1990 LX ACCORD SPEEDO PROBLEM

Hey folks,

I got a 1990 accord lx with automatic
Speedo works when it wants, usally as car and temp warms up.
Honda dealer said speed sensor is bad, at a $190.00 a pop ( wow )

I want to get some inputs.
I am both mechcanic and electronic skilled .
Not afraid to tear into it as I done ALL the work on this car and others in
the past.
Dealer or service not an option.

It looks as though the sensor can be taken apart.
Anybody try it ?
Any recomemdations for a cheaper source ?

Look forward to any replys
Thanks
John

 

I have doubts about the speed sensor - going intermittent isn't as common as
just plain failing (for most speed sensors, not sure about this specific
one.)

The speedo itself could be intermittent. That doesn't really make it any
cheaper, but the least expense is always to replace only the defective
part(s) 8^{
Bad solder connections on the speedo circuit board are still a suspect.

A more affordable way to go with DIY troubleshooting would be to get a speed
sensor from a wrecking yard. The pull-your-own type of yard would probably
sell you one at a price you could live with for the chance of fixing the
problem.

Mike

 

Thanks mike,
What I plan on doing this weekend is using an Oscope to trace the signal
comming out of the sensor.
That should deffinately tell me where the problem is.
Wish I had a factory manual for or least the section on as it would really
help.
John

 

Good plan. If the signal doesn't disappear or at least get wimpy, no point
to going that direction!

There has been some speculation about bad solder connections on the speedo
circuit board. IIRC the instrument panel is somewhere between "a pain" and
"not awful" to get out.

Mike

 

Sounds typical of speed sensor. You can get the part online for less than
$120.

78410-SY0-003 is for 90-91 accords.


78410-SV4-003 is for 92 and up accord but will also work, and it's less than
$90. One of them has a short pigtail with a connector, and the other the
connector fixed to the top of the sensor. It doesn't matter so don't let
that make you think you have the wrong one.