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How to test a speedo is working?

R

rmgcook

Joined Jun 2008
22 Posts | 0+
Harrogate, England
Hi Guys

Firstly apologies up front - I'm sure this is listed somewhere on this site - but having looked through the owners docs and searched the forum - I just can't find it...

So - having got my FE400 E running now, I'm wanting to get the digital speedo working. It was working when I bought the bike and stopped 2 days later.

Basically I replaced the plastics on the bike, however I also got caught out in a down pour at the same time, so I'm not sure if a) Ive disconnected / broken a wire (I can't see anything obvious) or b) water got in the speedo and killed it (the plastic is cracked but it was still working when I first got it).

I understand these things only turn on when the sense a pulse from the pickup - so is there anyway I can get the thing to turn on (i.e. bridge a wire or something?) to test it actually works, then I'll know if its the sensor / pickup, or the unit itself thats dead... I don't have a tripmaster switch, I have checked the constant power which is fine, and have replaced the battery too...

Incidentally - the three pin plug.... 1 is earth... 1 is constant power... what is the 3rd? I thought it was switched power but it doesn't seem to be...?

Thanks in advance
Robin
 
To test a speedo is generally straightforward. The pickup is a reed switch, a switch that is activated by a magnet, which is attached to the wheel. As the magnet goes past, the switch closes. The speedo counts the on/off pulses and times them, knowing the tyre diameter/perimeter to calculate the speed.

To test you need to simulate the on off switching. You can do this by unplugging the sensor and using a jumper wire to make an on/off connection. If that works, then troubleshoot the sensor with a multimeter as the wheel rotates, looking for the on/off. Is the magnet still on the wheel/disc? Broken wire? Dodgy connector?

Steve
 
Cheers Steve - I have the speedo off the bike at the moment... the magnet is still on the bike, the cable looks unbroken at the sensor - however the plug is missing at the speedo end... the wires were botched together to the speedo.. it was working though when I bought it... I'll try the speedo first, if that works - any idea where I can get a pickup cable & sensor?
 
Genuine parts are always an option. I've adapted bicycle speedos to my old ITs in the past and also on my FE501. On a good day you can get the speedo and sensor for under $20. Just use the sensor, they all work the same. May need to fiddle a bit to fit it, but generally not too difficult. Trailtech, or Acewell may also be able to provide parts to suit.
 
Looks like the speedo could be dead - no life at all when I bridge the sensor plug - changed the battery too. Looks like it will be a new speedo... :-(
 
If you want to mess about with the changeover, either a Trailtech Vapor or Vector or an Acewell 3xxx something or other would be an option (and maybe cheaper also if it matters?).

The Vector has a speedo & temp gauge, th vapor has that and a tacho. Depending which model Acewell, you get different combinations of that & maybe a bit more. You would have to tool around to make it fit but.
 
Yeah thats one option - the vectors do look good, and dont take much to fit.. I bellieve you can get one for around £60.... 2nd hand berg / ktm speedos seem to go for £50-£60 on ebay....
 
If you were going to go a Vector, I'd rather fit a Vapor. They are identical size but have tacho as well. I noticed there is a bloke on Aus eBay now selling Vapor for AU $165. I think that equates to about £2.50. :lol: When I got mine they were going for about AU $220.

Even though I'm in Aus at the time it was only just over half the price to buy one from the 'States and have it mailed (about AU $120) than I could get it for locally. I got the Trailtech dashboard as well with 4 indicator lights in it. I stuck a pic of the model in my gallery (link below).

Before I got it I got a brand new Acewell unit (actually OEM for an Aus CRF450) off eBay. I think it looks a tiny bit better quality than the Trailtech, but its size is narrower & higher. I could not get it to comfortably fit behind the headlight mask.
 
I was looking at some in US which were slightly cheaper than in the UK - but only by about $20 US delivered - and I've been stung for import tax before when I've bought from the US chances, so are I'd have any saving wiped out! I do like the trail techs though - I'll probably end up going for one of those..
 

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