speedometer issues

Topic: speedometer issues (Read 1518 times) previous topic - next topic

speedometer issues

August 07, 2016, 01:45:42 am

I was going through old posts about speedometer issues. This morning my speedometer didn't give any reading when I first started driving. After a few miles it started working, then it quit again, and then worked intermittently for a while, and then started giving a low and wavering speed reading. Eventually it started working correctly again after 20 miles or so. The odometer quits with the speedometer, so I'm thinking it might not be the gauge itself that's bad. I checked the ground wires on the back of the speedometer and the other wire connectors back there but everything was tight. This summer I'm at Grand Canyon and I've only been driving the coach every couple of weeks to the grocery store in Flagstaff and back, which is about 150 miles round trip. This is the first time I've ever had a speedometer issue. While going through old posts I noticed people mentioned a grease zert is on the speedometer sending unit. Is that supposed to get greased with the rest of the chassis? I suppose I can call an Allison transmission dealer to ask that question. I also noticed a lot of people had to replace or rebuild their speedometer gauge, but not many had to replace their sending unit. I was pleased that my cruise control continued to work without the speedometer. I know from experience that 1500 rpm is 60 miles per hour with my coach in high gear so the speedometer isn't a vital gauge ...at least not like the temperature gauge, which definitely is vital. My plan is to check the sending unit to see if I can find anything wrong with it. If no problems are found I'll probably leave it alone until the speedometer quits. I think it'll be a lot easier to troubleshoot after it stops working. I could waste a lot of effort on it now and never know if I really fixed it because it's still working. Most of the posts I read were several years old. Do any of you folks have new information about finding these speedometer problems?

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #1 – August 07, 2016, 09:04:11 am

Scott I have experienced the same thing on our coach,however ours would only do that when the temps were in the 30's and 40's and after setting for awhile. Last time we were leaving camp Verde last fall. Like you I have checked things out and found nothing. I did clean the tranny and engine and haven't had the problem in awhile.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #2 – August 07, 2016, 10:23:47 am

Scott I just went through all that with mine.
On mine there is a electronic pickup. It's on top of the rear Trans tailshaft housing. I replaced that and it didnt fix the problem. I replaced the gage everything works fine now.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #3 – August 07, 2016, 01:01:34 pm

Quote from: stump – August 07, 2016, 10:23:47 am

I replaced the gage everything works fine now.

Where did you purchase the replacement? Our works fine (probably just jinxed it), but always nice to have a "dealer" in mind for the future.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #4 – August 07, 2016, 01:13:29 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – August 07, 2016, 01:01:34 pm

Where did you purchase the replacement? Our works fine (probably just jinxed it), but always nice to have a "dealer" in mind for the future.

When replacing gauges on two previous coaches, I switched over to: ISSPRO.com - Quality Gauges, Tachometers, Speedometers and more! Google them for outlets.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #5 – August 07, 2016, 01:35:50 pm

The original Stewart Warner gauges can no longer be found, but if you find anyone who has done the "Glass Cockpit' conversion They may have an old one??
My Tach' was the first thing that went and then the speedometer started playing up so I did the conversion. Sorry, my gauges have long since departed.

Speedbird 1

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #6 – August 07, 2016, 03:59:16 pm

Mine went out a couple or 3 years ago. I wanted to rebuild but the shop I took it to said no way. No parts.

Looked for another analog milage unit and no go there either. Settled for a new digital milage unit off ebay. It came with instructions for the new wiring. It was an easy change out.

VDO SPEEDOMETER 85MPH GAUGE #437-152

Just checked ebay and prices have gone up! I paid $53 for mine all the ones I see listed are $160!

vdo 437-152 | eBay

see ya
ken

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #7 – August 07, 2016, 04:13:24 pm

This is the one I bought
http://www.egauges.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=437-152&gclid=Cj0KEQjwuJu9BRDP_-HN9eXs1_UBEiQAlfW39iY5urMMQa1KoaRTtQdIkj5hsMMaD5zju71rT1p24VgaAh8I8P8HAQ

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #8 – August 07, 2016, 11:11:43 pm

...so basically it seems about the same as before, quite a few people have replaced the gauge but very few have replaced the sending unit ...what about the grease zert, should it be greased with the rest of the chassis? ...not that I've actually crawled under there to see if the zert is really there, but just basing the question on old posts I read on this forum

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #9 – August 07, 2016, 11:22:51 pm

It's really there. The problem could also be the speed sender, the gear that drives the speed sender, or the gizmo attached to the gear that drives the speed sensor.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #10 – August 08, 2016, 09:10:53 am

Quote from: kenhat – August 07, 2016, 03:59:16 pm

VDO SPEEDOMETER 85MPH GAUGE #437-152

That was a poor choice, Ken. If you had chosen, instead, the 160MPH GAUGE, your coach would go MUCH faster.

Plus, it's cheaper!

New VDO Genuine Speedometer 3 3 8" 86mm Cockpit 437 053 160 MPH | eBay

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #11 – August 08, 2016, 10:45:52 am

Not all coaches have the gear driven sender that needs greased seems like the electronic controlled Allison transmission does not have the gear that needs greased

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #12 – August 08, 2016, 10:48:08 am

Ok, I have been reading this posting like others before and have not come to find out if these gauges are replaced because of one issue over the other. Said another way, is the biggest problem the odometer (how fast you are moving) versus the digital recording of how many miles traveled ( milometer)?
My problem is the latter, so does this mean it is just the Digital part of gauge that is bad?? The speed of travel is like others- analog works fine.
JohnH

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #13 – August 08, 2016, 11:35:51 am

Scott crawl under your coach look at the rear tailshaft housing on the transmission. The sensor if it's like my 91 is on top of that housing.it will have wires coming out and there will be a connection plug on the left side of the transmission.There is 1 bolt that secures it in place it has a oring on it and it presses into a hole on the housing. If you decide to try and replace it be forwarned, it has been there 25 year's mine broke, I had to use s angle attachment on my drill and mirrors to drill a hole in it so I could then put a screw into so that vice grips on it and use pry bars to get it out.It wasn't easy and it was a pita! With the new sensor I still had the same issue. New speedo solved the problem. Were I to do it again I'd replace the speedo first. The sensor is a magnetic one and there isn't much that should go wrong on them.
It's your time your money that was just my firsthand experience dealing with my speedo on my 91.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #14 – August 08, 2016, 11:39:39 am

Quote from: John Haygarth – August 08, 2016, 10:48:08 am

Ok, I have been reading this posting like others before and have not come to find out if these gauges are replaced because of one issue over the other. Said another way, is the biggest problem the odometer (how fast you are moving) versus the digital recording of how many miles traveled ( milometer)?
My problem is the latter, so does this mean it is just the Digital part of gauge that is bad?? The speed of travel is like others- analog works fine.
JohnH

On mine which is like yours, the lcd screen went bad in the odometer. Non repairable at the cost of a new one with the correct mileage put on it by the seller.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #15 – August 08, 2016, 11:51:16 am

My 91 GV has only an analog speedo and it is driven by the mini-gen on the transmission. I replaced the mini-gen and all is well now. Disconnect the two wires on the mini-gen and read thru it with an ohmmeter. It should show continuity, but I don't remember what the resistance is. If it is open circuited, replace it. My mini-gen came out easily , you just have to pull the tang from the old one and install it in the new one. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #16 – August 08, 2016, 07:12:43 pm

Quote from: Twig – August 07, 2016, 11:22:51 pm

It's really there. The problem could also be the speed sender, the gear that drives the speed sender, or the gizmo attached to the gear that drives the speed sensor.

Any idea where to buy this drive adapter?

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #17 – August 08, 2016, 07:19:41 pm

You mean what's in the picture? You can have it.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #18 – August 08, 2016, 07:42:08 pm

Quote from: Twig – August 08, 2016, 07:19:41 pm

You mean what's in the picture? You can have it.

Twig, that adapter is necessary if you want both Speedo and Cruise control, both senders are needed. Ours fell apart and Steve just put the speedo in the hole so atleast we have that.
If anyone knows where to buy the device that's shown in Twig's picture please let me know.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #19 – August 08, 2016, 09:23:59 pm

message me your address.

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #20 – August 08, 2016, 11:37:53 pm

Stump, I read your post along with several others. I'm just gonna look at the sending unit to see if I can find anything wrong. I don't intend to remove or disassemble it because it's currently working. When it stops working I'll start removing and disassembling things after I troubleshoot. I was just trying to educate myself ahead of time by reading old posts on here. In my experience it's usually difficult to troubleshoot something that's still working... and I really hate breaking stuff that still works

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #21 – August 09, 2016, 12:10:53 am

Quote from: RRadio – August 08, 2016, 11:37:53 pm

In my experience it's usually difficult to troubleshoot something that's still working... and I really hate breaking stuff that still works.

Scott, Here's a troubleshooting flow chart to help you out:

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #22 – August 09, 2016, 10:19:35 am

Scott here is my thread on the sensor
Speedometer sensor removal

Here is what mine looked like.
Look at this on eBay 23013334 s Magnetic Speed Sensor Assembly for Allison Transmissions | eBay

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #23 – August 09, 2016, 11:11:17 am

@Scott,

I can't say for sure but I'd bet money that your speedometer is your problem. Mine worked intermittently for about a year before it died completely. The original analog (milage) speedometers seem to have a limited life. Replacement is in your future. The good news is that while it's still working you have time to find one on ebay at a reasonable price. The bad news is my tachometer just died a week or so ago. So you have that to look forward to.

see ya
ken

Re: speedometer issues

Reply #24 – August 09, 2016, 02:18:27 pm

[ The bad news is my tachometer just died a week or so ago. So you have that to look forward to.]

Ay Yi Yi!

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