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Speedometer, odometer, dash board lights failed

9.1K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  roadrash76  
#1 ·
Yesterday, while riding my ,'03 VTX 1800C, the speedometer failed (showed 0 mph), the odometer / trip display was blank, and the dashboard lights were out (except for the neutral indicator).

Is this a simple loose coupling, or a fuse, or is this indicative of a much more serious problem?

If simple, where might I look to re-attach the coupling, or replace the fuse?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Jay
 
#4 ·
It's behind the right side cover. I bet your running lights are out on the rear, but brake and turns come on, too. I had this happen to me, someone broke one of the lines to the rear stuff, and it would blow the fuse.

oh...and....

HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!
 
#6 ·
The same fuse powers the tail light (running light)
and the license plate light.

But the brakelight has it's own fuse separate from the taillight.

If you have a Hondaline lightbar, the Hondaline lightbar gets it's power from
the same fuse as the taillight and the instrument lights.

Sometimes when guys replace the bulbs in the lightbar with 55 watt H-3 halogen
bulbs, it causes that fuse to blow. The stock Honda bulbs are lower wattage
maybe 25 watts or 35 watts.

Other times the problem is due to an aftermarket sidemounted taillight,
or wiring inside the rear fender being pinched between the fender and the
inner fender support or insulation torn by one of the bolts that go thru
the chrome fender grabrail and into the inner fender support.
 
#7 ·
The same fuse powers the tail light (running light)
and the license plate light.

But the brakelight has it's own fuse separate from the taillight.

If you have a Hondaline lightbar, the Hondaline lightbar gets it's power from
the same fuse as the taillight and the instrument lights.

Sometimes when guys replace the bulbs in the lightbar with 55 watt H-3 halogen
bulbs, it causes that fuse to blow. The stock Honda bulbs are lower wattage
maybe 25 watts or 35 watts.

Other times the problem is due to an aftermarket sidemounted taillight,
or wiring inside the rear fender being pinched between the fender and the
inner fender support or insulation torn by one of the bolts that go thru
the chrome fender grabrail and into the inner fender support.
I am having the same problem with my 1300C. My speedo works, and so do the oil pressure and neutral lights. What doesn't work are the high beam indicator and the turn signal indicators and the speedo backlight. Also the rear running lights do not work. But my brake light works fine as do all of my turn signals.

I checked all of my fuses, all seemed good but I changed them all anyway. I also checked the battery cables and both are in good order and secured. Also checked the ground cable from the batter to the left rear of the motor where it is bolted and it also looked good. Lastly checked the wire harness connected in front of the tank and that is also good. Problem only surfaced a day after the tank was removed for a valve check and adjustment. No wires were cut or pinched. I am at a loss.
 
#9 ·
I am having the same problem with my 1300C. My speedo works, and so do the oil pressure and neutral lights. What doesn't work are the high beam indicator and the turn signal indicators and the speedo backlight. Also the rear running lights do not work. But my brake light works fine as do all of my turn signals.

I checked all of my fuses, all seemed good but I changed them all anyway. I also checked the battery cables and both are in good order and secured. Also checked the ground cable from the batter to the left rear of the motor where it is bolted and it also looked good. Lastly checked the wire harness connected in front of the tank and that is also good. Problem only surfaced a day after the tank was removed for a valve check and adjustment. No wires were cut or pinched. I am at a loss.
Roadrash I applaud you for using the search, but don't add to an old thread. Not an old 1800 thread......
Rear running lights???? NO rear running lights in the rear turn signal units. A tail light and license plate light--YES. Speedo and tail light on the same fuse but you said speedo works.
TS indicators powered from TS/horn/brake fuse.
High beam indicator is powered by headlight fuse.

Back to green connectors. That is the common point......You had the tank off, did you unplug the connectors or remove the speedo unit from the tank??

Go back and check your green connectors. It is easy to push a connector pin back and lose continuity.
1/8" is all it takes, examine carefully.
 
#10 ·
Roadrash I applaud you for using the search, but don't add to an old thread. Not an old 1800 thread......
Rear running lights???? NO rear running lights in the rear turn signal units. A tail light and license plate light--YES. Speedo and tail light on the same fuse but you said speedo works.
TS indicators powered from TS/horn/brake fuse.
High beam indicator is powered by headlight fuse.

Back to green connectors. That is the common point......You had the tank off, did you unplug the connectors or remove the speedo unit from the tank??

Go back and check your green connectors. It is easy to push a connector pin back and lose continuity.
1/8" is all it takes, examine carefully.
I couldn't find another thread that was as close to my problem as this one. But anyway, before I read your comment, I actually found the problem. One of the wires from the connectors under the tank was a bit loose. Pushed it back into place and all is well again. Regarding the rear tail light, the brake light worked, but not the red running light function. Turns out that the bulb was a bit loose there as well. Re-adjusted the bulb and now that works as well. All is good.

Thanks for your reply.