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[SteveFLHTK]

I've had one of these electronic dipsticks on my bike since my '08 was new.  When I traded, I kept the electronic dipstick and moved it to my 2010.  Over the years I've heard people complain about these things a lot.  Seems in a lot of cases, they last a year or 2 and then become unusable, for whatever reason.  Well, mine finally became unusable.  Over time, the display was obscured more and more, finally getting to the point it was unreadable.  When I did my 15k oil change yesterday, I opted to put the stock dipstick back in.

Well, as some of you know, I'm Jewish.  In keeping with that particular stereotype, I'm somewhat hesitant to toss something I paid $150 for, even if it was several years ago.  Yesterday, when I finished with the bike, I started to take the dipstick apart.  Easy enough to get it partially apart, as you need to do that anyway, to face the thing properly when it's installed.  Problem was, the circuit board uses VERY small torx screws to hold it together.  Today I stopped by Sears and got a small torx screwdriver set, not being sure of the size (smallest I had was a T-10).  Found the right size, took it apart, cleaned out all the oil buildup, put it back together.....works fine now.  Screwdrivers cost me $10, a new dipstick (if I got one) would have been $150 (less any discounts).  Took me maybe 15 minutes, once I had the right tools.

Moral of the story, don't throw them out if it happens to you...just clean it up.

[spydglide]

Well, since you got one of the few that ever worked longer than a year, it was definitely worth the repair.  spyder

[SteveFLHTK]

I have to wonder if the reason they don't work more than a year is the same reason I had to open mine up.  They are not very well sealed and they eventually wick oil into the display.

[rayson56]

Nice. Thanks for the info Steve

[dayne66]

How much to have this done at the dealer?

[SteveFLHTK]

$149.99 for a new one.  I doubt anyone at the Dealer would open one up.

[spydglide]

There you go Steve....a repair/refurbish business in the making.  Big demand and steady profits.  You could start collecting the ones around that people are willing to discard due to not working, open em up, fix, re-seal (properly, this time) and sell as refurbished on eBay....I'd buy one from ya.    har.  spyder

[BUCKNUT GREG]

There you go Steve....a repair/refurbish business in the making.  Big demand and steady profits.  You could start collecting the ones around that people are willing to discard due to not working, open em up, fix, re-seal (properly, this time) and sell as refurbished on eBay....I'd buy one from ya.    har.  spyder

Ditto on that 

[SteveFLHTK]

I'd really have to look into resealing them, although it seems like a good layer of silicon around the edge of the board would do it.  Ok, so who has one they want to send me?  ;-)

[spydglide]

I'll have to find one Steve.  Might take a few days.  spyder

[mrmagloo]

Not thinking, at the end of last year, I put the dipstick face down on a rag at the end of my lift, and just wasn't thinking. When I went to reinstall after the oil change, the entire cap was full of oil. I too took mine apart and carefully disassembled, or dry everything out. I change the battery while I was at it, and it works like new. Pretty easy job.

[hooligan]

I've cleaned mine a couple of times. Still get an error message once in a while but still works fine.

[Badger Mike]

Thanks I just bought one yesterday, so this will be helpful in the future!

[Jcarl08]

Say gang I purchase my first digital dipstick when they first hit the shelves and it still works.  I gave it to my brother-in-law, after purchasing my SERK.  The barring base did not work for the screw base 110’s.  It still works. I cleaned it out three times replace the battery twice.  I found myself cleaning the screw base after I sat it on its face while changing fluids.  Now I sit the stick through a plastic bottle opening while servicing the bike.  It is so hot in Texas this year I notice an oil spot.  Apparently it is due to hard riding in high ambient heat.  I will service the stick again when the weather cools. 

[HDBaggerDave]

Darn good info.  I know I got one around here someplace. Stopped using it for the same reasons.  Next rainy day project.

Thanks,
Dave