My Speedometer doesn't act right

[ANIMAL]

My speedo seems to only work correctly when it wants. If it's cold out driving anywhere over 30, it will say I'm doing anywhere between 100 and way past 140. Then when it's warm it is 15-20 above or below what I'm actually doing, and sometimes it's dead on. I'm not sure what it's gonna do when it gets hot out but I'm sure it'll be something new. Any ideas on what could be wrong and how to fix will be greatly appreciated.

 

[mroldan9]

Might be the vss (vehicle speed sensor) could be bad or damaged, or check for bad connection somewhere.

A failing vss can sometimes also cause the transmission to start acting up if it's an automatic, and may also cause your power steering to stop working at certain speeds, or at all times. And of course, it will make the speedometer act erratic, and may even stop working altogether.

It should be a relatively inexpensive fix around 20 bucks, and shouldn't take more than about 30 minutes to replace!

Not saying this is for sure the problem, but that's where I would start. Good luck!

 

[SHOZ123]

I had a bad speedo. It would jump around and not be anywhere accurate.

 

[strings1732]

I had a similar issue and my speedo cable was bad. I replaced the upper half of it and the problem got better but it still does it sometimes. The only thing I can assume it is is the speedo itself or the vss.

 

[ANIMAL]

Thanks I will check the vss if its good I'll move to the cable itself thanks for idea of where to start.

 

[Bob Gervais]

I'm assuming you're talking about your 92 in your sig.

The VSS doesn't have anything to do with the speedo reading on this car, it's cable driven (as are all SHOs until '96).

Your problem is either the upper or lower cables, or the speedo unit. My guess is the speedo unit.

 

[whiteguy3]

^ Good correction. The VSS has nothing to do with power steering or speedometer operation.

 

[trainguy1989]

I had a problem like yours. Found out I had a bad bearing in the speedo unit. After that the needle still wiggled pretty badly. So I lubed the cables and all was well. So it was a combination of the two.

 

[whiteguy3]

Typically it is the gears behind the gauge cluster. There was write-up a while ago about how to **** them with a particular lubricant (forget what unless somebody can remind me). They get gummed up. Cleaning them and applying new lubricant did the trick. That is if your cables are already in good working order. The upper and lower cables are the first to check though.

 

[trainguy1989]

Typically it is the gears behind the gauge cluster. There was write-up a while ago about how to **** them with a particular lubricant (forget what unless somebody can remind me). They get gummed up. Cleaning them and applying new lubricant did the trick. That is if your cables are already in good working order. The upper and lower cables are the first to check though.

3 in 1 oil :wave:

 

[ANIMAL]

Ok I lubed the cables and much better but still a little off so I'll be checking the gears and bearings this weekend. Thank you everbody that has given me advice.