carchameleon

a 95 civic ex automatic
its my girlfriend's car.
the speedometer flutters and doesn't show the right speed.
she is a very nervous driver so it would be nice if i could fix it for her. would be nice if it were something easy and stupid. i replaced the VSS but it didn't change anything. i changed that after reading a few different forums about guys having the same issues that it took care of.
i'm just getting into working on honda's, so any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks very much

Former User

Is CEL code 17 being thrown? If not, the cluster/speedo or the wire running between the VSS and speedo may bad.

carchameleon

i have to read the cel, but i don't think its a code that has to do with the speedo problem.
is the wire between the vss&cluster obvious which one it is?

tlarimer

iTrader: (3)

Just had the exact same thing on my 93 Civic SI, replaced the speedo and problem solved. Have had this happen on 2 civics I have owned throughout the years and both times I opened the cluster, replaced the speedo and never had a problem again.

carchameleon

i called the junk yard and they have one for $40
i went to look in the classifieds section on here and feel like an idiot b/c i can't find it...
is that a good deal and a good way to go?

thanks for all the help

carchameleon

haha, i just found the classifieds
skimmed over it before... marketplace...

tlarimer

iTrader: (3)

$40 isn't bad, I usually look for a cluster out of a DX, if all you need is the speedo.
I am in no way saying that this will fix your speedo problem, just giving you another idea to solve the problem. I just dont want to come off as giving you a fix that didnt fix the problem.
As Ron said it may be bad wiring as well.

carchameleon

i understand, i appreicate the thoughts and advice
as i said, i replaced the vehicle speed sensor with only reading forums and talking to people. i should know better, i'm not planning on throwing anymore parts at it until i check a few things. including the cel.
is there a way to check the speedometer?
i will check the wire and just look at everything

why the cluster out of a DX? is there a big difference from an EX?

tlarimer

iTrader: (3)

You can usually get the DX cluster with no Tach for $25, and if all you need out of the cluster is the speedo, why spend more money than you have to. You can swap the speedo from donor cluster into your EX cluster. It's just 3 screws on the back that hold the speedo into the cluster.

carchameleon

that sounds like a good way to go
just have to find one now (and check the other few things)

Former User

Why don't you think code 17 is being thrown? What other codes are being thrown?

carchameleon

i haven't read it yet, but it started after her radiator was worked on
i'm not sure when i'll be able to read the code, but i'll post it when i get it.

Former User

All you need is 5 minutes and a short piece of wire or a paper clip to pull the codes.

See the forum CEL sticky.

If you have code 17, then replacing the cluster is unlikely to fix the problem.

carchameleon

good to know, thanks
i'll take a look at that and see, thanks

gtstwincam

I have the same problem with my 95 vx. Speedo works only in the early morning when cold but malfunctions when the engine warms up. I get an intermittent CEL 17. I replaced the VSS, changed the VSS harness plug end, the speedo head twice and the entire cluster assy twice... Still the problem exists. I inspected the wiring harness and found no open wirings or shorts.. No wiring rubbing on intake manifolds or anything..

Im out of ideas. Just learned to live with it

ben98gs

Currently about to the same point as you, but I would still like to get it fixed... If for nothing else I really like to calculate and see what fuel economy I am getting. Hard to calculate when the odometer does not work.

I replaced the VSS, check the harness plug, no corrosion, wires in place where they should be, no problems/cuts in the wires at least until it reaches the main harness (which is only like 8" or so), swapped out the speedometer/whole cluster, but still get no reading on the speedometer and odometer.

Anyone ever had this problem and fix it after replacing all the "common" things that seem to fix everyone else's car?

gtstwincam

Still no progress... I have a spare ecu im going to swap out and see if that changes anythng

carchameleon

i have a jy cluster that i haven't had a chance to put in yet. i'm hoping that it fixes it. she's getting a gps, so she'll have that for knowing speed if the cluster doesn't fix it.
hopefully putting the cluster in will fix it...

also have to look at the cel again, its not 17, but i forgot what it is, i need to find a paperclip to use and then read that thread again.

gtstwincam

Update: installed a new ecu - problem still there.

Rewired vss by bypassing the harness and going straight past the harness plug on left shock tower - still no luck.

riley431

Same place I'm at on a 92 hatch. Driving me nuts. I have been dealing with it for a couple years. Over it now. Thinking new harness.

B_CRUZ!

I'm having the same issue as well...

*Replaced VSS
*Checked connector plug
*Replaced speedometer/cluster

*bump

Former User

Check all VSS signal wires for a short.

HatchbackSqueegee

Is everyone having the problem with just the speed o? Is anyone having problem with extra sensitive/ not working gas gauge?

I'm also curious at what mileage did this start for everyone? (did odometer stop working too?)

tunedX

iTrader: (1)

umm me too :D

but din't replace VSS or cluster, just cleaned the VSS, I get some CEL, will check tomorrow...

Libertariat

Speedo?

Edit: to add some input, one time my o2 sensor wires got yanked out driving on some wooded property, and my speedo didn't work. However it did throw a CEL. BUT I plugged the wires in wrong at first and the speedo still didn't work, but no CEL. Wouldn't hurt to check your o2 sensor wiring also.

Not sure how the two correlate, but thought I'd share the "speedo" issue I'd had in the past.