Fixing a Broken Speedometer?

Question

Last week my speedometer went crazy on me. The speed "jumped" approximately 45 mph. However seemed to moving accuratly during acceleration an slowing down (minus the 45 mph). I later went to the auto store thinking I was going to buy a VSS, however when I talked to the sales man, he went to test the vss, and told me it was fine, he then started and turned off my car several times, each time the speed dropped 5 mph until it went back to zero. He said that some gear slipped or something & that I could only fix it by taking it to a dealer. Idk all I heard from that point was $$$$$. anyone have any other ide Also the restarting the car multiple times seems to have been only a very temporary fix.

Answer 1

HI!

First off. Please Ignore the other answers as they are all WRONG.

You have no Cable to operate your Speedometer. it is all electronic ( and i do not mean digital ! ) The Speed Sensor could not be at fault for this type of Problem either!

I have seen this  Many Many times in Chevy , Gmc Buick Pontiac Etc vehicles.

The Problem lies in the Speedometer Cluster. These Clusters made after 2000 have Stepper Motors to drive all the gauges. The Tachometer and Speedometer are the Most prone to failure as they are used the most!

It is best to have the Instrument Cluster Removed and Repaired or Replaced. A junkyard Replacement is ok but make sure you get a guarantee.

I pull at least one cluster a week and repair them for this same sort of problem!

I hope this helps Good Luck!

Answer 2

I'll give you info if u gimme a star. Ok here you go. Your vehicle has  a speed sensor mounted on the outside of the transmission. It is something that you can easily replace yourself as long as you have some basic hand tools. This is a link that shows you where you can get one and what it looks like. http://www.autozone.com/R,1996449/vehicl...

This sensor is driven by a small plastic gear. Simply jack up the car, remove the sensor(usually held by one 10mm bolt) and replace it. This sensor also drives a cable that connects to the gauge in the console. This cable sometimes gets worn out but try to replace the sensor first. This usually solves the problem. Good luck.

Answer 3

Its a 2001 Chevy Cavalier.  That's my answer.

Go to the dealer and see if it is still under warranty [doubt it].

Answer 4

If you go to a dealer they can use a scan tool and see if the speed sensor is working correctly or if the problem is in the instrument cluster.  Most of the time is is the sensor, but with the scan tool they can tell you.