Imagine you’re driving your car, a gentle breeze is touching your face from the window, and you’re feeling great. You want to check how much speed you’re going, but when you look at your speedometer you see it’s not working.
Not only your speedometer is working, but your odometer is not working as well. What to do now?
No need to panic, as it’s quite an easy fix.
Before diving into the fix, we need to know which dashboard this fix is applicable for. There can be two types of dashboards, one analog and the other digital. Analog is the one where the digits actually spin. This guide is all about fixing the analog dashboard. If you’ve a digital dashboard then this guide is not for you.
But for an analog dashboard, pretty much all the cars are the same. I meant the process is usually the same.
To know how to fix the odometer, you need to understand how the odometer actually works. Every car used a vehicle speed sensor in their car. The speed sensor has 2 parts. One is mechanical and the other one is electrical.
When a car runs, the mechanical part sends the speed to the electrical part. Then the electrical part runs the gears behind the dashboard and it shows speed in the main dashboard. It’s actually pretty fascinating how one small speed sensor can do all these things.
Now the problem with this speed sensor is, that the mechanical part wears out after a certain point. As it’s mechanical, it will sure do. So, you’ll get a check engine light for that. And obviously, you will see for yourself in the dashboard that the speedometer is not working.
You have to get a new speed sensor and replace it in your car. You can easily replace it yourself. It’s normally beside the transmission.
Once you change it, the speedometer should start working.
Now that the speedometer is fixed, what about the odometer? The reason the odometer stops working is the gears that run the odometer get broken. The gears are usually made of plastic and as time goes it breaks. So, you know what to do. You need to change the gears.
So, this is electrical work. And you know now what I am going to say. Before doing any sort of electrical work, make sure you disconnect the negative terminal (Yes, the black one) and keep it aside. So that nothing short circuits.
Now, you need to remove two parts to change the gears behind the odometer. The first one is the dashboard cover. Normally every car has some bolts sealing the dashboard cover. Just unbolt them with the proper tools. Then you’ll see the gauge cluster behind the dashboard. Unbolt that as well. Then carefully remove the gauge cluster.
Gauge clusters have these cables connected to them. Just carefully remove them and the gauge cluster will be on your hand in no time.
In the gauge cluster, there will be a cover as well. Just remove the cover carefully. There will be multiple screws on. Removing that should be no big deal.
Now you can take a look behind at the speedometer/odometer. There will be a motor and some gears with it. So, you might be wondering how does it work?
So remove the speed sensor I talked about earlier. The speed sensor tells the motor how fast it should rotate and it does that rotation. Upon that rotation, the gears move fast or slow. And the gears make the digits spin. And you get to see the odometer running freely in the dashboard.
So, how to get access to the gears? Just remove the motor and you’ll see broken gear pieces. Take those pieces out and install the new gears. Then place that motor back in.
Now reverse the whole process. First, keep the gauges in the gauge cluster. Attach the gauge cluster cover, then place the gauge cluster in the proper place. Attach the electrical clips with the gauge cluster. Then attach the dashboard cover. After that, you’re done installing your odometer.
Now, it’s time to test our hard work. Just take your car out and check whether the speedometer and odometer are working or not. Now it should work.
Let me know if this content helped you or not. If you like content like this then do check some of the other automotive content I have on this website. Till next time, take care.
FAQs on Fixing Analog Speedometer & Odometer
Common symptoms include erratic readings, speedometer needle not moving, or the needle getting stuck at a certain point.
You can diagnose the issue by checking for loose connections, inspecting the speedometer cable for damage, and testing the vehicle’s speed sensor.
Basic tools required typically include a screwdriver set, a multimeter for electrical testing, and possibly a replacement speedometer cable if needed.
Driving with a broken speedometer is not advisable as it can lead to speeding violations and difficulties in monitoring your driving speed.
Many repairs can be done by a DIY enthusiast with basic mechanical skills, but consulting a professional is recommended for complex issues or if you’re unsure.
Recalibration can often be done by using a GPS device to compare speeds and adjusting the speedometer accordingly or by following specific manufacturer instructions.
Ignoring a faulty odometer can lead to inaccurate mileage tracking, affecting maintenance schedules and potentially reducing resale value.
It is advisable to check your speedometer and odometer regularly, especially before long trips or after any significant vehicle maintenance.
Conclusions
To summarize, addressing problems with your analog speedometer and odometer is crucial for both accurate navigation and maintaining your vehicle’s integrity. By carefully assessing the issues and implementing the corrective measures discussed, you can restore these important gauges to their proper function. Remember to consult professional resources or seek assistance if you encounter challenges beyond your expertise.
Regular checks and upkeep of your speedometer and odometer will help prevent future complications and ensure a smoother driving experience. Don’t hesitate to take action now — your vehicle’s performance depends on it.