Speedometer Goes On & Off

[cehinz78]

I have had this problem for the last few months where my spedo will quit working while driving and then come on after a bit. Sometimes its just a minute or i can drive for 15 miles. Anyone have any ideas????? I have not replaced anything yet.

[fibuz]

bad speed sensor @ transmission probably...or a loose connection.

[cehinz78]

Where is that located??

[Pwise2326]

First you should check the connections in the back of the gauge cluster, remove the plastic shroud that surrounds it, unplug the cruise control and foglight switches (make sure you remember which is which), and unscrew and pull out the cluster, one of the plugs in the back may be loose/defective. Use a multimeter to make sure there isn't any extra resistance on the wire, meaning a fray or exposed section that may be shorting out for a bit. Worse comes to worse your speed sensor may be going, but if it does you'll know, your ECU will go into "safe-mode" meaning you can't rev too high (I believe above 4000rpm) or it will cut fuel. The sensor is plugged into the top of the bellhousing almost of the transmission (with MT's, not sure about auto's), so if the other 2 things don't check out, that very well could be the culprit. Not sure if there are any fuses imbetween that you'll have to worry about, check a haynes manual if you have one to see what lies between the speed sensor and the tach, other than connections to the ECU. Hope everything works out! Let us know what you find.

[Reason]

bad speed sensor @ transmission probably...or a loose connection.

I'm with this guy...

[Tris_STi]

Agreed. Don't dig too deep here, start with the easy shit. Check the cable coming out of your trans. It's fairly easy to find, especially if it's the culprit. Locate the top of your tranny in your engine bay, and look for a wire connection that's about 1.75" dia, and 1-2" in length, and has a complex attachment mechanism. If you find the cable loose, jam that sucker back down in there and make it stay!

On another note, since you guys are probably a little like me --deviously illegal, this little cable end is what you put in a drill on the 'R' position to roll back your odo. :wink:

[2deadlegs]

I had the same problem with my legacy. There is a piece that screws into the top of the transmission that is meant to break if anything should go wronf instead of distroying your speedo. From time to time they break or are on their way out.

I am just going out on a limb regarding your vehicle. Mine was a 90 legacy 4EAT.

If this is the problem, they are realy easy to install and cost about $12.00 at the Subaru dealer. Make sure you have your VIN in hand or you will be speaking FORD to them.
Part is called a speedometer cable end. If they show you the diagram it is on the tranny side and it is that little tiny piece. I wish I had a part number for you.

Hope this helps.

Like Tristan mentions....Rollback isn't as easy as it sounds. I tired it and it took waaaaayyyy to long to go not to far.