I have a 2004 Accord DX and, sometimes, when I turn the ignition to on, the speedometer falls below 0mph. It just drops when I turn the ignition to on. The only way I can get out of this is if I turn the key back one position, let it shoot back up to 0, then turn the key back to on.

This usually only happens when I try to start it up from cold. Any solutions?

Oh, and, if it matters, when I switch my key from the 1st spot to 2nd (to on), the meter flickers/jumps, and I usually just sit and hope it doesn't fall under 0mph.

 

Besides the strange movement at start up, does the speedo work fine all of the time?

 

It works completely fine.

The only problem with it ever reading my speed incorrectly, is if I actually drive off with it starting below 0. It'll rise as if the very bottom was 0mph (for example, if I was accelerating to 40mph, it would gradually rise up like it normally would, but the problem is it'll say 20mph or something in that range). So, it all rises correctly, it just starts at the wrong place.

 

Have you tried to check for DTC's in the gauge unit? It has a self diagnostic function.

 

You lost me there. Not really sure of what you're talking about. Care to elaborate, please?

 

The gauge unit/head has a "self test" feature.....not saying this is going to tell us anything or fix anything but it is free and cost nothing and "might" shead some light.

This is part of the test, you have to "start/enter" the self test mode of the gauge unit to get to this point.

If you don't have a manual I can try to type out the steps. Might take me a bit or someone might have already posted it before.