the wheel off the ground and spun it.  The little round dohicky turned, so I put it back together and the speedo is working.

I'm optimistic, hopefully it'll work till winter.  But, if I were a betting man???

[allanbegg]

If you are getting water in the housing with the electronics circuit board, you could always use something like a Conformal Coat Spray to cover the board.

I took my housing apart miles to see if it had water in it. There was nothing. Very dry and clean.

I put it back together and expect it to fail, now that I broke the seal....

My problem turned out to be the plastic gear drive in the part attached to the axle.

[Bagger John - #3785]

That sender design has been used on practically all digital dash versions of the Honda GL series motorcycles:

1100 Aspencade
1200 Aspencade, Limited and Special Edition
1500 Valkyrie Interstate

I'm sure there are others.

While fairly robust (all things considered) I've had them fail on occasion (having owned at least one example of the bikes listed above).

That said:

A 'Wing part might be substituted if the Valkyrie P/N (37700-MBY-008) ever goes out-of-stock. I'd have to compare the wiring but the mechnicals appear the same.