edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

When my 1991 Formula sits for several days lately (it's a showcar) the odometer and trip odometer stops working when I take it to a show. If I push in the reset **** MANY times it starts to work fine. Is there a cable to lube up or does the entire dash have to come out and what needs to be done to repair it?

edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

BUMP! ANYBODY have heard of this? I can't figure out why it works on the road, but when it sits for awhile, it stops working. A plus to this, is that I will always have a car with 62,000 miles on it, no matter where I go.

Damon

By 91 the speedo is nothing but a gague run by the ECM. No physical speedo cable any more. Try reseating the gague cluster (the whole things pulls out as a unit from the dash with a quick-disconnect on the back). I've fixed more than just one or two intermittent gague problems by doing this relatively simple operation.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

"I can't figure out why it works on the road, but when it sits for awhile, it stops working."

Odometer don't work while sitting still!! Had to do that, I know, I'm a smartazz. See this thread below from JamesC. It's got some great info in it.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...dometer+repair

edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

Thanks very much for the Posts on this problem. My main concern is that the second I start on something like this, I will break something on a 25 year old part. If there is anybody willing to work on the car (I'am in Central New Jersey) I would pay for your time to do the repair if successful!

Damon

And you think a "mechanic" WON'T break parts? Most of them are lousy at their craft. You will at least do it with care because.... you care.

edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

I know what you mean. I am hoping that somebody has done this before or understands the instructions. I hate working on something that I have never done before, plus I am the CEO-PRESIDENT of the MURPHY'S LAW CLUB. Yes, if it can screw up or NOT work like the instructions say, then it will destroy itself!!!

edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

DAMON, I wonder if this unit is an ELECTRONIC piece. All this information about "J" clips and wiring it up, does not pertain to my problem. If that's the case, then if your cure doesn't work, then I'll have to get a new one from GM (If it is still made). How will someone set the mileage, as mine has 61,000 miles showing. I have seen one on eBay for $59.00, but it shows 109,000 miles on it. Also, if you think your cure might work, would you take a trip to my house? I have a heated-attached garage and would pay you for your time. I live in Central, New Jersey, about 5 minutes from Exit 7 on the Turnpike.

SbFormula

I had the exact same problem. The most likely cause is age! The mechanism gear grease dries out and the gears simply start breaking down. Like other material in our thirgens, there were not manufactured to last 30 years. You can do a search on TGO, I am pretty sure you will find some info and pictures on the problem. No solution other than trying rebuilding it, but I would not know who to recommend. Second hand cluster will end up with the same problem.

I went completely custom because other components in the cluster were starting to fail and some where too inaccurate. Again check out TGO forums for ideas on custom cluster gauges.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...er-custom.html

Best of luck!

edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

I have a friend at a Cadillac dealer in my area that has a source that rebuilds them and also sets the mileage to what matches the one I am taking out.

Damon

When I had a gauge cluster go bad on my 91 GMC Jimmy years back, the dealership had a "machine" that spun the mileage forward to wherever they want it on the new cluster. Being a dealership, of course, they would only put it back to the same mileage as the old one they took out, or in this case, carried in in my hand.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Could be any number of problems, speedo motor failing, solder joints cracked broke, a speedo gear shrunk on the steel shaft (in the cluster) and won't spin until it warms up, failing VSS, wiring has a bad connection or even some corrosion on the printed circuit (just fixed a volt gauge issue this way).

edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, that's why I am going with a company that rebuilds them, sets the mileage and warranties the unit. Let the experts check it all out and fix or replace bad parts. Too MANY things that can go wrong with these things and it's not worth trying to fix something you have no knowledge about