Speedometer Dead

[MrAl]

Hello there,

Yesterday i went to the store and when i came out to go back home, i took off down the road (no problem starting car this time) and noticed the speedometer was not showing anything, it was pinned at zero. When i got home, i noticed that the odometer did not register any miles either. So it's completely dead i guess.

It was working fine when i drove to the store.

Any ideas what would cause this or how to fix it?

Thanks much,
Al

[xanthefin]

Just speedometer or whole dash was off? Sorry if i asking nonsense or something what should be clear.


Do you get speed signal from ABS?

If its just speedo there is gaugetest function on these to sweep needles too for diagnose but need reader. Additional note: If odometer stops then this gaugetest thing i wouldn't pay attention as speed signal is lost completely before dashboard in my mind.

[ZionXIX]

I second checking the ABS. What kind of reader would be needed xanthefin?

[xanthefin]

I second checking the ABS. What kind of reader would be needed xanthefin?

If have KKL cable available with PC then VolFCR is good call with 120 British pesos.

.. or if have PC and ELM327 with full V1.4b compatible device then https://jonesrh.info/volvo850/volvo850diag.html Volvo850diag is very good call.



If have Android device and ELM327 with full V1.4b compatible device then one way is use an App "850 OBD-II" to read directly ABS module data. *Disclaimer i am guilty of this then.

[scot850]

If the signal for the speedometer is out why is it not affecting the ABS/Tracs (if it has tracs). I would expect it to throw a ABS code.

Neil.

[MrAl]

Just speedometer or whole dash was off? Sorry if i asking nonsense or something what should be clear.


Do you get speed signal from ABS?

If its just speedo there is gaugetest function on these to sweep needles too for diagnose but need reader. Additional note: If odometer stops then this gaugetest thing i wouldn't pay attention as speed signal is lost completely before dashboard in my mind.

Hi,

Just speedometer and odometer.

What is ABS?

I have a OBDII reader but not sure if it can read speed. How would i do that?

[MrAl]

If the signal for the speedometer is out why is it not affecting the ABS/Tracs (if it has tracs). I would expect it to throw a ABS code.

Neil.

Yes no code. Any ideas?

[xanthefin]

If the signal for the speedometer is out why is it not affecting the ABS/Tracs (if it has tracs). I would expect it to throw a ABS code.

Neil.

Yes no code. Any ideas?

What does sensors says on ABS data stream? Speed data comes out fine?
How about COMBI? Speed information on it? No codes in COMBI either? If so i would try Gaugetest function and see it sweeps needle so that part of dashboard is fine as i am now little lost where going here.


Then i would look that wire which brings the signal to dashboard to check it is fine. A3 pin on dashboard says Black but never know for 100% sure.

Lets play you have 48 pulse error.. does your ECC (air con) drop fan speed if you go faster in car or not?
12 Pulse error.. does your cruise control work or not?

[scot850]

If I recall th3 -98 operates differently to the 99- cars in terms of ABS signals. It could still be the ABS module or a speed signal issue. It may not have run long enough to throw a code yet is another possibility. Realistically as xanathin says some form of diagnostic is the easiest way forward with this issue.

A simple thing you could try, that I have seen done in the past, is to check the connectors on the ABS module that they are seated correctly and not corroded. The main ABS module connector can be a challenge to undo if it has not been removed before. It kind of flips up and as it does it pulls a lock mechanism to the left as you look at it from the front of the car. Clean the contacts on that and the power connector cable.

Actually there is a simple test you could do even before that. Try to wedge a piece of cardboard between the connectors and the ABS module body. Don't get all crazy, but it needs a positive force pushing outwards on the connectors. What this does is it may force any broken contacts against the other part and if it works then you know you have an ABS module issue. One of my buddies ran his car like that for years. I don't recommend it, but he was ok with that.

ABS signal issues from the wheels I would expect to throw a ABS code, so while like anything on an old car is possible, I think for now that can be ignored.

Neil.

[MrAl]

If the signal for the speedometer is out why is it not affecting the ABS/Tracs (if it has tracs). I would expect it to throw a ABS code.

Neil.

Yes no code. Any ideas?

What does sensors says on ABS data stream? Speed data comes out fine?
How about COMBI? Speed information on it? No codes in COMBI either? If so i would try Gaugetest function and see it sweeps needle so that part of dashboard is fine as i am now little lost where going here.


Then i would look that wire which brings the signal to dashboard to check it is fine. A3 pin on dashboard says Black but never know for 100% sure.

Lets play you have 48 pulse error.. does your ECC (air con) drop fan speed if you go faster in car or not?
12 Pulse error.. does your cruise control work or not?

Im not sure of some of this.
I there a sensor on all four wheels?
What is COMBI?
I dont know what a Gaugetest is.
Would the wire be somewhere up near the speedometer itself?
Dont know what a 48 pulse error is.
I dont know if the fan speed drops or not, it's hard to tell while driving the car.

Unfortunately, the cruise control may not work anyway because i never used it so i dont know if it ever worked at all. I could try it though i guess. What does it mean if it works, and what does it mean if it does not work?

Thanks.