No speedometer - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

soccerchamp76 · 11-28-2003, 11:09 AM

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?

Halx · 11-28-2003, 11:30 AM

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

JStrider · 11-28-2003, 11:45 AM

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

Elitegibson · 11-28-2003, 01:56 PM

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.

Moonduck · 11-28-2003, 02:35 PM

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.

soccerchamp76 · 11-28-2003, 06:50 PM

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.

shakran · 11-28-2003, 08:21 PM

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.

Tech · 11-29-2003, 11:21 AM

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!"

BigGov · 11-29-2003, 03:11 PM

You'd definately get a ticket then.

etla · 11-29-2003, 07:46 PM

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

m5man · 11-29-2003, 09:06 PM

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.

theguyondacouch · 11-30-2003, 05:54 PM

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.

alt0220bergeek · 12-01-2003, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by theguyondacouch
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.

11-28-2003, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
soccerchamp76 Go Cardinals Location: St. Louis/Cincinnati	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? __________________ Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department. Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.

11-28-2003, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Any handheld GPS unit with WAAS can tell you your speed fairly accurately. If you compare costs on repairing and a GPS reciever... shrug __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

11-28-2003, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	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 __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

11-28-2003, 01:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Elitegibson More Freedom, Less Bullshit Location: Tulsa, OK	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. __________________ -Erik Stupid people shouldn't breed.

11-28-2003, 06:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
soccerchamp76 Go Cardinals Location: St. Louis/Cincinnati	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. __________________ Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department. Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.

11-28-2003, 02:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	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.

11-28-2003, 08:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	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.

11-29-2003, 11:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tech Addict Location: Baltimore MD	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!" __________________ -Tim- ~I swear sometimes i feel like i'm married to a child. ~You better watch who you're calling a child, Lois, cause if i'm a child than you know what that makes you? a pedophile. and i'll be damned if i'm going to stand here and be lectured by a pervert.

11-29-2003, 03:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
BigGov WoW or Class... Location: UWW	You'd definately get a ticket then. __________________ One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

11-29-2003, 07:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
etla Junkie Location: Canada eh?	If you have a tach you don't really need a speedometer just a speed chart. __________________ Subvert the Dominant Paradigm

11-29-2003, 09:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
m5man Tilted	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.

11-30-2003, 05:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
theguyondacouch salmon? Location: Outside Providence	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. __________________ "Lick my frozen metal ass!"