05 Nomad 1600 Speedometer/Odometer

kenomni · 10-03-2021, 09:05 PM

My 05 Nomad 1600 all of a sudden has an issue; the speedometer/odometer and self cancelling function of the turn signals do not work. I'm trying to rule out some things. The speed sensor looks ok and it has a good ground, measured at its' connector. Does anyone know how I can properly check the sensor and speedometer before throwing parts at it?
Thanks;
Ken

redjay · 10-03-2021, 09:56 PM

How old is your battery ?

andyvh1959 · 10-04-2021, 12:06 AM

If your bike starts and runs, and other functions like the high beam and horn work I doubt the battery has much to do with it. For sure, make certain the battery voltage is up by charging it. But it could just be a failure at the connector to the speedo/odo/signal controller. They're all in integrated into each other, so since all three failed I'd first inspect the wiring to the gauge set, inspect the connector at the gauge set, then follow the wiring down to the speed sensor connector. The speed sensor on the 1600 is located at the bevel gear housing out of the transmission, reading a sensor ring on the driveshaft.

The factory manual specifies, going by memory now, 800hz 5v square wave signal into the speedo to register 60 mph. The factory manual specifies which pins on the speedo/odometer to access to power the gauge set, and which pins give it the signal to confirm it works. The manual specs a Kawasaki meter to test the gauges, which is really just an adjustable square wave signal generator. I bought a $13 signal generator on Amazon to test the VN1700 gauge set I'm installing on my 1600. I posted a more detailed thread about using the signal generator to roll up the miles on the 1700 gauge set I bought. I was able to confirm the speedometer/odometer works and adjust the miles to match my original speedo/odo. If you search my name "andyvh1959" you'll find the details on that project and it should help direct you to sourcing the cause of your gauge issues. Otherwise, a lot of it is in a post "1600 Nomad to Voyager conversion".

The signal generator did the job for me. I was able to "bench ride" the 1700 speedo at 100 mph and accumulated over 10,000 miles on it to match the miles to my bike. Using the same signal generator you'd be able to confirm if your speedo/odo respond to a specific input signal. If it doesn't respond then at least it confirms the gauge set has an issue, and you can shop Ebay for a replacement if needed (or I sell the original speedo/odo off my 1600).

kenomni · 10-06-2021, 12:10 PM

At first I thought it might be the battery, which was a few years old. Figured I could use a new battery anyway. The new one did not fix the issue.
I'll look into getting a signal generator and try to figure out how to use it. I'll check out your link Andy. Thank you.

Tamej · 10-06-2021, 03:02 PM

Think about this. You said you have no speedo/odo and self canceling turn signals.
Both of them need pulses from the speed sensor. You measured "ground" at the speed sensor? It should have one ground there and two leads that show some Ohms between them. The factory manual shows how to test. Page16-93 on mine.
The sensor outputs in A/C voltage(no ground).
My bet is a pinched wire to ground somewhere. Follow the wiring.

10-03-2021, 09:05 PM	#1
kenomni Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tarpon Springs, FL Posts: 15	05 Nomad 1600 Speedometer/Odometer My 05 Nomad 1600 all of a sudden has an issue; the speedometer/odometer and self cancelling function of the turn signals do not work. I'm trying to rule out some things. The speed sensor looks ok and it has a good ground, measured at its' connector. Does anyone know how I can properly check the sensor and speedometer before throwing parts at it? Thanks; Ken Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-04-2021, 12:06 AM	#3
andyvh1959 Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Green Bay WI Posts: 775	If your bike starts and runs, and other functions like the high beam and horn work I doubt the battery has much to do with it. For sure, make certain the battery voltage is up by charging it. But it could just be a failure at the connector to the speedo/odo/signal controller. They're all in integrated into each other, so since all three failed I'd first inspect the wiring to the gauge set, inspect the connector at the gauge set, then follow the wiring down to the speed sensor connector. The speed sensor on the 1600 is located at the bevel gear housing out of the transmission, reading a sensor ring on the driveshaft. The factory manual specifies, going by memory now, 800hz 5v square wave signal into the speedo to register 60 mph. The factory manual specifies which pins on the speedo/odometer to access to power the gauge set, and which pins give it the signal to confirm it works. The manual specs a Kawasaki meter to test the gauges, which is really just an adjustable square wave signal generator. I bought a $13 signal generator on Amazon to test the VN1700 gauge set I'm installing on my 1600. I posted a more detailed thread about using the signal generator to roll up the miles on the 1700 gauge set I bought. I was able to confirm the speedometer/odometer works and adjust the miles to match my original speedo/odo. If you search my name "andyvh1959" you'll find the details on that project and it should help direct you to sourcing the cause of your gauge issues. Otherwise, a lot of it is in a post "1600 Nomad to Voyager conversion". The signal generator did the job for me. I was able to "bench ride" the 1700 speedo at 100 mph and accumulated over 10,000 miles on it to match the miles to my bike. Using the same signal generator you'd be able to confirm if your speedo/odo respond to a specific input signal. If it doesn't respond then at least it confirms the gauge set has an issue, and you can shop Ebay for a replacement if needed (or I sell the original speedo/odo off my 1600). __________________ My $1200 Vulcan, to start from. Last edited by andyvh1959; 10-04-2021 at 12:25 AM.
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10-06-2021, 03:02 PM	#5
Tamej Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 24	Think about this. You said you have no speedo/odo and self canceling turn signals. Both of them need pulses from the speed sensor. You measured "ground" at the speed sensor? It should have one ground there and two leads that show some Ohms between them. The factory manual shows how to test. Page16-93 on mine. The sensor outputs in A/C voltage(no ground). My bet is a pinched wire to ground somewhere. Follow the wiring. Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by Tamej; 10-06-2021 at 03:08 PM.
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10-03-2021, 09:56 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,017	How old is your battery ?
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10-06-2021, 12:10 PM	#4
kenomni Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tarpon Springs, FL Posts: 15	At first I thought it might be the battery, which was a few years old. Figured I could use a new battery anyway. The new one did not fix the issue. I'll look into getting a signal generator and try to figure out how to use it. I'll check out your link Andy. Thank you.
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