2002 VFR800 gauges not working - anyone had this?

Hi folks! I've just bought my second VFR800 Brilliant bikes. This one has (allegedly) been in storage for a year or so and the clocks aren't working - no speedo, rev counter, temperature, clock, etc. Clock's meant to be on all the time but it doesn't show at all. LEDs come on (neutral, oil, etc).

I've checked the fuses - all good - and removed the clocks to see if there's anything obviously buggered. Not a mark. I'd read about issues with broken power connectors on the PCBs but this looks like this applies to older bikes.

Wondered if anyone had come across a fix for this, or if I'd be better off giving up and buying this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/188560002097 (I'd rather not lose my mileage, though - it's only at about 16k, according to the MOT history)

Any advice much appreciated - thanks in advance.

 

I don't have any specific solution, but the fact that neither the clock or the instruments work would maybe point to an earth fault. This is definitely a known 6th gen issue that causes odd behaviour and could explain what you have. If your clock doesn't work then power is either not reaching it or the earth is broken somewhere, I strongly doubt that the clock and the rest of the instruments would develop some internal fault.

There is a common earth block on the harness (in the nose fairing) where a number of earth wires are joined, this is a plastic block about and inch square usually orange or blue. If this has corroded/melted then you may have a broken return path for the power to the meter. I've not had this issue on my 6th gen but others certainly have. You can check continuity at the plug for the instruments between the earth wires and the chassis. The solid green or green/black wires should always have continuity.

 

Thanks Terry, really good of you to get back to us on this.

For future owners with the same issue: I had a look at the elements you suggested but all looked fine. So I eventually removed the clocks from my old bike and swapped them over: everything lit up perfectly. It does therefore look like it's a problem with the actual unit itself in this case.

Next stage: I've bought the clocks I linked above from eBay and, once I've checked that they're OK, will swap out the innards and get the mileage corrected so that everything matches up again and I can get it away for a fresh MOT.

 

so the clocks are plug and play, was unaware of that, good to know

 

Like with like - seemingly plug and play yes. But I think there was a change from 2006 on models which means the later 6th Gen clocks may not work with earlier 6th Gen models.