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So when I start my car and drive it for the first 5-8 minutes the speedometer stays at 0. Then after 5-8 minutes it works normally. If the car is already warm and I start it, it seems to work ok for the most part, but when starting after its cold it won't work.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 233

It sounds like a bad connection somewhere. The car warms up and everything expands from the heat, causing the wire to make contact inside the connector. Start by pulling the cluster and wiggling wires while the car is cold and idling. Then check connections at the ECM/PCM.

 
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Thanks for the suggestions. A few questions:

What you say makes sense that it's a loose connection and when it warms up it expands and makes contact. However, if that were the case wouldn't it most likely be something under the hood that is warming up and not in the cabin, like the guage cluster? Or does the back of the guage cluser heat up from the engine?

I've never removed the guage cluster on my car....is that difficult?

 
Rep Power: 233

Sorry man, I had just woke up when I wrote that. Yes, under the hood is the most likely place but, I have seen it happen behind the dash before. Check the connection at the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) which is right on top of the transmission.

How to take the gauge cluster out: Drop the steering wheel all the way. Now look at the plastic surround on the gauges. Remove the 2 screws under the top of that piece. Remove the plastic surround (you may have to bend it a little). Once you get that off you'll see 3 screws holding the cluster in.

 
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Ok, so I checked out what you suggested and I didn't see anything obvious. I jiggled the wires around some and I still have the problem. One thing I did notice was when the speedometer isn't working the odometer is still changing. Do both of them use the same VSS? If so, does that narrow down the problem to a connection between a computer and the gauge or no?

Thanks for your help!

 
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could be something wrong with the cluster if the mileage is changing

 
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Also, I should describe what happens when it starts working. Let's say I'm driving 35mph when it starts working. 35mph now becomes the new 0mph. So if I speed up to 45mph it says 10mph. If I slow down below 35mph that becomes the new zero. So if I slow to 25mph then speed up to 45mph it will say 20mph. Finally when I stop the car 0mph = 0mph and it behaves normally.

Does that make sense?

 
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Time to do a diagnostic test:

1. Push and hold the trip button in
2. Turn the parking lights on
3. Turn the ignition to ON(II)
4. Within 5 seconds, turn the lights off, then on, then off
5. Then, within 5 seconds, release the trip button, then press and release the button 4 more times

The gauges will beep 5 times, then all the indicator lights will flash and all the gauges will sweep all the way one way then the other. After all that does the odometer say 8888888 or Error? If it says Error or the speedometer needle doesn't sweep all the way one way then the other replace the gauge assembly.

*It may take a couple of times to get it right. It took me 3 tries to get it to work.

 
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Ooh that was neat, didn't know you could do that. So it reported "8888888" but the speedometer got stuck at 40 on the way up when it was cold and never came back down. So now 40 is my new zero so I'm driving around at 100mph :-). When it was warm and I did the diagnostic again it went from 40mph to way past 140mph then back down to 40mph.

Does that mean the cluster is bad or could it still be a connection between the computer and the cluster or something?

Thanks for the help!

 
Rep Power: 233

The gauge cluster is bad, replace the cluster. You can find a used one in the for sale section or here: http://www.car-part.com/ The cheap internet price from Honda for a new one is about $350.

 
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So apparently it's hard to find a gauge cluster for 2004 civic 5-speed. But the good news is running that diagnostic has at least fixed the problem temporarily. Seems to be working normally now, but my guess is come cold weather it's going to fail again.

Thanks for the help,

 
Rep Power: 233

I have a 2004 EX 2-door, non-side airbag (at least they told me it was a non-side airbag, never could get it to go off) cluster I swapped in but, took out. The lens is cracked ($20) but, everything works fine. PM me if you want.

 
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bringing on old thread back to life as i can't seem to find a definitive answer on this. did replacing the cluster work?

i just picked up a 06 ridgeline and been on the ridgeline forums, at first everyone was pointing to battery, and i replaced it along with connectors as it seemed loose. i'm still seeing the same issue. exactly as OP decribe in every way.

now the weather here the last 4 days has been low of 73 and high of upper 90s and even hit 104 yesterday. so i can't imagine it being a cold start issue.

i don't want to replace the cluster unless that is for sure the problem. any further updates on this? if you are still out there.

thanks in advance.

-D

 
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my son has the same problem with his speedometer, what's the trip button? where is that located?

 
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There are two “sticks” coming out of the gauge cluster. It’s the one on the right. Push to cycle, hold to reset.

 
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my son has a 95 civic will this test still work? How can u tell if it's the speed sensor or the cluster ?

 
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Wrong section. This is for the 7th gen Civic, you have a 5th gen. Digital vs cable driven speedometer means this isn't relevant.

 
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o sorry, I'm new I found the rite group and posted there