Speedometer probs

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:08 am

Alright I'll cut to the chase. My Speedometer just up and quit and I'm getting the vehicle speed senor code from the ECU. Does this mean I have to replace the instrument cluster? Thanks

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:14 am

It's more likely that the problem is your speedometer cable.

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:45 pm

If your car is an automatic, more then likely the base piece that screws into the differential needs to be replaced

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... lebase.jpg

internetautomart · Post by **internetautomart** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:14 pm

is the odometer working?

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:21 pm

Hey thanks guys. The car is actually a manual and no the odometer is no longer working. Is it possible for that wire to become disconnected? Becuase there's a long white wire that I noticed the other day hanging out down below right next to the pedals. I thought that might be a possibility but it strikes me as odd that a cable like that would become detached so easily

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:25 am

The cable usually attaches pretty snug to the back of the speedometer, but it is possible that it came undone.

Pull apart your dash and check. It's not hard to do. Either the cable will be attached or not. If it is attached, try replacing it. I don't think they're too pricey.

ericem · Post by **ericem** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:21 am

You don't have to remove your dash just stick your hand way up there.

Does the manual transmission have a speedometer cable or is it VSS right at the transmission??

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:28 am

Oh I wasn't saying to replace the cluster, just the cable.

The 5MT has a speedometer cable.

ericem · Post by **ericem** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:09 am

Oh I made a typo I meant you don't need to remove your dash.

BSOD2600 · Post by **BSOD2600** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:49 am

ericem wrote:Oh I made a typo I meant you don't need to remove your dash.

Do you have the hands of a dwarf? That cable is sooo far up in the dash, that getting at it from the underside is going to be a big challenge. IMO, easier to take the instrument cluster out instead and replace the whole speedometer cable assembly (NOT just the inner cable, since its often old and covered in crap, feed up from the tranny).

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:20 am

Okay thanks! I'll take apart the dash and see what I'm dealing with

internetautomart · Post by **internetautomart** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:23 pm

BSOD2600 wrote:
ericem wrote:Oh I made a typo I meant you don't need to remove your dash.
Do you have the hands of a dwarf? That cable is sooo far up in the dash, that getting at it from the underside is going to be a big challenge. IMO, easier to take the instrument cluster out instead and replace the whole speedometer cable assembly (NOT just the inner cable, since its often old and covered in crap, feed up from the tranny).

on my A/T i am able to reach up behind the cluster fairly easily to reconnect the cable.

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:52 am

Okay. So I took the dash off, and the speedometer seems to be connected just fine. One slight problem though, while I was doing it, the instrument panel and the fan switches just quit on me. The light still comes on in the instrument cluster, but not even my tachometer is working. Also, I had the car running the whole time cause I was listening to music, and it died. Is it possible that I shorted something out while trying to work on this problem? My dad gave me a jump and it runs fine as long as you keep the cables connected, but once I unhooked them, the headlights dimmed, and the car died within seconds. I know I should probly post this in another topic but it's kinda related I guess. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:38 am

Umm did you remember to plug all three wiring harnesses back into the instrument cluster?

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:04 pm

Yes. Everything I unplugged, I plugged back in. In fact, the only thing I unlpugged from the cluster in the first place was the speedo cable.

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:14 pm

Anyone have any ideas? I mean, I guess it wasn't the smartest to work on it while the car was running. I've taken it apart and looked at it again. I've checked all the fuses. I guess I'll just have to take it to a place that does electrical.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:28 pm

Yeah, you definitely shouldn't work on a car's electrical system with the battery hooked up, let alone with the car running! Hard-learned lesson. But anyway...

It sounds like you popped fuse 15 (gauges). It might be blown even if it looks okay; try swapping it with fuse 5 (tail/parking lights) to see.

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:00 am

Okay, so I took it to a place and it's fixed now. They said it was a blown fuse and a disconnected cable behind the dash. Personally I would have rather figured that out myself but oh well, I'll just remember to not be dumb, and to disconnect the battery next time. So Anyway, back to the first problem. The speedo cable was in fact, connected. However, the speedo does not work and I continue to get code 33. What is the most likely case here, bad cable? Thanks again

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:09 am

Wait, did you check that the cable was properly screwed into the differential?

BSOD2600 · Post by **BSOD2600** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:55 am

vrg3 wrote:Wait, did you check that the cable was properly screwed into the differential?

Just another note on that... make sure that U-shaped clip is the correct direction so it actually holds the speedo cable INTO the tranny. One way it does, the other way it just holds it close so it LOOKS like its in...

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:38 pm

Alirghty, so I inspected where the cable screws into the tranny and here's the deal. The threads, which are plastic, are messed up towards the top so there's no way for me to completely screw the thing in. Thinking I would solve the new problem with a new speedo cable, I ordered one online. However, the cable I ordered does not include the small adaptor that screws into the tranny. Where do you find these? Is there a name for them? I'm guessing my best bet is gonna be pull n' save yard, but I'm just curious whether you can order them new or not.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:48 pm

The piece Legacy777 referred to above? The Subaru part number is on the label in the picture.

greatjorb88 · Post by **greatjorb88** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:24 pm

Ah, I see that now. But that one is for an automatic and my car is a manual. I did try searching for the same one but just for a manual tranny. Nothing came up, is it interchangeable? It looks slightly different than the one on my car.

BSOD2600 · Post by **BSOD2600** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:31 am

That part number should be in the Legacy_Parts_Catalog which Legacy777 has made for us.

tyrone · Post by **tyrone** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:35 pm

i had the same prob. one day just stoped working and then i baught a new cable and to find out that it didnt have the piece that screws to the tranny ... but after i got that new piece i found out that it was something inside the trans that was bad

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Speedometer probs

Speedometer probs