So I'm having a problem with my speedometer. It's not that the thing is stuck at any number, it's that it seems to be starting at 60 and moving from that position based on speed--so if I'm going 20, it's reads 80, etc. Disconnecting the battery sets it back at zero temporarily, but it keeps getting stuck in various places over and over again. Any ideas?

Also, I've run the self-diagnostic mode. Needle swept to the top, got stuck/rattled because it couldn't go as far as it wanted, and moved back down to 20. Another round took it to the top and ended on 20 again. Turning the key to II and back off moves the needle down by about 2mph, so I was able to do that to get it all the way down to 0, so it's back where it should be, but I'm certain it will again get stuck in some new position.

ETA: Thought I'd add this, as we've been taking more notes about it: The needle seems to start freaking out when we accelerate rapidly. It begins to climb the speedometer without even pressing the pedal, and typically goes all the way to the top/end of it. Once it gets turned off, it settles at X number on the speedometer as if it's 0.

Honestly, I'm really confused about all this. I don't know a whole lot about speedometers, but it's really not logically making sense to me as to why this would be happening.

 

Do the instrument cluster self-diagnostic: https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2908290 and if the cluster is good the speed sensor is bad and if the cluster is bad then look on eBay, local craigslist or here: http://www.car-part.com/ for a new one. You have to get the exact model (DX LX or EX, 2/4 door, auto or manual tranny, side SRS or not) and only 2001-2002 will fit the 2001-2002 while 2003-2005 only fits 2003-2005.

 

As I said, I've done the self-diagnostic. The needle sweeps just fine. I don't think it would be the speed sensor, since the needle reflects the speed just fine, it's just that for some reason the needle gets stuck set at the wrong place for zero. So if it starts at 20mph, when I'm actually going 20mph, it's reading 40, and so on. The needle can be reset back to zero through a few methods, but this is a recurring problem that I'd like to just fix, if I can figure out why it's doing it.

 

What looks like is happening is the stepper motor wants to die if it gets stuck and weird. Imo i would swap the motor just to be sure its fairly inexpensive and the tend to go bad in man vehicles

 

i know it’s a very old thread but did you end up solving the problem? I have the same issue with a Civic 2004 LX.