The speedometer is a tool that can be used to determine the speed of a vehicle by taking information from the drive shaft and transmission. The engine control unit will then convert the rotational speed of the drive shaft into the linear speed of the vehicle. After that, it forwards the information to the speedometer, so that if the tool is not functioning properly, it can potentially pose a safety threat.
Causes of Speedometer Not Working
The speedometer will monitor the speed of the vehicle using a speed sensor through the speed of the rotating wheels. This sensor then adds the data into a number of miles per hour which is displayed on a digital screen or analog dial.
Signs of speedometer failure include:
- The speedometer needle is at zero
- The needle jumps not according to speed
- The needle is at a certain speed and does not change
A motorcycle speedometer that does not work when in use indicates several potential problems. This can affect the rider’s ability to accurately measure driving speed. In addition, it can result in speed limit violations, safety risks when driving, and legal consequences. Therefore, it is important to immediately address if the speedometer stops working.
The following are common causes of damage to the speedometer:
Damaged Cables and Connectors
If the speedometer is damaged, then do a careful inspection of the problematic or short-circuited cable. This is useful for maintaining vehicle stability.
Damaged Speed Sensor
A faulty sensor can cause irregularities in the speedometer. Solve this by checking the sensor, and then making sure the related cables are connected properly.
How to Overcome a Speedometer Not Working
If the speedometer is not working, it requires appropriate action. First, use a diagnostic tool to identify certain error codes to help determine the problem. Providing codes will provide a clear understanding of the components that are causing the speedometer not to work.
If the sensor or drive mechanism is damaged, visit an authorized service center or professional workshop. This is the most appropriate choice to ensure a more effective replacement.
Then if the speedometer is damaged, seek help from a qualified technician. Because if you try to fix it yourself, it can pose various risks.
The SAI REPAIR YouTube channel provides a tutorial on how to check the speedometer cable and speedometer gear for damage. Check the cable from the speedometer gear assembly, press the cable and make sure it is all down, turn it counterclockwise, and check for deflection in the needle. If there is, it means the cable is in good condition. However, if there is no deflection, it means the cable is broken or not connected to the speedometer.
To check the speedometer gear, insert the speedometer cable into the gear assembly. Check whether the cable rotates together or not. If the cable rotates, then the speedometer gear is fine. But if it doesn’t rotate, it means you need to replace the speedometer gear.
If the motorcycle has a disc brake on the front tire, there are two possible problems. First, the gear is worn out. Then the second is a small round steel plate to rotate the bent or damaged gear.
If you have done the sequence of these steps correctly, the non-functioning motorcycle speedometer will show the correct reading when the tire rotates. Then when the wheel stops, the speedometer needle will immediately point to zero. /nen
