Going to the store this morning I smelled a "electric smell" looked around and didn't notice anything, went down the road and looked down and my speedometer was not working. I assume I have a electric speedo, will look in a few, anyone had this happen to them before. I have a 92 RS with a 305 TBI. Just lookin for info.

Thanks

 

C3,

What you probably smelled was vinyl insulation or varnish that had overheated - the telltale sign of imminent trouble with the spaghetti under the dash.

Your speedo should be electromechanical. There is a VSS that generates pulses to signal both the speedo and the ECM input. If you aren't getting the SES lamp on the dash indicating a Code 24, the VSS should still be functioning. This would mean that the speedo head has bought the farm. If you're getting the code, the VSS bit the big one and is likely the problem. Some vehicles have the VSS built into the speedometer head, so it could have caused an odor in the passenger compartment.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

Thank you, Vader.
No code is set, so it'll be the speedo, guess I'll dig into it.

 

I never noticed a VSS code when my sensor died unless I got up to freeway speeds and then slowed down. It never came on while driving in the city. Worth trying before you take it apart I think.

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'89 Formula 383 TPI

 

I have not taken dash apart yet but I called the Chevrolet place and they want $350 to $400 for a new speedo, said I have to get the entire guage cluster. Is this true, my Haynes manual explains it so well.

Thanks

 

Get a used one! Much cheaper!

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Working on:
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