yeah this has been posted on this forum already in the recent past, but it didn't get much attention before, and I am having the exact same problem...

My speedo doesn't work when I start the car. After a few minutes it sometimes will turn on, usually more quickly if I turn the heater on. When this happens my odometer doesn't work either. What's happening?


Modified by NJEK at 7:54 AM 6/6/2008

 

I found a solution!!! (maybe)

This problem is all over the net. People are clearly confused and MOST of the forum posts are recommending changing the VSS and the cluster, followed by 1 guy saying "Thanx, that worked," and 15 people saying "HEY I JUST SPENT $400 AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!" A lot of times people with this speedo problem are blowing fuse 15 every time they start the car, and the problem seems to get progressively worse over time. Also, like with mine, several people noticed that having the heater on made a difference. So...apparently there is either a short or a loose connection somewhere, right?

Well, I searched dozens of forums, and a couple of them eventually led me in the right direction. They say that behind the intake manifold the wires rub and get exposed (I think they are referring to the firewall wearing away the insulation and then the wire grounds out on the firewall). I guess all you need to do is get in there and put some electrical tape on the bare spots, then make sure fuse 15 is still good. Everyone reported *problem solved* after doing this.

I will do this today and let you know.

If you try this and it works, PLEASE, hit the forums and get the word out. There are TONS of VERY frustrated Honda owners out there spending cash on worthless repairs and being stuck with the same problem.


Modified by NJEK at 11:25 PM 6/7/2008