Speedometer does not work at times (the odometer

Hello BDG, The answer is no. If the VSS fails on your 97 Chevy, you will lose both speedometer and odometer functions. If your speedo is still working and your odometer is not, you have a broke odometer. This is a common failure with a lot of the older vehicles that were fitted with the mechanical odometer registers. Feel free to contact Kincer's Service for a repair salution.
GM Instrument Cluster Speedometer Repair Service

I am no Honda expert, but a similar problem happened to my ex sister in-laws Ford Taurus. The speed odometer would jump around and it had trouble shifting (automatic transmission). After driving it I changed out the speed odometer sensor on the transmission and it's been fine ever since. I changed out the sensor because if the cars computer cannot tell how fast the car is traveling then fail safes in place go into effect and the computer will do it's best to keep the cars rpm's down based on the speed indicator and not let it shift or shift properly either. If it's getting false speeds then it will shut down the motor when the speed gets to high and allow it to run as the speeds fall (jumping speed odometer needle). It effects the transmission shift points also. It will either shift erratically or not shift out of say 2nd gear, so that the cars engine can't get damaged based on what signal the speed sensor is sending the computer.

You could have a faulty speedometer/odometer combination meter causing a false Vehicle Speed Sensor error.
My 1998 Sienna had the following symptoms:
- Speedometer and odometer failed intermittently
- The check engine light would come on and I would get a p0500 code in the OBDII.
- The cruise control would stop working at the same time the speedometer failed.
There is a speed sensor in each one of the tires and they feed the speed information to the ABS ECU. From the ABS ECU the speed signal goes to the speedometer/odometer combination meter, and from there it goes to the Engine Control Module and to the Cruise Control ECU. I could see a signal coming into the speedometer/odometer, but no signal going out. Replacing the speedometer/odometer combination meter fixed the problem.

If the speedo works and the odometer does not, I would say its the odometer that has failed. The speed sensor in the transmission works for both components so that leaves the odometer.

Next time you start driving and it does not work see if the cruise control and odometer work. Also is the check engine light on?

With no check engine light on, the speed sensor and wiring is ok. You have a bad speedometer. if you try the cruise control I bet it works. Keep in mind that the speedometer would not be repairable by a mechanic. You would have to send it out for repair if you could even find a speedometer repair shop anymore. It will need to be replaced by a new one or used if you can find one in a salvage yard.


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It is most likely the speed sensor in the transmission.

Speedometer, Odometer and Trip Odometer are driven by same circuit. Failure of Odometer and Trip Odometer suggests a circuit board fault on the instrument panel. A used instrument panel or repair of yours is probabaly best options.

The speedometer should malfunction too if speed sensor failed. If only the odometer and trip meter stopped working, it will most likely be the cluster itself. I had this problem, but since took the cluster out and give it a nice tap/knock, put it back in and it has worked since. Keep in mind that the VSS provides signal input to circuit that drives speedometer.

Instrument panel removal is not hard if you follow the shop manual instructions for trim removal. I've done it once on my 2.5TL to replace the D4 light bulb. PM your email address and I'll forward the pdf files for the procedure. The Vehicle Speed Sensor goes into the differential, and is what makes your speedometer and odometers work. If that fails, then your D4 light should start flashing, and either the speedometer will be bouncy or not work at all. Perhaps he forgot that 1Gs have a differential, so he said the tranny, but it's in the diff.

Hope helps.

possible short in dash. have you put an after market radio in it?

Could be a ciggerette lighter fuse, usually cause this when it blows.

Most likely a speed sensor is going bad (most cars and truck do not use mechanical speedometer cables anymore) most sensors are located near the differential in rwd cars or near the drive shaft on the transmission. Best bet is to get a Haynes manual for your car to help locate the speed sensor. Remove it and take it to the auto parts store so you can visually compare it to the replacement. Install the new speed sensor and it should restore your speedometer and odometer.