TECH HELP PLEASE...... I've read pretty much every thread on here about speedometer problems and mine are similar but seem largely different, none really match mine so here's mine, please see what you think and advise???

• 97 Accord, LX 2.2ltr, 316,000mls, original owner--27yrs, well cared for pristine actually!
• Speedometer just started going to zero, then jumping up to the speed I'm going, no pattern to it, then back to zero. Sometimes I doesn't do it at all other time it's off & on, then other times it's just dead sits at zero.
  • All other gauges work normally, fuel, temp, NO codes that I see and NO check engine light has ever come on?
  • Cruise Control works fine, normal, no issues! Car runs fine no engine changes etc. all good? LIke a Swiss Watch--she's a good ol'girl
  • Odometer & trip meter DO NOT TURN when the speedometer is NOT working, but Odomenter-tripmeter does work when the speedometer is working?
• It's just the speedometer that fails intermittently, all else seems fine!!

WHAT IS WRONG, any ideas?? I don't seem to have exactly the same problems as any others. Others with my issue ALSO have other issues/malfunctions associated with it? I'm thinking from all I've read that mine my be a "pure solder failing" issue UNLESS you distinguished super TECH's have insight on this????
Also, what would be the fix and how do I get to that circuit board that everyone talks about if that's the problem??? How do I do this or test it to be sure??? ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
THANK YOU guys!!
tiblow

 

If you do NOT get a VSS code CEL (Code 17), then the problem is in the speedometer itself. You will have to remove the entire instrument cluster, take it apart and remove the speedometer portion itself. Then dis-assemble it to find the burned/damaged components, and replace them. If you do not find anything out of the ordinary visually, you would have to TEST each circuit to find the offending device. If you aren't capable or do not have the appropriate testing equipment... you will need to send your instrument cluster off to a professional repair shop. If you aren't worried about the correct odometer reading, you could swap in a used cluster from your local pull-a-part.

 

Okay, thank you JrCivic1 for getting back to me.......this is certainly not something I wanted to deal with, it's like brain surgery!! I was afraid that I had a circuit issue in that thing and after reading all the threads I was not having the same issues that all the rest were having exactly. Dang, I don't want to deal with this but I have little choice now. I do have two Q's:

• Where would I send the cluster?? Does ANYONE HAVE AN ADDRESS OR CONTACT WHO FIXES DASH CLUSTER ISSUES in the original dash cluster???
• Curious...does this 97 Accord speedometer have a cable running to it like an old fashion speedometer or is this operated by an electronic only connection with a signal??

ANYONE ON HERE with a RELIABLE SPEEDOMETER REPAIR DASH CLUSTER REPAIR SHOP for a 97 Accord PLEASE LMK???? I would really appreciate it and I'm sure the many others here who might have similar issues would too!!!
Thanks to all.....

 

No cable operation in your application... it is electronic. It receives a split signal from the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) in the transmission.

 

If the problem is the speedometer circuit board, you can just replace the speedometer printed circuit board (PCB) so that you retain the original odometer reading. Once you get the instrument cluster out, just gently pull the separate speedometer circuit board out by hand. There are separate PCBs in back of the instrument cluster. You can find the instrument cluster at salvage yards, ebay, etc.

Once you have the instrument cluster out, press the black clips (7 in total) to release, then remove the 4 philips screws holding the speedometer (first picture).

Second picture is removed speedometer. Just gently pull the circuit board off by hand.

 

TECH8, thank you so much for the pics and instructions!! That seems pretty easy, I just dread doing anything with dashboards and clips especially with winter setting in, old plastic is not flexible!! I have remaining Q's regarding your instructions: "you can just replace the speedometer printed circuit board (PCB) so that you retain the original odometer reading" Q's:

• Can I buy the new replacement PCB somewhere?? If so, where would I get new replacement?? Or do I have to get this at a salvage yard??

THANK YOU again for the great pics and know-how!!!
tiblow

 

Honda never sold the speedometer PCB separately. Getting a used cluster to get the part is usually how you can get it.

 

ROGER, Thanks for all the information!! That's what I was afraid of, another trip to the salvage yard.........ugh!

 

Tech8's help in this situation is clutch... well done sir. OP, let me make a suggestion to compliment the path you are currently on: Before taking apart anything, just plug in the replacement gauge cluster that you get from the salvage yard to verify that the speedometer actually works. If so, THEN you can take both clusters apart and replace your damaged Speedometer PCB with the one from the used/salvaged cluster and thus, as Tech8 suggested, keep your odometer reading original.

 

EXCELLENT Advice!!!! Thank You guys ALL for your Sage advice and all have a GREAT Thanksgiving!!!

 

Do you know anything about reflowing and remanufacturing of PCBs ?

 

NO, I do not know anything about that I just know my speedometer doesn't work too often! T