This question concerns a '94 Accord LX with 370K miles, for which I'm the original owner:

Recently the speedometer needle sometimes doesn't move (rests at 0) when the car is in motion. Also, the "Check" (engine) indicator light sometimes goes on (but our mechanic couldn't test for problems because it was not on when we got to his shop).

There are some other small issues that we can live with and I myself am in favor of buying a new car at this time but my wife wants me to ask: Would it be possible to have a dealer replace whatever parts would correct these two issues?

We have a $500 credit certificate that we could use at the dealer. If the repair is feasible, how much of the parts and labor would that likely cover?

The dashboard backlight has been out for many years, as has the trip meter and the A/C—also, of late, the little green rectangular light around D4 sometimes flashes, even when in a different gear—but those and other issues are all things that we can live with. The speedometer needle and "check engine" light impress us as potential safety issues.

Overall, I certainly can't complain. It's been a great car, holding up quite well for 30 years, accompanying me during the past three decades of my journey through life!

 

Dead speedo might be a problem with the printed circuit board behind the gauge cluster. You'll have to pull the dash for that.

 

Start with the simplest and easiest thing. Vehicle speed sensor. If that doesnt solve it then concern yourself with gauge cluster.

You can also use the diagnostic function to check what the check engine light says, and whether it points to the VSS

 

Thanks so much for your expert response!

The challenge we've been having is that by the time we get to our mechanic, the check engine light goes off. Mechanic says he can only do the diagnostic when the light is on.

Aside from the speedometer needle sometimes not working, the backlighting in the dash is out and the green outline rectangular light around D4 sometimes flashes, regardless of whether the car is in D4. (Looks really weird to have both the D3 and D4 lights on at the same time!)

Does it sound to you that replacing the circuit board behind the gauge cluster might fix all these things? (We have a $500 credit to use at the dealership, which might mean that the repair would make sense, if a new circuit board were available and the cost of that plus labor wouldn't exceed the $500 by too much.)

'94 Accord LE (370k miles)

 

If there isn't a Check Engine Light and no trouble code related to the VSS, it is usually not going to be the VSS.

You can pull the trouble codes yourself to see if there is a VSS code or other trouble codes.. See these two links:
https://web.archive.org/web/20071119...owTo_Codes.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20071012...e.com/dtc.html

If there is no VSS trouble code, it will likely be due to the speedometer head printed circuit board (which is separate from the instrument cluster circuit board).

See this thread:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...rd-dx-3368947/

The parts are discontinued; so, you'll have to buy used from ebay or a salvage yard. The cluster can be bought for about $50 used.

The speedometer head circuit board is not sold separately but can easily be removed from the speedometer once the cluster is taken out.

 

The dealership also likely won't have someone take apart the cluster to replace just the speedo circuit board. So, if you're not able to diy, find an independent shop that will do it.

 

Thank you so much for all of this valuable information! Really appreciate it.

Well, the manager at the dealership says that they will inspect at no charge, so we'll take him up on that and see what happens.

Thanks again!

 

Dead Speedo is related to either a failed board in the cluster or some fault with the VSS ontop of the trans. Usually a blinking D4 light means some sort of transmission issue, and you will need to pull codes. Granted if you are unable to get to a garage in time, you can always pull the codes yourself. Below the glovebox should be a pair of connectors, (2 pin and 3 pin) 3pin is the honda diagnostic tool, and if you jump the 2 pin one with a wire/paper clip, when you turn the ignition switch to "on" and not run, each of the respective systems will blink thier own codes. IE ABS will blink the 2 digit ABS codes, CEL will blink Motor codes, D4 if your vehicle is a automatic will blink Transmission faults, and Airbag will blink SRS faults. You just have to be able to interpret the long and short codes it does, because I believe its 3x for each of the bulbs to blink provided they are not burned out. As others have suggested you will have to look up the proper procedure and timing.