No Speedometer

[37071]

The Speedometer on my 87 K75 worked fine last fall. This spring the speedometer doesn't work at all. The odometer is stationary as well. I took the rear drive off to lube the driveshaft splines just like every winter. The speedometer pick-up goes back in its hole just like it always has. I think the pick-up has quit. Can I fix that?

[gsmetal]

Common problem that doesn't seem you can ever fix. Been there, done that...twice.

Use this link to try and fix it and then, when it still doesn't work, but a new one.

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/speedo-repair1.shtml

[SheRidesABeemer]

Good luck and welcome to the club! None of us really know how many miles we have :scratch
I'm lucky, I just have to toot the horn twice to get my speedo to work. :thumb

[kentuvman]

Hi Gar:

Mine was a bit futzy when I first acquired her (K75S). I'd definitely work on removing and re-seating the sensor wire that goes into the final drive and then follow the wire where I believe it plugs near the bottom of the tank (you don't have to remove the tank. You might check the connection between male & female & spray on some contact cleaner.

[roncooper]

Do your turn signals cancel automatically? If so, then the final drive sensor is working.

[mieczkow]

Like many K75 owners, I also have had issues with the speedo. Or actually, with the connections to the speedo. A couple of things:

1. When I bought my bike the speedo had been rebuilt by Palo Alto Speedometer - they advertise in BMW ON every issue. The bike came with a receipt from the previous owner who said he sent the unit out there to have it rebuilt. They appear to have done a fine job because the speed looks like new and has always function just fine when .....

2. The CONNECTIONS were all sorted....

There is pretty good diagnostic procedure for speedos on IBMWR and there have been many good threads on this topic on the forum. A lot of time it is a wire issue. In my case the connector where the speed sensor hooks into the harness needed to be replaced. Also, at a later time, the wiring in the harness behind the headlight needed fixing...

I have had the unit apart several times - to change to LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs (something I recommend if your going to take the speedo apart), to replace the gasket which seals the body, to put a few little tiny silca gel packs into the unit to eliminate condensation. If your convinced it is in the unit itself and not the connections you might want to see what they have to say at Palo Alto. Rebuild is a lot cheaper than replace.

[CustomSarge]

After a second bike cluster died, there went my spare. Looking at repair/replace $, I built a prototype digital unit (K-Bike pix #787/pg 53). It's been stable since mid last season: stock speedo sensor took a couple tries. I'll share whatever info anybody wants, I just won't build them unless a Lot of interest shows up (never gonna happen). Good luck with the stock units, flexible circuit boards have "interesting" characteristics. Good Hunting... <<<)))

Also, on LED turnsignals to use them without incandescent bulb equivalent load resistors:
In the flasher unit, unsolder the stainless power feed strap end from the circuit board (other end spotwelded to relay frame). I used a .82 ohm 5W resistor in series and it restored a standard cadence. I suspect the value isn't critical (& wattage could be less), but haven't pursued it.

[37071]

I am in San Antonio for March. Great riding weather but it makes me a lo-o-o-ong way from my tools at home. I will be trying the horn blowing trick. It would be really convient if it worked. I noticed that the gear indicator number has become unreliable. Happily the transmission works fine. It looks as if there are some electrical contacts that need TLC. Sadly the turn signal no longer self cancel:doh. That actually takes some getting used to. I do have a reliable reminder to cancel - my wife:blush

[walterK75]

I had my speedometer begin to go on and off. I traced the speedometer wire from the rear end and around the right hand side cover under the saddle there is a socket connecting it to the wire going to the front of the bike. I unplugged this and reconnected it. It solved the problem. I must have removed some corrosion when I unplugged it. I was lucky on this one.

[41077]

My speedo 1986 also failed this spring, it was off and on last fall, road bumps often brought it back to life, this time however I'm not so lucky, I'll start checking those connections when I have time.
Thanks all for the tips.

[37071]

I seemed to have had the electrical connections appart before. They are all greasy and new looking as opposed to green. Now that the condensation in the instrument housing is finally leaving - the gear indicator works as designed. I even tried tooting the horn twice - to no avail:whistle. If I follow traffic, I am near enough to the right speed.