Odometer works, speedometer stuck at 0

[moonwalker]

Searched the forum and wiki but couldn't find anything useful so far.

Problem is in subj. This morning did the usual checks (tires, levels, lights, etc.), got on a bike, but when I started moving noticed that speedometer is stuck dead at 0. So I turned around, parked it, and went to work in a cage (didn't really have time to look for the cause of the problem at that moment). Now I just took my bike for a short ride around my parking lot to check if odometer is out too, but it was apparently working while speedometer was still stuck at 0, which I guess means problem is not with cable. At some point half way through the loop around my apartment complex speedometer suddenly kicked in and seemed to show correct speed without any jumping around. I've read about gears going bad but I would assume in that case my speedo needle would be shaking or jumping around whereas mine was steady, first steady stuck at 0 then steady showing current speed. Does anyone have any idea how I can figure out what's the problem and prevent it from happening in the future?

[Whiskey]

Double check the cable, I've had it appear to be on correctly, but the internal shaft was out of alignment, speedo went from working perfectly to stuck at 0mph. A second check showed it had disconnected.

I didn't think to check if it had stopped the odo.

Its a few seconds to check it & reconnect it

[red5]

If the odometer works, the cable is fine. The speedo is driven by a magnet and sometimes the needle can get stuck. You may be able to disassemble and clean/lube if it happens again. I've done old auto clusters but never the 250.

[Chicagobob]

May be time for a new speedo. Many are available on eBay. Maybe you can reduce your mileage that way.

[alex.s]

pull off the speedo cable and check for damage- this takes all of 30 seconds. if its not damaged (its easy to tell) then your speedometer has damage. disassemble the gauge and check for damage.

[Adaptive]

My speedo and tach (and recently fuel gauge) all get stuck at random, and it has to do with them getting hot and sticking to the little pin they rest on. I actually replaced the entire cluster and had the problem develop on the new one too.

I think the problem is that the little resting pin is black, and it heats up in the sun, along with a bit of moisture getting in there. I know this because when you pull the glass off the cluster you can literally feel how it's stuck to the resting pin. Next time I open it up, I plan on doing something to the resting pin to keep the needle from sticking to it.

I only mention this because it may not be a cable issue. It wasn't for me, and replacing the cluster was a waste of time.

[Alex]

That's a new one! I hadn't heard of that being a possible cause before.

[Adaptive]

Originally Posted by Alex

That's a new one! I hadn't heard of that being a possible cause before.

Haha, yeah. I made the realization after noticing the issue was intermittent, and thinking of the movies with pilots flicking the gauges. Flicking doesn't work for me, but I can reliably "fix" it temporarily by punching the cluster with my gloved hand a couple times, preferably at some speed since the needle ought to be moving up then. I bet it's a great site to see someone punching their cluster while riding...

[IF13]

Even after its been turned off.

The hell?

[Alex]

/merged

Looks like the OP had the same issue, so we can collect any fixes in one place. Good luck!

[IF13]

Originally Posted by Alex

/merged

Looks like the OP had the same issue, so we can collect any fixes in one place. Good luck!

But mine's stuck on 30, not 0. And it has been over 12 hours so it can't just be humidity or heat keeping it stuck.

Ugh. I've no idea how fast I'm going now. Lol

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by IF13

But mine's stuck on 30, not 0. And it has been over 12 hours so it can't just be humidity or heat keeping it stuck.

Ugh. I've no idea how fast I'm going now. Lol

Wait until is sunny out and put some heat on the base of that needle using a magnifier to concentrate the rays.

[IF13]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Wait until is sunny out and put some heat on the base of that needle using a magnifier to concentrate the rays.

-_-

Now it's stuck at 20...something's making the needle sticky.

[moonwalker]

Ah, was sick and haven't been riding for a while.

The issue is intermittent in my case indeed, and it seems to be happening only on or after hot days, so I suspect that just like in Adaptive's case my bike also has the SSNS - Sticky Speedometer Needle Syndrome. I also found the same case on some other forum too, can't find the link in my history.

[IF13]

Originally Posted by moonwalker

Ah, was sick and haven't been riding for a while.

The issue is intermittent in my case indeed, and it seems to be happening only on or after hot days, so I suspect that just like in Adaptive's case my bike also has the SSNS - Sticky Speedometer Needle Syndrome. I also found the same case on some other forum too, can't find the link in my history.

Yeah my needle seems to be sticky. On the highway, it'll creep up to 50 and stay there even though I know I'm doing..."slightly" more. Lol

[moonwalker]

Originally Posted by IF13

Yeah my needle seems to be sticky. On the highway, it'll creep up to 50 and stay there even though I know I'm doing..."slightly" more. Lol

Hm, that sounds a lot more serious than what I observe, if I were you I'd service/replace it immediately and wouldn't ride until it's fixed.

[IF13]

Originally Posted by moonwalker

Hm, that sounds a lot more serious than what I observe, if I were you I'd service/replace it immediately and wouldn't ride until it's fixed.

Serious?

I mean, it's not like the bike's creeping up to 50, the needle is. I know I'm already doing 70 seconds after leaving the entrance ramp. Lol

[moonwalker]

Originally Posted by IF13

Serious?

I mean, it's not like the bike's creeping up to 50, the needle is. I know I'm already doing 70 seconds after leaving the entrance ramp. Lol

Eh, I'd feel very uneasy not knowing my exact speed.

[IF13]

I've driven on the highway so many times (big reason why I bought the 15T - EDIT: Which has yet to be installed) that I jut know I'm doing around 65 at 8-9K, 6th gear.

It's the local roads I get weary about.

[headsmess]

Originally Posted by red5

If the odometer works, the cable is fine. The speedo is driven by a magnet and sometimes the needle can get stuck. You may be able to disassemble and clean/lube if it happens again. I've done old auto clusters but never the 250.

howdy folks. sorry if im doing a zombie raising on this thread, but obviously i just got a ninja250(re-acquainting myself with kawasaki after i sold my gpz750 several years ago) and had this issue. speedo not working, where the odo does.

this is the only sensible post i have come across, so i thought i would chuck my 2 cents worth in.

the speedo needle is, indeed, a magnetic drive, just like every other mechanical speedo i have fiddled with. no physical connection to the cable or odo. it just uses lenz's law(induced eddy currents), and is held back by a spring to restrict its rotation.

the odo works, so yes, the cable is fine. sick of seeing posts about "check your cable".

very simple fix... dismantle panel, remove speedo from cluster. did i say simple? its a prick to get the fairings off the first time! one has to learn these things though

the needle is attached to an aluminium bowl looking thing, all you have to do is pour a few cc of kero or other solvent (do NOT use acetone! it eats ABS and i reckon the dial is ABS) in the bowl, and a squirt behind the needle itself, get any gunk out of the needle bearings!

isopropyl alcohol in a spray can is really good

a slight wriggle back and forth in the axis of the shaft, few half turns of the needle (dont overdo it or you damage the very fine hairspring which will stuff your calibration right up) and it should bounce off the zero stop, rather than be sluggish getting to 0.
and presto...when you stick a nail up the drive hole, give it a spin, the needle responds instantly.

rinse and repeat, but... do not use oil/grease!

graphite might be an option to lube it, but by using oil, it tends to gum up and make things stick...

hope it helps someone else. its the same basic problem with any speedo really.

[JohnnyBravo]

That's a whale of a first post

Originally Posted by headsmess

howdy folks. sorry if im doing a zombie raising on this thread, but obviously i just got a ninja250(re-acquainting myself with kawasaki after i sold my gpz750 several years ago) and had this issue. speedo not working, where the odo does.

this is the only sensible post i have come across, so i thought i would chuck my 2 cents worth in.

the speedo needle is, indeed, a magnetic drive, just like every other mechanical speedo i have fiddled with. no physical connection to the cable or odo. it just uses lenz's law(induced eddy currents), and is held back by a spring to restrict its rotation.

the odo works, so yes, the cable is fine. sick of seeing posts about "check your cable".

very simple fix... dismantle panel, remove speedo from cluster. did i say simple? its a prick to get the fairings off the first time! one has to learn these things though

the needle is attached to an aluminium bowl looking thing, all you have to do is pour a few cc of kero or other solvent (do NOT use acetone! it eats ABS and i reckon the dial is ABS) in the bowl, and a squirt behind the needle itself, get any gunk out of the needle bearings!

isopropyl alcohol in a spray can is really good

a slight wriggle back and forth in the axis of the shaft, few half turns of the needle (dont overdo it or you damage the very fine hairspring which will stuff your calibration right up) and it should bounce off the zero stop, rather than be sluggish getting to 0.
and presto...when you stick a nail up the drive hole, give it a spin, the needle responds instantly.

rinse and repeat, but... do not use oil/grease!

graphite might be an option to lube it, but by using oil, it tends to gum up and make things stick...

hope it helps someone else. its the same basic problem with any speedo really.