Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL

Speedo Works randomly

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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 03:25 PM
  #1  
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Default Speedo Works randomly

At first I thought it was the cold weather hampering the speedo. But it was 55F today and it still worked sporatically. Im thinking it is the VSS.
How much do those suckers cost?
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 07:13 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

I wonder if there is a CEL?
I wonder WHAT YEAR?
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 07:35 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by TheShallot
At first I thought it was the cold weather hampering the speedo. But it was 55F today and it still worked sporatically. Im thinking it is the VSS.
How much do those suckers cost?
TAS gets 108$ for the puppy.
Majestic Honda may be cheaper (surprisingly).
Ebay is sometime an option, But I question the quality of many ebay items.
You'll find it under the distributor; mounted to the transmission case.
It looks like this:



P
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:42 AM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

google honda VSA repair and try to fix it yourself first.....you can save yourself a big chunk of change
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 11:56 AM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by hondadude
I wonder if there is a CEL?
I wonder WHAT YEAR?

Is that your cute little way of asking a question?

If so no, no check engine light. Its a 1994 4-door with a V-tec

Maybe I can get one from a junk yard?
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:01 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

def. the speed sensor. snag one from a junkyard or the dealer.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:02 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Probably not the VSS since there is no CEL. It may be the speedometer circuit board. You can just replace the speedometer printed circuit board (PCB) so that you retain the original odometer reading. Once you get the instrument cluster out, just gently pull the separate speedometer circuit board out by hand. There are separate PCBs in back of the instrument cluster.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:02 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Actually I can get a new VSS for $58 from this place http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...4,partGroup,18

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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by redbull-1
Probably not the VSS since there is no CEL. It may be the speedometer circuit board. You can just replace the speedometer printed circuit board (PCB) so that you retain the original odometer reading. Once you get the instrument cluster out, just gently pull the separate speedometer circuit board out by hand. There are separate PCBs in back of the instrument cluster.

CRAP!!!!!!!!!! Do I have to take the whole center console out to get to the cluster? Where do I get a circuit board??????? ARRRGH!
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by redbull-1
Probably not the VSS since there is no CEL. It may be the speedometer circuit board. You can just replace the speedometer printed circuit board (PCB) so that you retain the original odometer reading. Once you get the instrument cluster out, just gently pull the separate speedometer circuit board out by hand. There are separate PCBs in back of the instrument cluster.
^^^^^^^^
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:09 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by redbull-1
^^^^^^^^

Okaaaaaay...... but do I have to remove the center console to get to the cluster??? And how does someone get thier hands on a different / new board?
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:10 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by TheShallot
CRAP!!!!!!!!!! Do I have to take the whole center console out to get to the cluster? Where do I get a circuit board??????? ARRRGH!

Yes, you have to remove it. But, it is not that hard, just a little time consuming. You can get the circuit board from a used instrument cluster for the same year, you do not to match the trim level such as DX, LX, EX. Here are links to the removal of the cluster:

http://ledautomotive.com/guide.php?id_cms=40

http://ledautomotive.com/guide.php?id_cms=44

If I get a chance, I'll try to take a picture of the PCB on the back of the cluster for you. Ignore part of the instructions in the links, as you do not need to remove the climate control, only the center console.

Last edited by redbull-1; Nov 13, 2010 at 03:44 PM.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:35 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Once you have the instrument cluster out, press the black clips (7 in total) to release, then remove the 4 philips screws holding the speedometer (first picture).

Second picture is removed speedometer. Just gently pull the circuit board off by hand.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:41 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Thanks man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is this a common problem?
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 12:44 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by TheShallot
Thanks man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is this a common problem?
Yes, with wear.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 01:10 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by redbull-1
Yes, with wear.

The car only has 154K miles on it. Im starting to think thats not accurate.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 01:17 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by TheShallot
The car only has 154K miles on it. Im starting to think thats not accurate.
The car would also be about 14 years old. The pictures are from my former 95, replaced 2-3 years ago. Vibrations, blown capacitors, etc. or poor or loose solder can cause this. You may even be able to fix it by re-soldering the the solder joints.
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 03:51 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Hey guys,
Can this circuit board be repaired or must it be replaced? If it can be fix, what can I do to it to fix it? Capacitors replacement and resoldering points?
Thanks.
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 07:08 AM
  #19  
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by Bad_dude
Hey guys,
Can this circuit board be repaired or must it be replaced? If it can be fix, what can I do to it to fix it? Capacitors replacement and resoldering points?
Thanks.
Anyone knows, please tell me before I order a whole cluster.
Thanks.
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 03:55 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by redbull-1
Once you have the instrument cluster out, press the black clips (7 in total) to release, then remove the 4 philips screws holding the speedometer (first picture).

Second picture is removed speedometer. Just gently pull the circuit board off by hand.
This is the key!! My odometer/speedometer only worked intermittently and i read 169k. The guy who sold me the car already had bought an extra cluster (this odom read 250k) and vehicle speed sensor and left it in the trunk because he didn't know which was the problem. He did tell me there was a problem, though. So after reading this post I ripped apart my dash cluster and found that little memory board that slips right off of the back of the cluster and replaced it with the other circuit board from the other cluster. Presto! I haven't had a speedometer/odometer failure since. The speedometer is accurate and the odometer registers miles. Thank you REDBULL
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Old Sep 15, 2011 | 05:33 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Here is a quick way to check if it is the vss sensor or the speedo circuit board. Go for a test drive and try to set the cruise control while the speedo is not working. If the cruise works then it is not a vss problem. The cruise gets its signal from the vss so if the vss is not sending a signal then obviously the cruise would not engage. I sell a lot of 1994-1997 Accords and this simple test has not failed me yet. Most of the time it is the speedo circuit board and I send them to a speedo repair shop in Richmond, VA and they rebuild it for around $100 and they keep the same miles on the odometer. Just to give you a heads up, once I did have a car that had a bad vss sensor and a bad circuit board but 90% of the time it is just the circuit board. I've tried using salvage yard clusters but in my experience 50% of the time they are bad too. I found it easier and more reliable to just go with a rebuilt unit, plus it has a warranty.

Last edited by hondadude1; Sep 15, 2011 at 05:46 PM. Reason: more info
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Old Sep 15, 2011 | 06:14 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by hondadude1
Here is a quick way to check if it is the vss sensor or the speedo circuit board. Go for a test drive and try to set the cruise control while the speedo is not working. If the cruise works then it is not a vss problem. The cruise gets its signal from the vss so if the vss is not sending a signal then obviously the cruise would not engage. I sell a lot of 1994-1997 Accords and this simple test has not failed me yet. Most of the time it is the speedo circuit board and I send them to a speedo repair shop in Richmond, VA and they rebuild it for around $100 and they keep the same miles on the odometer. Just to give you a heads up, once I did have a car that had a bad vss sensor and a bad circuit board but 90% of the time it is just the circuit board. I've tried using salvage yard clusters but in my experience 50% of the time they are bad too. I found it easier and more reliable to just go with a rebuilt unit, plus it has a warranty.
Well, if you're going to pay $100 for a repair of the speedo circuit board and want reliability and warranty, you might as well buy a new speedo from Honda, list price is around $100, and you can buy cheaper from an on-line Honda dealer. Then pull the new circuit board off the new one and place on old speedo to keep the same mileage. New speedo heads from Honda have warranty.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 09:40 PM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Just want to confirm that the circuit board simply slides off the back of the speedometer and a replacement can then be slid back on?
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 10:07 PM
  #24  
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by flyjazz
Just want to confirm that the circuit board simply slides off the back of the speedometer and a replacement can then be slid back on?
Yep, it only goes on one way too, so you can't really mess up. You just pull it off by hand.
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Old Sep 26, 2011 | 10:12 AM
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Default Re: Speedo Works randomly

Originally Posted by redbull-1
Well, if you're going to pay $100 for a repair of the speedo circuit board and want reliability and warranty, you might as well buy a new speedo from Honda, list price is around $100, and you can buy cheaper from an on-line Honda dealer. Then pull the new circuit board off the new one and place on old speedo to keep the same mileage. New speedo heads from Honda have warranty.
Also, Pick N Pulls will have em. Just go rip out a gauge cluster and get your circuit board. Cost ya $20 Maximum, and a little time, totally worth it.
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