I drive a busted *** '91 Civic Si. Today I was on my way to a job interview and the speedometer was working just fine. When I got out of the interview I started it up and noticed the speedometer was no longer functioning. I pull over, turn everything off, wait for about 1 minute and try again. No dice. All the other gauges work just fin AFIK (RPM, tripometer, odometer, ect) but I am getting no reading from the the one that really matters. Luckily I have a GPS unit with a speedometer in it, but I would really like to get the real one working again. Here is where you all might come in.

I am relatively illiterate when it comes to repairing cars. Give me a laptop and I can take it apart, solder to the motherboard and put it back together, but this really doesn't apply to auto repair. I was hoping you all might be able to point me in a direction for troubleshooting. I am too poor to take it to a shop right now, so this would have to be a DIY thing.

And a couple of questions I had;

On my Geo Storm the Speedometer was mechanically operated. Do you all think my Civic would have the same sort of system or would it be computer controlled? Is this something I could realistically identify and repair or am I just a lost cause?

 

its cable speed sensor. its probably just gone out.

 

Thanks! I know this is a lot to ask, but would you happen to have a picture or a diagram of where I can find it and a general idea of how to re-seat it. It's a manual transmission, if that makes any difference.

 

The cable runs from the backside of the cluster to the backside of the transmission, on the top.

 

some pics here near the bottom:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/crx-how-change-tranny-fluid-1325930/

 

just be careful cause sometimes the plastic hard cover on the entire line can separate from the clip on the end. And you have to pinch it back on which is a pain.

 

You all are great. I will try this stuff out tomorrow when I get off of work.

 

have you messed with the cluster or the tranny lately? the cluster is the first place i would check. its more than likely the culprit.