Speedometer suddenly stopped working
 

Hello,

New member here. I just purchased a 99 Superhawk with 17k on it. I drove it home wednesday and everything seemed to work well. This morning, the speedometer/odometer did not work. I checked the voltage as the manual suggests at the speed sensor and it reads 12V and the pulse is reading voltage as well. When I checked the voltage at the speedometer, it is reading -12V and the pulse is also - voltage. Is the voltage at the speedometer supposed to be + or -?

Thanks in advance for any help!

its most likely your voltage regulator rectifier. This is usually the first indicator while riding the bike. Try charging the battery then drive it if the speedomoter works for a little while this is for what is wrong

Not to sound like an idiot, but where is the voltage regulator rectifier? I don't believe I have an issue with the battery being undercharged. Are you suggesting that the speedometer may not work if this regulator is bad and the battery is slightly undercharged?

yes it seems that as the battery begins to loose charge one thing after the next begins to shut down. Since during the day you wont notice your lights dimming usually the speedo is the first thing you notice. R/r is under the rear plastic work. You have to remove the plastic not just the seat. Search R/R issues and a lot will come up. Start with what everyone has had problems with before exploring a problem that not many have had like a bad speedo sensor. I haven't heard of many of those failing.

+1 on checking the R/R after insuring the wire/clip for the cluster is in good contact.

My speedo was the first thing to shut off after the R/R went as well.

J.

Now I feel like an idiot. I put the gauge cluster back in and the speedo works again? I will be sure to look into the R/R issues so I will be more familiar with the problems if it occurs again. Had I of been more familiar with this bike and the speeds at different RPMs/gears I wouldn't mind loosing the speedo so much. Driving by a cop as I froze my ass off this morning was kind of unnerving.

Thank you both for your help! I do appreciate the quick replies to my problem.