Help! Speedo dead...

[crazylegs]

The speedometer in my 1999 Chimaera has been a bit problematic for a while, dying everyone now and then before stuttering back to life (i.e. getting a reading but then sticking at a certain speed, before working fully again). This time though it seems to have gone for good as I haven't seen it move since Friday.

My problem is that I am set to drive to the south of France on Saturday so could do with getting something sorted quickly. Shane at SFR says that he can fit a new transponder for me on Friday, but if it's the speedo head it will have to be sent away and could take up to three weeks.

What I want to know is, from the symptoms I've described, how likely will replacing the transponder fix the problem?

The backup option is my GPS system that will give me my speed but this is not ideal to say the least...

Any help much appreciated.

>> Edited by crazylegs on Monday 18th July 19:08

[herbie hammer]

I had the same problem and those nice chaps at Fernhurst put on a new transducer (which is attached to the diff) and all is now ok so you should be ok as well

Fingers crossed

HH.

[ian_hammersley]

i'm off to the south of france next tuesday!

see you there! look out for the burnt english chaps

blue chim 500,

[tigra]

crazylegs said:

The speedometer in my 1999 Chimaera has been a bit problematic for a while, dying everyone now and then before stuttering back to life (i.e. getting a reading but then sticking at a certain speed, before working fully again). This time though it seems to have gone for good as I haven't seen it move since Friday. My problem is that I am set to drive to the south of France on Saturday so could do with getting something sorted quickly. Shane at SFR says that he can fit a new transponder for me on Friday, but if it's the speedo head it will have to be sent away and could take up to three weeks. What I want to know is, from the symptoms I've described, how likely will replacing the transponder fix the problem? The backup option is my GPS system that will give me my speed but this is not ideal to say the least... Any help much appreciated. >> Edited by crazylegs on Monday 18th July 19:08

Sounds like you've been having a right old nightmare, sorry to hear about your trouble. I have a friend with exactly the same problem! Have you considered selling the car and buying something more powerful, like a Tigra?

[SwanJack]

If the mileometer is not working either, then it'll be the transponder, almost guaranteed.

[TvrToe]

Recently cured my speedo problem. In my case the reading was erratic, often dropping to zero. Changed the sensor, but eventually found the termination loose on the back of the instrument, the securing nut had come off. In your case though, you say the reading 'sticks' which suggests its the instrument itself. The sensor gives off pulses related to speed, hence an intermittant connection = loss of signal, not a fixed speed as in your case. Drive behind a friend at 30, 40, 70 & 80 and note revs (both in 4th & 5th). Satnav may be slow to update speed. Enjoy your hols.

[sparkythecat]

You may find this thread helpful

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=189131

and this one

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=193875

[crazylegs]

TvrToe said:

Recently cured my speedo problem. In my case the reading was erratic, often dropping to zero. Changed the sensor, but eventually found the termination loose on the back of the instrument, the securing nut had come off. In your case though, you say the reading 'sticks' which suggests its the instrument itself. The sensor gives off pulses related to speed, hence an intermittant connection = loss of signal, not a fixed speed as in your case. Drive behind a friend at 30, 40, 70 & 80 and note revs (both in 4th & 5th). Satnav may be slow to update speed. Enjoy your hols.

Interesting... when I said 'sticking', it was for a short period as it came back to life - if I was changing speed it would seem 'jumpy' between speeds, it would say stay on 30 and then jump up to 35.

Given that the mileometer has also stopped, is it pretty likely that its at the sender end? If so, I'll give Shane a call tomorrow and get it booked in.

I've been trying to use the revs, but how does your plan cope with inclines?

Thanks for all the help so far.

[sparkythecat]

crazylegs said:

Given that the mileometer has also stopped, is it pretty likely that its at the sender end? If so, I'll give Shane a call tomorrow and get it booked in. I've been trying to use the revs, but how does your plan cope with inclines? :

Your car does 50mph at 1900RPM in top gear. If you come to a hill so severe that the the engine revs drop below that, then simply select a lower gear to keep up your speed and re-calculate. For instance 3000RPM in 3rd gear will pull you up the hill at 50mph