My speedo on 97 DX works about 5% of the time, and even then it is still fluttering. Otherwise, it is fluttering, flipping back and forth, or dead needle. The odometer and trip work fine as well. Now, I know this is a common issue, but I have researched and addressed the problem with tact. I changed the circuit board on the back of the gauge, cleaned vss plug, checked appropriate fuse, etc. No results.

However, when I drive, and it flutters, it responds to other electrical devices. I.e., it will move or stop when I mess with the AC and/or fan speeds.
Side note: the car has no stereo and that harness has been cut.

My question is this: This is obviously an electrical problem, however given the details I have given you is this a specific problem with a specific solution? Or just a general short somewhere. Also, is there anywhere you recommend that I look? Perhaps where the stereo harness was cut?

Please and thank you, internet.

 

If the trip and odo work fine, the speedometer is bad and needs to be replaced.

 

http://techauto.awardspace.com/vss.html

check this out.. has a speedo troubleshoot

 

Wouldn't replacing the circuit board on the back of the speedo have solved this problem at the root?

I will try this, seems like a good, detailed source. Thanks

 

Not necessarily. The speedo is more than just a circuit board. You'll need to replace the entire speedometer unit (or the whole cluster).

 

Any CEL? If no CEL then it's the gauge is bad. You need to replace the whole speedometer. You have to match the mileage or DMV will not like it at all.

 

just a idea. i had a similar problem. mine ended up being the plug on the speed senor located in the transmission. the clip was broke so it kept coming on and off ended up making one of the pins all corroded and wasnt getting good connection. so i had a spare harness. we de pinned the wires from the plug, cut and resoldered the messed up wire. plugged it in.. fixed. works just fine now.

 

I had a similar problem. Sputtering needle, sometimes it would work and sometimes it ll be completely dead. Ordered a used vss from Hmotors for cheap and all is good. It took five minutes to replace.

 

I had to replace my speedo to fix this issue when I was experiencing the same problems.

 

All resolved. Changed speedo, which was procured from a junkyard.

FYI: if you want to pay less to fix the speedo, take apart the gauge cluster in the yard and just buy the loose speedometer gauge; cost a fraction of the price compared to an entire cluster.

Thanks.