96 neon speedo

I have a 1996 neon highline and have noticed that while driving the speedo
needle will drop down to "0" and stay there for awhile. The next day it
will work fine again. Then a day or so latter it will stop working. When
it has stopped working the odometer also doesn't advance. My mechanic is
not sure weather it is the speed sensor or some gear connection in the
transmission since every time I bring it in, it works. Has anyone else had
this problem? Any ideas?

 

More then likely its the printed circuit board of the instument cluster, you
may have a loose resistor on the board, some times you can hit the top of
the dash pad and it will kick back on

 

Probably your Vehicle Speed and Distance Sensor. They can go intermittent
like this.

DS

 

I agree with Dan and have seen this before on two other Chrysler vehicles.
The OP does not indicate if this is a manual transmission or automatic. If
automatic, if the speed sensor goes out, then the transmission should go to
2nd gear/limp mode. Since this is not mentioned, then I presume the vehicle
is a manual trans or possibly the bad connection is in the instrument
cluster as another poster suggested.

Bob

 

The 96 Neon has a three speed hydraulic automatic transmission. Doesn't need
the speed sensor.

 

Nope, the '96 Neon has a 3-speed hydromechanical transmission that has no
"limp mode" and will continue to operate normally even if the
speed/distance sensor is flaky.

DS

 

I had this problem on 96 Neon. Dealer fixed it under warranty I don't know
what the fix was. If you gave the dash a sharp rap near steering wheel you
could make it come and go. I believe it was a dash problem.

 

That explains it then. Thanks.

 

Thanks to all who responded to my post. The neon is a AT with only 48,000
miles. My mechanic went so far as to order the speed sensor even though it
was working when he checked it out. He wasn't 100% sure that that is what
will fix it but was 90% sure. I decided not to install it until the speedo
broke again. After reading through these posts, I will wait until it
happens again and them rap the dash and see if it comes back. I seem to
remeber when it did break, I was driving over a bump and it stoped working.
This could more likely be the insturment cluster then the speed sensor.

 

If it happens again and you have cruise control, try using it, if it works
then you know the speed sensor is working, or if it stays inop for a period
of time have someone connect a scanner up to see if you have a signal, but i
have replaced alot of Circuit boards on this model neon in the past for that
reason, you could probably hit the dash while you are driving to make it
quit on you also

 

Would my mechanic know how to change this cicuit board or would I be better
off going to the dealer for this repair? Is this an expensive repair?

 

i dont no your mechanic, everyone is different, but it is a aimple job to
do, the board, the last time i priced .....i think was about 200.00. but
dont hold me to that

 

Thanks to all who responded to my post. I did exactly what you told me to
do. The speedo needle just died on me today, and I "slapped" the top of the
dash board and low and behold, the needle started to work. A few seconds
latter, it stopped working again so I slapped the dash and it now works
fine. Your advice saved me from changing the speed sensor. I also told my
mechanic who said he doesn't feel comfortable with troubleshooting the
insturment cluster, so I guess I will continue to slapp the damn thing, or
get a price quote from the rip-off dealer.

 

I had a similar problem on my Voyager. Driving along, look down at the
speedo and both it and the tachometer are at zero. Stop and re-start and
both return to normal operation.


Some time later, the battery died and the speedo/tacho problem went away
after I fitted a new battery.

 

You will need to resolder a couple of power resistors in the cluster.
A careful inspection will find the discolored solder joints on or next
to the hot resistors.