Speedometer, fuel gauge and odometer not working

[blackboy304]

Hello all, I have a 2003 Road Star Silver edition I recently inherited from my uncle that passed. bike runs perfect but basically all the gauges for the exception of the light are not working and I cant find a fuse that may be the issue. can someone please help.

[Flashback]

check the plugs under the dash.....might be disconnected or corroded ...........

[Ron Caudill]

I'm with flashback, I'd take the 3 Allen bolts out of the tank holding the gauges on and make sure they connector is plugged in.

[davej]

The fuses are under the side cover on the left side of the bike

[Father Pobasturd]

It 's a common problem on Road Stars to have these instruments fail. There are different way of dealing with each one, commensurate to your mechanical prowess. Research the site and you will find a litany of info.

[blackboy304]

thanks all. I have taken the tank off and even the speedo, but never really inspected the wires. I will do so, will also recheck the fuses, just don't recall seeing one that said instrument or anything resembling gauges. but will recheck.

[blackboy304]

update...checked the connectors all look good and clean, all 5 fuses are good... unless there more fuses somewhere else... yeah speedometer, gas needle doesn't move and the gas light just flashes... not sure may have to take it to a repair company.

[Ron Caudill]

does the back light come on for the gauge?? check engine light? High beam indicator?
My bike is a 2006 and the power feeding the speedo assembly comes off the "back up fuse" per the Yamaha manual. shows to be a 5 amp

[blackboy304]

yes everything else works perfectly. the fuse was still good.

[Ron Caudill]

damaged or shorted circuits can cause it to blink

[Ron Caudill]

SO lets sum up so we all know exactly what is not working:
1. Speedo does not work (needle does not move while you're riding)?
2. We've established the fuel level needle does not move
3. The low fuel light blinks.

Everything else works fine (all lights, back lights).
Could be 2 separate problems but they say coincidince takes a lot of planning. I would ohm the fuel level sensor. Hopefully between 10 - 140 ohms for the sensor. If it is an open circuit, you've found a problem (with the fuel level system)

[blackboy304]

Ron, you correct... no speedo, so fuel gauge, fuel light blinks, all backup lights are on, signals, lights all work fine... i will look at the sensors when I get home and check ohms...

[Ron Caudill]

any updates?

[olesparkie]

I have a 2000 midnight star. The fuel guage and odometer work, but the speedometer works intermittently. Any suggestions? Btw, I was able to fix the fuel gauge by replacing the sending unit a year or so ago.....been working great since. My speedometer issues are recent.

[boomerA]

Look in the archives under Bike Talk, and search for the problem you're experiencing, or, take your instrument console to a speedometer repair shop. The needles get dirty and stick, as the light oil used on them dries up. Electrical contact cleaner sprayed on the needle pivots and sewing machine or fishing reel oil to lubricate.

[motleysdad]

my fuel level sensor is out, I read earlier that Techron Concentrate Plus will keep the contacts clean to avoid this problem by adding it every 3000 miles to a tank full of gas...my question is will this fix the problem and clean up the contacts..or wilit only prevent it from happening and not fix the issue once it starts.....figured its easier to ask then waste the money trying it if it won't do the job....thanks for any advice...matthew

[Brixes]

Brother, I had the same problem in a thousand Wild Star 2002, and reading and reading mentioned that the tachometer and fuel indication needle tended to stick with the start stopper, that is, with the stick where each needle rests . Solution: clean them with acetone (nail polish remover) important only clean the orange part of the needle, because if you clean the gray part of the needles you will remove the paint and it will turn orange. Also clean the stop where that needle rests. With that you solve the problem, because as I said, they tend to stick and as the impeller of the same is electronic, that adhesion does not expire and they remain without moving when they should work.

[J89k]

This. I have to clean my needles once a year.

[Lug Nut]

Prob need a fuel sending unit first off (with blinking gas light)... $80 on ebay

speedo...does it sweep on startup at all?

easiest thing to do is find someone with a 99-03 Roadstar (04+ have different connections) and swap out speedo assemblies....that will tell you if it's a sensor issue. My 2000 needed a speedo sensor AND a new speedometer AND a fuel sending unit.

new speedo sensor is $90 and kind of a pain in the ass to replace.....ingot a used working speedo for $65 and got lucky and sold my chrome bezel from my broken speedo for $65 so that worked out nice.

[Rob in FL]

Can anyone recommend a speedometer repair company? Every one I have contacted said they do not work on motorcycle speedometers.
thanks,
Rob

[Lug Nut]

Can anyone recommend a speedometer repair company? Every one I have contacted said they do not work on motorcycle speedometers.
thanks,
Rob

Gonna be much cheaper to find a good used speedo assembly.....check FB RSC and ebay

[EP Roadie]

My 2001 Roadstar Fuel Gauge also stuck recently and my speedometer needle also is lazy to work but then works after a few minutes and/or tapping on the gauge cover Haven't taken the time to mess with it but maybe now I'll get off my A** and clean the needle as mentioned. Is it easy to open the cover to clean

[boomerA]

Gonna be much cheaper to find a good used speedo assembly.....check FB RSC and ebay

I've been looking for one for a Midnight edition to replace the speedometer face, and have had zero luck. I don't care if the instrument itself doesn't work, I just need the face off a '07 or earlier Midnight Star.

[Spydr]

Well heck! I have one of Those... P.M. me.