Hi guys,

I'm a new member with a '92 SiR Del Sol 5 speed manual which I love. Hoping someone can help me out with a recent problem.

For the last month my speedo has been showing an incorrect reading. When I'm going 60kph it's showing 30kph, and when I'm going 50kph it's showing around 20kpm. Basically the speed it's showing is way too slow.

I haven't changed the wheels (rims or tire diameter) or transmission/gearing so this can't be the problem.

I replaced the speed sensor which unfortunately hasn't fixed it.

Very grateful for anyone who knows a fix. Don't want to spend a pile of money at Honda!

 

how are you verifying speeds?

 

I'm in New Zealand and we have signs on the side of the road which measure your speed (meant to tell you if going to fast).

But I don't really need these since the speedo error is really obvious. By the time I'm in 4th gear doing 3000rpm the speedo is barely showing 20kph... And I'm keeping up with normal traffic

 

Does your speedo look like its been modified? Pics?

 

Hi,

No mods and I've owned the car for nearly 10 years.

Here's a pic of the speedo. Can't really take one while driving for obvious reasons!

 

I'd love to know if you guys have a way of replacing the speedometer servo motor. I was reading elsewhere that a broken servo motor is a common issue and in some cases, a manufacturer defect. I don't want to replace the entire instrument cluster.

The speedometer on my 95 Civic sometimes works, sometimes fails. I unnecessarily replaced the VSS only to figure out the issue is the speedometer needle itself. I tapped on it and it started working again. Even though it works, it still jumps around a little bit. If you drive at a constant speed, the needle jumps 10-20 mph but it averages around the correct speed.

Has anyone been able to just replace the servo motor with something more reliable?

 

Cheers. I'll try take the cluster out and give it a good tap.

Going to drop it into a speedo specialist place if I can't figure it out in a few days so will let you know what they say.

I don't want to replace the cluster either. That'd mean having an incorrect odometer wouldn't it?

 

with 131k miles the servo couldn't have gone bad that quick.

 

Replace the speedometer gauge itself.

 

The speedometer has a circuit board with capacitors which die when they get old. Try replacing the capacitors first.

If the odometer works properly you know the sensor and the wiring are OK.

 

Good tip thanks. Though how do I replace the capacitors?

 

[SOLVED]

Dropped it into a speedo specialist and they diagnosed a faulty capacity. Replaced with a new one which cost NZD 124.00 (around USD 85) for the labour and parts.

All working fine now. I hear the capacitors are a common fault so I hope this post helps others who have a similar problem

 

Haha...what is a speedometer specialist?

Would have been much cheaper to replace the speedometer with a used one.

 

Used speedo would have a different odometer reading. I have a nice original Del Sol with low mileage so didn't want to do that. Plus prices on used speedo aren't a lot cheaper in NZ anyway, and no guarantee of it not being faulty too.

 

hey congrats on sending it to a speed shop specialist! I had to replace my speedo in my 96. And I was looking at the previous years 92-95 which includes your del sol and from what I found Honda doesn't sell those speedo's new anymore! So yeah it was great you got it all fixed up to new standards! Those capacitors should last you another 15-20 years! Seems we're all getting to that age where these things need to be repaired/refreshed.

 

Cheers man! Yeah happy with the outcome. Cool you have a 96. I think the newer Del Sols fixed a lot of the problems with the older ones like mine. E.g. the drainage in the doors.

 

hey sorry I didn't clear that up.. I have a 96 civic coupe.. I can see how it sounded like I meant del sol.. whoops! I have driven the del sol back in the day, loved that car! I know what you mean about the drainage in the doors! Lots of similarity among all of the 5th-6th generations. But I'm glad you got your speedo fixed! I tried to fix mine but when I found out I could get a new one, I didn't even try to fix mine. I still have it in a box as a spare, just in case I have to fix it!

I will say I've always loved the del sol speedo, tach.. Love how they start at the 9o'clock position! so cool!

 

What size capacitor do these take?

Mine is illegible..