Dead Speedoooh


#1

So my speedo died few events back. All other instruments work except for the speedo.

I have replaced the diff speed sensor and that is not the problem.

I am gong to take out the cluster today and take a look inside.

Any suggestions as to what to look for? Any common failure points?

TIA


#2

Here’s a link that might help:
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/speedo/speedo.htm

Good Luck!
Scott Neville


#3

Just wondering, but why do you care if the speedo does not work on a race car? I’m guessing you are not looking at it ever, and if you are, well maybe you shouldn’t be. Oh and finally, let me tell you what it would be saying the entire time you are on-track: “YOU’RE GOING WAY TO FREAKING FAST!!!”

Just a thought.


#4

I have the same Problem, Everything works including the OBC(that gives you MPG and Avg speed) but my speedo does not work. I checked all the fuses.

I stopped looking because like jonmca said, I am not sure of the use of a speedo on the track. I wanted for pit/paddock speed limits (it is hard to judge speed after you were just on the track) and when doing certain tests. If you find an easy fix for it let me know


#5

“Sir, do you know how fast you were going?”

“Nope. Honest and truly I have no idea”

6 hours to VIR and 4 hours to CMP without a speedo was ok except I don’t know how fast I was going. I just tried to keep up with the flow.

Also my cruise control doesn’t work with the speedo which makes a long distance driving more tiring.

I am headed to RRR this weekend and was hoping to get the speedo working.


#6

The speedo is typically wrong anyway. There’s a decent discrepancy between Traqmate and my speedo’s idea of how fast we go into T1 at Roebling and T10 at Road Atlanta… I’m putting my money on the Traqmate.


#7

Craig - just go with whichever indicates you’re slower. That is the correct instrument.


#8

My SI board in my cluster kept screwing up and causing various problems. No one problem seemed to repeat itself. I tried new batteries but ended up with a whole different set of problems.

You might try a new SI board or find a used working cluster.

Or for not much more than people want for cluster nowadays, get a cheap GPS for the highway.

John


#9

I have the exact same issue with my DD. I have replaced the sensor in the diff, pulled the cluster numerous times. I even swapped in a new speedo.

I think the wires run behind the radio. Mine stopped after a new head unit install. I have pulled the unit to investigate, but couldn’t find anything, but it has to be the cause.


#10

Took out the cluster and took out the speedo. Re-soldered all the pins on the speedo but no luck. Still dead as a door knob.

I did manage to fix the flaky temperature gauge though.

SO ANY RACERS who do not need their speedo, I would like to buy one from you. Let me know.


#11

One of the posts I came across mentioned something about cutting a yellow wire behind the Radio caused the speedo to stop working. My car never had a radio, so not sure.

+1 for a GPS in place of the speedo on the street.


#12

GPS works great for a speedo, but doesn’t do much for cruise control.


#13

mskeen wrote:

Yes, that is the main problem.

Actually, I have been using a GPS as a back up and the problem is that there is about a 2 second delay in the unit that I am using which make me yo-yo up and down trying to keep a constant speed.


#14

I have whatever you need in a parts car. Let me know.

Jason
443-306-3540


#15

Just thinking out loud here… There’s a wire that runs from the diff (speed sensor) presumably up to the cluster. Have you checked to make sure that the speed sensor wiring didn’t get trashed at some point? (and or is there a way to test)


#16

I have a couple of working speedometers that have inop odometers. You are welcome to one of them for the cost of shipping.


#17

jlevie wrote:

Hey Jim,

That would be great. Send me an email so I can send you my address. Thanks.

csrow at hotmail dot com

Craig,

I will try to trace the signal next time I take out the cluster.


#18

TheRedBaron wrote:

The wires from the speed sensor come in to the cluster on the white connector (C2) pins 12 and 8 (Brown/Red and Brown).

Disconnect the diff plug and you should see an open circuit between 12 and 8. Then short the pins on the diff plug and you should see a short circuit between 12 and 8.

Those two wires are directly connected between the plug and the cluster.


#19

Have you borrowed a known working cluster from someone to swap out? If it all worked it would eliminate problems with wiring external to the cluster and narrow it down to your cluster. I’ll bet it’s something in there causing the problems. Mine works great, but even so, I still have to tap my knuckle on the tachometer every now and then to get it working.

John


#20

csrow wrote:

[quote]Took out the cluster and took out the speedo. Re-soldered all the pins on the speedo but no luck. Still dead as a door knob.

I did manage to fix the flaky temperature gauge though.

SO ANY RACERS who do not need their speedo, I would like to buy one from you. Let me know.[/quote] I have 3 clusters for parts