speedometer intermittently working
#1
speedometer intermittently working
i have a 1991 RS 305 Camaro and my speedometer and odometer never work to start off my driving. After a while, sometimes it will start jumping a little bit and then start to work (not sure if it is 100% accurate when it does that though). Once that happens my odometer begins to spin correctly as well. By looking in my Haynes repair manual it looks as though i have a cable driven speedometer, although through searching on the forum most post seem to point toward electric. I have no idea where to begin because there are no pictures or anything for me to go by. Any ideas if this is a worn cable or what? Thank you.
#2
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Car: 87IROC, 740iBMW, 328iBMW, 86GMC
Engine: 5.7, 4.4LV8, 2.8, 6.0
Transmission: Manuals & Auto's
Axle/Gears: 3.27, 3.42
Re: speedometer intermittently working
Your 91's speedo is electronic. The vehicle speed sensor or it's wired connection may be faulty. I'd suggest you first make sure that the wired connection is good. It's located on the drivers side of the transmission tail housing and has a yellow and purple wire connected to the vss. Start there.
I had this same problem with my 91RS. Once with an open wire at the connection. Once with a bad connection at the back of the cluster inside the vehicle.
If your vss is going bad, go to the GM dealer for your replacment. Take your vin number with you, you'll need it for the correct part as there are a couple to choose from.
Good luck
I had this same problem with my 91RS. Once with an open wire at the connection. Once with a bad connection at the back of the cluster inside the vehicle.
If your vss is going bad, go to the GM dealer for your replacment. Take your vin number with you, you'll need it for the correct part as there are a couple to choose from.
Good luck
#4
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Car: 87IROC, 740iBMW, 328iBMW, 86GMC
Engine: 5.7, 4.4LV8, 2.8, 6.0
Transmission: Manuals & Auto's
Axle/Gears: 3.27, 3.42
Re: speedometer intermittently working
You might want to check the connections closer than just visually. Do you have a test set that you can verify continuity with? If so, you can check the wiring from the vss to the computer, one will show full loop and the other with resistance. While the connector is apart and your testing these wires, move the connector and wires around, see if it goes open at any time. I found a problem (intermittent short) at the vss connector that way. Also, closely check any exposed wiring near the vss that may come into contact with the transmission. I've found shiners (or shorts to ground, where the wiring insulation was gone and the copper conductor rubbed against the housing).
While under there testing, put the test leads across the ends of the vss. If it shows a closed circuit, the sensor should be good. If not...well, there's your problem.
Good luck
While under there testing, put the test leads across the ends of the vss. If it shows a closed circuit, the sensor should be good. If not...well, there's your problem.
Good luck
#5
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 373
Re: speedometer intermittently working
i have a 1991 RS 305 Camaro and my speedometer and odometer never work to start off my driving. After a while, sometimes it will start jumping a little bit and then start to work (not sure if it is 100% accurate when it does that though). Once that happens my odometer begins to spin correctly as well. By looking in my Haynes repair manual it looks as though i have a cable driven speedometer, although through searching on the forum most post seem to point toward electric. I have no idea where to begin because there are no pictures or anything for me to go by. Any ideas if this is a worn cable or what? Thank you.
#6
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 373
Re: speedometer intermittently working
If you really want to know exactly what the problem is, this is how you test it. Jack the rear of the car up in the air. Take the sensor out of the side of the transmission. Get a power drill and attach it to sensor shaft. While sitting next to the car and the drivers door open, you should be able to see your Speedo while you use the drill to turn the sensor shaft. If your Speedo registers MPH while doing so, and it is reading it steady, then all your wiring, computer, and Instrument cluster is fine. Your problem will be in the gears for the sensor. I recommend switching both of them out.
Next question, if you ever changed the rear end gears, and never changed the Speedo gears, now is the perfect time to do so. I got both of the gears at the dealership for a total of $14, and a brand new sensor at ORielly's for $35.
You and I had the exact same issue, as by what you had described. I had troubleshot mine down, as no one had given me any advice on what it could have been. I had it in the shop yesterday morning, replaced the gears and sensor, all is fine now. If you have any questions, email me, or reply and I will try to answer it as quick as I can.
#7
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS 5.0
Engine: TBI 5.0L V8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: speedometer intermittently working
Ok, my problem is fixed. I troubleshot it down, and got the parts, ended up being cheaper than I thought.
If you really want to know exactly what the problem is, this is how you test it. Jack the rear of the car up in the air. Take the sensor out of the side of the transmission. Get a power drill and attach it to sensor shaft. While sitting next to the car and the drivers door open, you should be able to see your Speedo while you use the drill to turn the sensor shaft. If your Speedo registers MPH while doing so, and it is reading it steady, then all your wiring, computer, and Instrument cluster is fine. Your problem will be in the gears for the sensor. I recommend switching both of them out.
Next question, if you ever changed the rear end gears, and never changed the Speedo gears, now is the perfect time to do so. I got both of the gears at the dealership for a total of $14, and a brand new sensor at ORielly's for $35.
You and I had the exact same issue, as by what you had described. I had troubleshot mine down, as no one had given me any advice on what it could have been. I had it in the shop yesterday morning, replaced the gears and sensor, all is fine now. If you have any questions, email me, or reply and I will try to answer it as quick as I can.
If you really want to know exactly what the problem is, this is how you test it. Jack the rear of the car up in the air. Take the sensor out of the side of the transmission. Get a power drill and attach it to sensor shaft. While sitting next to the car and the drivers door open, you should be able to see your Speedo while you use the drill to turn the sensor shaft. If your Speedo registers MPH while doing so, and it is reading it steady, then all your wiring, computer, and Instrument cluster is fine. Your problem will be in the gears for the sensor. I recommend switching both of them out.
Next question, if you ever changed the rear end gears, and never changed the Speedo gears, now is the perfect time to do so. I got both of the gears at the dealership for a total of $14, and a brand new sensor at ORielly's for $35.
You and I had the exact same issue, as by what you had described. I had troubleshot mine down, as no one had given me any advice on what it could have been. I had it in the shop yesterday morning, replaced the gears and sensor, all is fine now. If you have any questions, email me, or reply and I will try to answer it as quick as I can.
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#8
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 373
Re: speedometer intermittently working
Yes, you ignition will have to be on, car not running of course. Just keep your Tranny in Park. Since I replaced the sensor, the gears and the seals, all has been well. I picked up everything for about $50. It is an easy task for those that have a garage and some knowledge of what to do. I would have replaced mine myself, if I had the garage part.
#9
Re: speedometer intermittently working
hey my 87 did the same thing..didnt work till you drove it then wobbled then worked.now it dont work at all and i dont have electics,just a cable
#10
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS 5.0
Engine: TBI 5.0L V8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: speedometer intermittently working
Yes, you ignition will have to be on, car not running of course. Just keep your Tranny in Park. Since I replaced the sensor, the gears and the seals, all has been well. I picked up everything for about $50. It is an easy task for those that have a garage and some knowledge of what to do. I would have replaced mine myself, if I had the garage part.
#11
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Car: 87 Firebird Auto V6 2.8l
Re: speedometer intermittently working
interested in thread so just leaving somthign so i can see any replys) my 87 firebird automatic speedometer is jumping like crazy. Chilten manual seeming pretty useless here. VSS looking a 100 dollars i dont have, so opening cluster up to try and look in there and try and clean or inspect cable.
#12
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Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.73 Ratio, Torsen LSD
Re: speedometer intermittently working
There are several different VSS. I got the correct part number from the local Gm dealer with my VIN and then went to auto zone to get the part. I think it was around $95? Of course the one for my car had to be the most exspensive out of the five or so offered. I saved just under a 100 dollars (not including the labor they wanted to charge me), by going to autozone. It was my first time doing this and I had it done in under 15 minutes, its a fairly simple job.
#13
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Car: 87 Firebird Auto V6 2.8l
Re: speedometer intermittently working
edited this post, asked about maybe not havinbg a retaining bolt and clip on my VSS, well I found it had had taken the clip off already . spraying some wd40 around my sensor and going for ride to pick up new sensor, wish me luck. When I had looked at the instrument panel all seemed well in there. Foun d out mines also Electric. Was able to remove the plastic glass over my instrumnet panlel, as over the yrs it looked like poop and the spots didnt seem to want to clean off the glass.
Last edited by thunder69n; 12-03-2010 at 11:36 AM. Reason: removing question
#14
Re: speedometer intermittently working
I HAVE ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S 92 CAMARO RS THE GAS AND TEMP WORKING JUST SPEEDOMETER RPM'S AND ODOMETER NOT WORKING NOT A MECHANIC NEED ADVICE WITH PICS PLEASE
#15
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Car: 85z28(sold),91 rs, 15'Mazda3GT
Engine: 5.7L V8 350 (ZZ4)
Transmission: 700r4 rebuilt with kits+ vette serv
Re: speedometer intermittently working
Does tranny fluid comes out? I went to check my VSS but when I unplug the sensor there was tranny fluid, normal? or sign of replacement?
#16
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Car: 92 rs z28 clone
Engine: forged 350
Transmission: 700r4 fully built
Axle/Gears: moser axles eaton posi 3.73 gears
Re: speedometer intermittently working
That's normal not much will come out if you are on flat ground or the car is tilted forward.
#17
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Car: I have a 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: Stock automatic 700r4
Axle/Gears: I have 3.73 Gears with a Eaton posi
Re: speedometer intermittently working
great info I am having some of the same problems with the speedometer jumping around I had the gears in the tail shaft replaced when I went to 373 gears. Ieverything worked fine for a year or so and now my speedo jumps all over the place thinking maybe loose connection or bad sensor.
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