Speedo and Odometer not working

Bongo Fury · 05-06-2002, 06:54 PM

86 944 NA Automatic

Both the speedometer and odometer stopped working at the same time, from one day to the next and after reading this board and posting the question it was suggested to try the speedometer sender.

I finally got the cash to replace the speedometer sender/transmitter on the transaxle and just got done putting it in. And they both still do not work.

Is it possible to not screw it in all the way or the springy thingy not connecting to the gear correctly?
The connector seemed to be able to only go on one way and I am pretty sure it is connected solidly.

If it was not the speedometer sensor then what else could it be?

Thanks

Cebu · 05-07-2002, 05:37 AM

If you have the transmiter out..connect it to the electrical harness, turn ignition and have an assistant observe the indicator . with a hand drill or powered srewdriver attached to the transmitter (with drive in the clockwise direction) slowly spin transmitter imput shaft and get response from indicator observer to wheather speedometer is indicating. If it is now inidicating, ensure when installing the transmitter, that the imput shaft mate to gearinig slot inside transaxle.

Bongo Fury · 05-07-2002, 05:56 PM

Well I connected it to a drill, spun it and no results.
I tried it with the ignition in position 2, with the engine started and I also tried it with the engine started while it was in neutral.
What really scared me was that when I turned it on in neutral the rear wheel started spinning. It is an automatic transmission, is it normal for the transmission to be active while in neutral?

Anyways, I am not sure what to try next to figure out my speedometer and odometer trouble, short of tracing all the wires and pulling it out of the dash.

Any ideas?

Thanks for the previous help!

mattdavis11 · 05-07-2002, 08:12 PM

Just a mere coincidence, but my 83 N/A did the same thing just a day earlier. Bad karma I guess. Wish I could help.

Cebu · 05-08-2002, 05:59 AM

Hopefully, you have a good/new or rebuilt transmitter. Perform a continuity check on the wiring harness. If the wiring checks good, then the next step is the indicator assembly.

Bongo Fury · 05-08-2002, 06:37 AM

Where is the indicator assembly? Is it the part the the sensor screws onto?

Thanks for the replies!

mattdavis11 · 05-08-2002, 07:50 AM

If I remember correctly from 85 1/2 and up there is a relay or a fuse (in the black box under the hood on the drivers side) that controls the speedo, odo., etc... I forget which one it is, but I believe the manual labels it for the cruise control, and it will disable all mileage related instruments. If the cruise is working it is good.

Bongo Fury · 05-08-2002, 11:24 AM

The cruise control stopped working a couple months before the speedometer and odometer stopped working. That would be an easy fix if it is just a relay that needs to be replaced.

Does anybody know if it is normal for the automatic transmission to be spinning the tires while it is neutral and jacked up on one side? That really freaked me out.

Cebu · 05-08-2002, 06:04 PM

With both wheels off the ground ..shifter in neutral, wheels will spin with engine running. I have an 85.5 automatic.

Bongo Fury · 05-08-2002, 06:40 PM

Thats a relief, I don't need any transmission problems. But it has started making a "clunk" sound when I put it into drive and reverse that it didn't do before. Oh, well that's another topic.

Anyways, I need to ask a dumb question about checking continuity. Even though I am a computer geek, I have always had trouble with electrical wiring and stuff :-).
I have a multi-meter and double checked that the continuity was working correctly by checking a fuse. And I know I will put one end (red) on each of the 3 connections in the speedometer sensor harness, but where should I connect the Black wire on the multi-meter?

Do I need to extend it to someplace on the fuse box or do I still need to tear out the dash to get to the speedometer (which I would probably have to do anyways if it tested negative to find out if it is before or after the speedo?)?

Or do I just need to connect the black to the ground connector in the harness and check the other 2 connectors?

Any help would be appreciated.

btw: The speedo sensor I bought was brand new from Pelican Parts. So it should be good.

Thanks again.