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Speedometer acting up

Posted: July 10th, 2009, 12:08 pm
by D-Bass
I have a 93 4cyl, 5spd MX-3. Occasionally, the speedometer needle will just start climbing very fast, and hover well above my current speed, sometimes even "pegging out". As it does this, i hear a grinding/whirring noise that sounds like its coming from behind the cluster. Any ideas on what would be causing this?
It happens much more often during cold weather.

The long arm of the needle has actually snapped now.

Re: Speedometer acting up

Posted: July 10th, 2009, 4:05 pm
by Evo_Spec
probably the speedo sensor came loose, is it 4cyl or 6 cyl?

Re: Speedometer acting up

Posted: July 10th, 2009, 4:40 pm
by Thassodar
Refer to:

http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=68219" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I started that in the winter. Never got around to fixing it though, doesn't act up now because it's the summer.

Re: Speedometer acting up

Posted: July 11th, 2009, 1:27 am
by Ryan
It has to do with a few potentials.

The speedometer on the 93 is mechanical. It consits of a gear in the tranny, a mechanical wire up to the cluster, and a clip into the back of the cluster. If the gear in the tranny wears out, you'll have problems. If the wire gets seized in its sheath, you're screwed, and if the plug is loose in the back of the cluster, it will do what you're describing. Leave it longer and I bet it just won't work at all.

Re: Speedometer acting up

Posted: December 6th, 2009, 11:49 pm
by MX_Sid
I have also noticed that my speedo goes nuts when it is cold out. but once the cabin temperature gets warm it stops doing it. it makes me think it could be the lubrication in the back of the guage face, where the speedo cable plugs in. I was considering just spraying some wd-40 in it but don't want the thing to spin better than it's supposed to.(if that makes sense) just wondering what you guys thought about it thanks!!

Re: Speedometer acting up

Posted: December 7th, 2009, 12:47 am
by Ryan
Its spring resistance, so WD40 won't do anything. Don't use it anyway, use some sort of silicone based grease. Make sure its clipped securely in, too. Thats most important.

Re: Speedometer acting up

Posted: December 7th, 2009, 2:08 am
by MX_Sid
ok, cool. I'll mess with it in the morning, thanks!