Speed sensor rev a

WideGlideWilly · Nov 16th, 2009, 08:24 PM

My 07 Wide-Glide experienced some craziness last week. Speedo went nutz, turn signals wouldn't cancel and the bike wanted to cut out when decelerating. After troubleshooting w/ a multi meter and some online guidance, it became obvious that the Vehicle Speed Sensor is bad. So I called my favorite parts guy at the dealership and he had two sensors in stock however, he also said that HD is coming out with a revision to this part so I asked if this was a high failure sensor. He said NO. HHHMMM! So why the revision? Wouldn't you think they should recall this part? I have recently talked to several guys that had a VSS failure or have replaced more than one. I haven't seen any bulletins on this. I don't want to fork out $60.00 every 10K miles for a new speed sensor. Poor engineering or manufacturing, I could care less. But I don't think it should be at the owners expense. Your thoughts? ~ Willy

Hoople · Nov 16th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WideGlideWilly

So why the revision?
Wouldn't you think they should recall this part?
I have recently talked to several guys that had a VSS failure or have replaced more than one.
I haven't seen any bulletins on this.
I don't want to fork out $60.00 every 10K miles for a new speed sensor.
Poor engineering or manufacturing,
I could care less. But I don't think it should be at the owners expense. Your thoughts? ~ Willy

Wow, If you change the part, and it does not fix it. Then what?

glider · Nov 16th, 2009, 08:28 PM

The VSS is a magnetic part that is susceptible to the filings from the gears in the trans and as a result fails quite often.

The revision is only a periodic update to the part, more than likely a "C" after a part number instead of a "B" which could even be a different vendor for the part. Is it a better part? I doubt it.
Harley doesn't recall parts unless there is a safety hazard involved.

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 16th, 2009, 11:37 PM

Unfortuanately the HD part number system only changes "Alpha" number and does not change the revision part number par se, unlike most vendors who change part number suffix (usually 2 or 3 digits after part number) if actual major part change and Alpha letter only for minor changes (like vendor change or cosmetic).

For example, on the starter clutch on my Sporty, I recently replaced you could see MOCO changed the press in bearing and seal part numbers (could not tell if there were changes to the internal clutch) going from rev A to rev C, so it is hard to say what that revision changes really do, or measurement criteria for degree of change. Obviously if really major change, they would change part number to something totally different.

06SuperG · Nov 18th, 2009, 11:55 AM

Last summer, while on a 300 mile ride my speedo when hay wire also, so I had to cut my trip short. Not sure what else might fail and didn't want to be stranded.
I determined it was the VSS. I talked to my local service mgr and he said he replaced his 3 times on his 03, so I set up an appointment to get mine changed after he ordered the part. In the mean time, I went for a rind the following weekend and had no issues. What ever was clogging or attached to it the week before was gone.
To date, I have not changed it and it's been 1200 miles.

glider · Nov 18th, 2009, 04:05 PM

If it gave you a problem in the past, it will be back again.

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 18th, 2009, 11:02 PM

Glider, you said it...when something fails, consider it a warning...after that it could fail at a particularly terrible time...like in traffic or deep in the woods. Certainly don't want to gamble with Murphy controlling the house...

Nov 16th, 2009, 08:24 PM	#1
WideGlideWilly New Family Ride: 2007 FXDWG Join Date: Nov 16th, 2009 Posts: 2	Speed sensor rev a My 07 Wide-Glide experienced some craziness last week. Speedo went nutz, turn signals wouldn't cancel and the bike wanted to cut out when decelerating. After troubleshooting w/ a multi meter and some online guidance, it became obvious that the Vehicle Speed Sensor is bad. So I called my favorite parts guy at the dealership and he had two sensors in stock however, he also said that HD is coming out with a revision to this part so I asked if this was a high failure sensor. He said NO. HHHMMM! So why the revision? Wouldn't you think they should recall this part? I have recently talked to several guys that had a VSS failure or have replaced more than one. I haven't seen any bulletins on this. I don't want to fork out $60.00 every 10K miles for a new speed sensor. Poor engineering or manufacturing, I could care less. But I don't think it should be at the owners expense. Your thoughts? ~ Willy

Nov 16th, 2009, 08:28 PM	#3
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,049 My Mood:	Re: Speed sensor rev a The VSS is a magnetic part that is susceptible to the filings from the gears in the trans and as a result fails quite often. The revision is only a periodic update to the part, more than likely a "C" after a part number instead of a "B" which could even be a different vendor for the part. Is it a better part? I doubt it. Harley doesn't recall parts unless there is a safety hazard involved. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 16th, 2009, 11:37 PM	#4
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,907 My Mood:	Re: Speed sensor rev a Unfortuanately the HD part number system only changes "Alpha" number and does not change the revision part number par se, unlike most vendors who change part number suffix (usually 2 or 3 digits after part number) if actual major part change and Alpha letter only for minor changes (like vendor change or cosmetic). For example, on the starter clutch on my Sporty, I recently replaced you could see MOCO changed the press in bearing and seal part numbers (could not tell if there were changes to the internal clutch) going from rev A to rev C, so it is hard to say what that revision changes really do, or measurement criteria for degree of change. Obviously if really major change, they would change part number to something totally different. __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Nov 18th, 2009, 11:55 AM	#5
06SuperG Start The Engine Ride: 2006 Super Glide Custom Join Date: Oct 13th, 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 49 My Mood:	Re: Speed sensor rev a Last summer, while on a 300 mile ride my speedo when hay wire also, so I had to cut my trip short. Not sure what else might fail and didn't want to be stranded. I determined it was the VSS. I talked to my local service mgr and he said he replaced his 3 times on his 03, so I set up an appointment to get mine changed after he ordered the part. In the mean time, I went for a rind the following weekend and had no issues. What ever was clogging or attached to it the week before was gone. To date, I have not changed it and it's been 1200 miles.

Nov 18th, 2009, 04:05 PM	#6
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,049 My Mood:	Re: Speed sensor rev a If it gave you a problem in the past, it will be back again. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 18th, 2009, 11:02 PM	#7
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,907 My Mood:	Re: Speed sensor rev a Glider, you said it...when something fails, consider it a warning...after that it could fail at a particularly terrible time...like in traffic or deep in the woods. Certainly don't want to gamble with Murphy controlling the house... __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

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Speed sensor rev a

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