H2O kills the tach

[BadBrad]

Hey guys, me again with the ongoing saga of issues. I've got something a little different this time. After I first got my '05 pitbull, I had it serviced and the shop washed the bike before I picked it up. The tach didn't work on the way home but started working again after everything "dried out". I didn't think much of it until I rode home Wednesday and drove through a down pour, soaking me and the bike. Once again, the tach completely shut down. As the bike started drying out, the tach would flash as if I were reving the motor into the red. I parked it that evening and the next day (after drying out) the tach works properly again. What is it that might be getting wet that would short out my tach? Your help is always appreciated. Thanks

 

[Raywood]

Most likely not the tach board inside the speedo bucket. I would think you have water getting in one of the waterproof connectors. I would also pull my two EHC connections and ensured they are full of die-electric grease. Just be very carefull pulling these.

Keep us posted.

 

[BadBrad]

Waterproof connectors

Thanks Raywood, where are the waterproof connectors you speak of? Should I pull the speedo/tach and backtrace the wiring to the EHC? I'm changing out the EHC on my wife's 03 Mastiff today. I got the one off Ebay for $150 but you never know about electronics until you plug them in. Her EHC is under the tank between the tank halves. I hate to sound to pathetic, but is the 05 EHC found in the same place? I'll pick up some die-electric grease on the way home today just in case. Thanks again for your help. Give me a year and I'll be answering questions for other BD owners with all the experience I'll have on working on mine and my wife's bikes. Have a great weekend!

 

[Raywood]

Thanks Raywood, where are the waterproof connectors you speak of? Should I pull the speedo/tach and backtrace the wiring to the EHC? I'm changing out the EHC on my wife's 03 Mastiff today. I got the one off Ebay for $150 but you never know about electronics until you plug them in. Her EHC is under the tank between the tank halves. I hate to sound to pathetic, but is the 05 EHC found in the same place? I'll pick up some die-electric grease on the way home today just in case. Thanks again for your help. Give me a year and I'll be answering questions for other BD owners with all the experience I'll have on working on mine and my wife's bikes. Have a great weekend!

Your wifes Mastiff and your Pitbull are apples and oranges. Your's is under your seat. Make sure you fill it full of die-electric grease. This is standard practice now and there was an SB issued on it by BDM.
Your tach has connectors between your tanks (quick-disconnects). There is two connectors inside the speedo also but I don't think they are the problem.
Many of us here have sealed up our wiring harness with shrink tubing as an extra precaution but other haven't and had no problems either.

Just for shits and giggles start your bike up and look at your EHC and tell us if you have any fault lits lite up.

 

[bdmridgeback]

The tach ring itself is far from waterproof. It is completely open to all the elements of water and moisture. There is even a huge hole in the bottom of the speedo housing where the wiring goes in that is not water proof at all. When you get even the face of the speedo housing wet, the water ns right into the tack ring and that little bit of resistance shuts it down. The speedometer itself is water resistant, but not the tach and housing.

I took mine all out and sprayed the tach ring down with conformal coating like all your boat electronics are done.

 

[BadBrad]

I'll be home in a few hours and take a look at the fault lights. I'll look into either trying to seal the tach ring or getting some spray that will seal the electrical components. Seems like BDM would have made the tach water resistant too! Of course, they must not get much rain in KS. What were they thinking? We get it most every afternoon hear near New Orleans. Thanks guys. I'll pick up some shrink tubing while I'm getting the die-electric grease. One way or another, I'll make it quit raining.

 

[Raywood]

Seems like BDM would have made the tach water resistant too! Of course, they must not get much rain in KS. What were they thinking? We get it most every afternoon hear near New Orleans. Thanks guys. I'll pick up some shrink tubing while I'm getting the die-electric grease. One way or another, I'll make it quit raining.

I don't think there is an issue with water on the tach board. This last weekend and many others days I've rode through Monsoon weather conditions and have never had an issue with the tach board or with the circuit cards in the hand controls. I still think you have an issue else where like a connection. Could also be a grounded wire. Give your harness a good inspection when you get a chance.

 

[LDO]

Brad,
how far are you from Pensacola?

I'll do a roadtrip and help out with your sick dogs!