Speedo and clock issues

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Hellsheep, Aug 11, 2016.

  1. Hellsheep

    Hellsheep Administrator Staff Member

    Hey guys, I've gotten my yellow Z on the road with nice new wheels.

    Few issues I need some guidance on, Speedo and odo do not work often, but occasionally start to work. The ecutalk LCD I have shows 0km/h as well when it's not working. The clock also doesn't work really at all. Occasionally at complete random the clock and speedo and odo all work. Today they did for a bit. The ecutalk does however report approx 20km/h higher speed than the Speedo and the gps app on my phone. The Gps app and speedo tend to be the same value.

    Thinking it's probably electrical? Where should I start.

    I should note the power steering is also poor quality when the Speedo isn't working. I assume that's due to the car not adjusting the power steering dynamically because it doesn't know the vehicle speed? And the odo I know works when the Speedo works which makes sense.
     
  2. Fists

    Fists Well-Known Member

    Are the speedo and clock definitely coming and going together? That will have to be a fairly notable crossed earths/wires problem , pretty sure they're not on the same circuits.

    The speed signal goes from the sender, into cluster, then out and onto the ECU. Since your speedo stops working the problem is in the speedo/cluster, the wires from the speedo to the sender or the sender itself. There are some test procedures in the service manual for testing the sender which is probably a good place to start, just need a multimeter.

    You're correct on the power steering, it is speed-sensitive variable power-steering and without a speed signal it defaults to a low assist rate.
     
  3. Hellsheep

    Hellsheep Administrator Staff Member

    The speedo and clock did come on at about the same time yesterday, at least on the same drive I was doing which was only about 3-5km down the road. When I stopped the vehicle, turned it off and came back 20-30 mins later to drive again, the clock was working but speedo was not. Speedo started working approx 2kms up the road again. So whilst they came on the same time I suspect you're right, different circuit but multiple wiring issues.

    I'm off to Adelaide this weekend however I'll get out the service manual when I am back and do the testing with the multi meter. Good to know it's likely not the speed sensor being faulty as I was worried it might be and from what I've read it can be either an easy job with small hands or a pain in the @$$ of a job if you don't! :)
     
  4. East Coast Z

    East Coast Z Well-Known Member

    It's not uncommon for the speedometer to malfunction because of defective solder joints.

    It is also common for the clocks to malfunction, probably more common than speedometer issues.

    It's likely you would have two separate issues.

    Don't you have two cars?
    If so, swap the speedo & clock.

    There would be numerous posts concerning these issues on this forum.
     
  5. Hellsheep

    Hellsheep Administrator Staff Member

    Great idea :) I swapped the entire cluster and it is working brilliantly. Thanks for the help.
     
  6. Chrispy

    Chrispy Pretentious Upstart

    You can fix it up by resoldering the back of the cluster. Not too hard.
     
  7. Hellsheep

    Hellsheep Administrator Staff Member

    Yep I'll do that when I get the chance :) I also need to replace the plastic on it anyway if possible so it's good to at least have the Zed running until I can get onto those jobs!
     

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