1998 Honda Accord 4cylinder

most old cars have a speedo cable.
is the odometer dead too. (we need that answer now)

there are 3 class evolutionary systems.
cable
electric sender to cluster
and sender to PCM and PCM drives cluster.
but honda does this on diffr, dates than most cars. (i learned)

so lets do that. we login to alldata.com and look , so can you at any time,
once a month i do random cars.
what engine, sometimes this varies by engine, and trans.
neither stated so Ill toss coin each time.
a/t trans.
1996
has electronic (hall) speed sensor VSS and runs
engine, cruise. odometer and cluster.

the 96 has no speedo cable, and works in modern mode, very advance for this time
also any scan tool on earth fits the PCM scan port
and if VSS is dead, it tells you that with a DTC , vss dead.
saving all that work wondering why it dont work.
see/?
PCM must see it work
and cluster
and cruise
if only cluster fails, and both speedo and odometer then its bad.
if only speedo fails but not odometer , then speedo meter is bad.
its that easy.

You need to get that needle over the pin. Remove the cluster face and manually do that.

Check fuse under hood in fuse box refer to owners manual for location

check the fuse for the gauges and if not check speed sensor

At very cheap rates you can go for manuals from this store. Just check
Honda Accord Service Manual 2001

Does it hang out at 18-20MPH, regardless of your speed?
Mine did the same thing. The problem was an open circuit inside the gauge itself, and there's no repair for the parts. You'll need to get a replacement speedometer gauge, or simply buy a replacement instrument cluster.


If it's not doing the "20mph" thing, then it's possible that you just need a new engine speed sensor. This is located on the rear of the engine block, and is hard but not impossible to reach and replace.

One way to test is to set the car on cruise control when the speedometer is working. If the speedometer cuts out ,but the cruise is still able to maintain your speed, then the sensor is OK and the problem is the gauge. If the cruise control also cuts out, then the sensor is bad.

try checking your cruise control module under your dash by going to a junkyard and getting a used one

Does your speedometer work properly? if not, check your speed sensor. Many times the connection to your speed sensor may be left disconnected especially after clutch replacement.

Matt , It is the vss sensor

Pull up on the brake pedal. If that does not work check your brake light bulbs (LED brake lights will also keep your cruise control form working). Finally check all of the fuses. This system needs at least 3 different fuses to work properly.