Wonky speedo/ mileometer

Hi all
I've posted this problem before, but it was intermittent & seemed to have sorted itself out.
However on the way back from the MOT garage, the speedo stopped altogether & the mileometer & trip meter went on a go slow.

I have previously tried to find the connector in the engine bay below the air filter, but my car doesn't have one . I understand that they can be in different places on different cars. Mine is a1986 car. Any ideas where else it could be located, or indeed any ideas where else the problem may be. I was thinking about checking & cleaning all the earths to start with.

Thanks

Hi Paulrob100,
To be able to help more can you tell us if its a Turbo or atmo .
The connector is in a very different location in the engine bay between the atmo and on the Turbo the connector might move by year . I don't have an 86 wiring diagram sadly.
It's in the bulkhead connector box on the atmo and on the subframe near the battery connection low down at the back, near but not under the air filter on the turbo I looked at, I can't remember the year of that one. That location is very likely to get wet too!

However if the odometer is working, and the speedo isn't, maybe start with the connectors on the instrument binnacle.
John Chevalier has put numerous "how to" posts up on here about this topic, the search function should help you find them.
Earths are a great place to start too.

Hi Lee
Thanks for the reply. Its an 86 Turbo. Ill try to find John C`s posts. Don't you just love plastic cars ?

Clean the connectors in the instrument pod, at the same time gently bending them to ensure they pinch the pins as they lose tension over time.
Clean with brasso and then again with switch cleaner to remove the residue.
Careful removing the pod though as the tabs are very delicate and you need to remove the steering wheel first.

Thanks Darren, I need to do mine too!!
My speedo comes back to life with a tap to the binnacle, when it stops. fortunately that seems to be less and less frequently.

Look on the bright side you can fix it if it was a new car complete new Speedo assembley at a big cost and you cannot fit it as you don’t have the kit to get it apart, plus the cars computer needs to be told main dealer only £££££££££££££ and more.

Turn up your heater.
My speedo only works when the cabin temperature is over 20º, anything below that and no life, sometimes it also takes a little tap to start, but mostly it starts itself once the car is warm.

Probably needs the contacts cleaned but time isn't a thing I have a lot of at the moment

no the car is telling you it only wants to go out when it’s warm, it’s getting old like us and I am starting to feel the same, not interested in cold weather you must no all about that are you thinking about becoming a snow bird as time goes by.

[BIG_MVS]

It's a feature of the GTA. All the GTA's I have had over the years have all had speedo issues. The fist of frustration usually sorts it. As Bob says it does seem better in the summer months when it's warmer.

Otherwise, buy an A610 if you want to sort the speedo issues. Never had any issues at all with both my 610's speedo's.

As it happens mine is for sale

(the fist option is cheaper granted).

That’s why we love them they all have there own personality to keep you working on them 610 have there issues to.

Hi Paul,
As you are a full member, you have access to the "RAOC members area" ..
If you look for "Update Speedo Intermittent Fix" on page 1 ... dated July 12th 2017 ......... I think you will find everything you need to know to fix your problem ........ remembering that if your Alp is the turbo your first port of call should be the sensors connector on the inside of the wheel arch ..... drivers side. If you have done this than move onto the above.
The sensor's connection for the Atmo is in the black wire connections box above the bell housing ..... that one does not give any trouble.
JohnC

Thanks for all the reply’s.
I will pull the instrument cluster this week & follow the pin clean up instructions.
My other issue is that as my car is a turbo it should have a connector block inside the rear wheel arch under the air filter I think. However my car doesn’t have one.

My other issue is that as my car is a turbo it should have a connector block inside the rear wheel arch under the air filter I think. However my car doesn’t have one.

In that case ..... if you can identify the speed sensor ( you should find it just above the drivers side drive shaft where it enters the gearbox ) .... then follow the wire back to some sort of connector ...... then check that connector first.

Thanks for the replies & suggestions.

I have been under the car & taken the attached photo. Can someone confirm that this is the speed sensor please ? It`s situated above the drivers side driveshaft, attached to the gearbox.

Once I know that this is the sensor I can start to trace the wiring. It seems to go up into the engine compartment, but with the car on ramps its difficult to see.

Looks like it to me....