I recently purchased a 2003 Vinson 500.
After replacing a few wheel bearings, brakes and rebuilding the carb it runs beautifully
All electronics worked when riding around the yard, and in the woods near my home, until I replaced a failing battery.
Took it on the trails this week and the speedometer and odometer are intermittent (more off than on)
All the LEDs in the pod work, but the speed reads zero and the miles aren't increasing. Except for a couple times when everything worked OK.

I'm thinking the speed sensor is failing but before I drop almost $100 on a replacement, can anyome offer any other ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Jim

 

If it is just the speedo readings it probably is the sensor or the wires from it. Don't know about the Vinson, but the 450 to 750 King Quads have the sensor where it gets kicked by the riders heel and broken. There is a plastic cover, but you have to remove it to check the oil (pre 2014 models) and, of course, owners don't put it back. King Quads are also prone to getting water in the speedo head circuit board, which blanks the screen altogether. A simple bridge of solder, along the corroded track on the board, cures that.

 

Thanks Merryman
The speedo head is fine so I doubt the issue is there. All the LEDs light up and even the speed reading works intermittent
On the Vinson the speed sensor is pretty well protected and is farther in from the footwell.
I was wondering how likely the sensor is to just “fail”, and if it starts to fail could it come back for short periods.
I’ll start with tracing the wiring back and cleaning and greasing the connections.

 

Honda fitted similar speed sensors in the front diff on 400 auto, 450 and 500 models, they have to agree with one another, or the computer kicks the 4WD out of engagement (why?)
They do go wrong, but I have never had to replace one for the speedo. However most farmers, who comprise our customers, couldn't care less if the speedo works or not.

 

Thanks again Merryman.
I know it's a small thing, but I just like things to work the way they should.
I also like the odometer to be somewhat close to accurate.

Problem resolved though.
I pulled the connector off the sensor and noticed a little white corrosion. Cleaned it as best as I could, sprayed it down with MAF sensor cleaner, sprayed it with a little silicone spray and it works again.

If it acts up again I'll get some electrical contact cleaner and dielectric grease and fix it right.

Thanks again for the guidance..