No speedometer
 

1988 BMW 325 coupe
inline-6

Speedometer worked over the summer and then started to cut out, it woudl just stop and go down past zero. Now, it barely works, around 2% of the time. Any thoughts?

Any handheld GPS unit with WAAS can tell you your speed fairly accurately. If you compare costs on repairing and a GPS reciever... *shrug*

a gps is an option... but would also be another distraction while driving...

after a quick google for "1988 BMW 325 coupe speedometer problems"

i found this stuff... for an 84 BMW 318i but it sounds very similar to your problem... has to do with bad solder joints on the speedo i think...

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e30/messag...w47/31786.html
and
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/speedo/speedo.htm

If you care to know your speed, just buy a new speedo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2444541258

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2444154040

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2445594577

As long as you keep a record of your actual mileage, you'll be legal. That last link sounds like a bargain if you can take the front plastic from your current gauge cluster to use on the new one.

You might be able to get away with a cable, or even just a speedo gear. I'd give it a look. Speedo cable is easy to get to in most cars. Grab a Hanes manual for your car and see what it says about working on the gauge cluster.

Now what about the legalities dealing with the odometer not working as well? I have driven the car at least 3,000 miles when the car has only recorded around 300 in the past couple months.

the legalities are none except if you decide to sell it or if your state has a cutoff mileage for vehicle testing.

If you sell it you MUST report an odometer inaccuracy or you can be in a world of hurt. It will also significantly reduce the resale value of your car.
This has already happened however.

Regarding emissions testing, basically it means you might have to get it inspected beyond the mileage you ordinarilly would. Whether you care or not is up to you ;)



Here's the trick though. Buy a speedo cable and install it. Your problems will go away. You're describing CLASSIC symptoms of a busted cable - it'll still make contact from time to time which will make your speedo work, but overall it's busted. You can check this if you want, just unhook it from the transmission (easiest end to get to) and tug on the wire inside - if it's busted it'll come right out and you'll see the frayed end.

i think we all know the right thing to do in this situation...

use it as an excuse to haul ass! "i'm sorry officer, i didn't know i was going that fast!" ;)

You'd definately get a ticket then.

If you have a tach you don't really need a speedometer just a speed chart.

The E30 BMW uses a magnetic pick-up on the diff. to send a speed signal to an electronic speedo head. Problems with circuit boards are common as well as the memory battery leaking and causing a slow board death. There are tests designed to find this problem that I use to trouble shoot circuits. Most probably is in the speedo head unit, but don't throw parts at it. Have a BMW tech check it out for you. I am an ASE Master tech and have 30 years of BMW wrenching.

they sell gps speedos, I put one in my truck so i wouldn't have to recalibrate the speedo when I changed tires. I think they go for about $100, I got mine in a trade.

How big is this contraption? I've been shy an accurate spedo on my motorcycle for a while, and I'd consider shoe-horning that thing in there.