1998 Chevy Camaro Speedometer short

ASIZEMORE514

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
127,000 MILES

I just recently installed a new CD player in my car and after that, my speedometer stopped working, which means my odometer and cruise control don't work either. I have checked the wiring and fuses and nothing obvious is wrong. All of the rest of the gauges work including the RPM gauge. Sometimes it will randomly turn on and work, only to go back out again. I have pulled the fuse and started it and then put it back in and started it again which I was told might work, and it does work, but then it goes back out again. The odometer is digital and lights up, but doesn't change. Do I have a short somewhere? I have an amplifier hooked up, but I am not using it at the moment, would it help to disconnect it completely? Any help would be greatly appreciated, because I was told I would need to take this to a dealer because its a problem with the speedometer and I know that would be pricey! Thanks!

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Asizemore514,

Thank you for the donation.

Speedometer & Odometer Is Inoperative Or Inaccurate
1. Using scan tool, check for Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). If no PCM DTCs exist, go to next step. If any PCM DTCs exist, locate and repair problem in PCM system.

2. Check for poor connection at instrument cluster connector terminal B12 (Dark Green/White wire). Check for open in Dark Green/White wire between instrument cluster and splice S242 (located in instrument panel wiring harness about 2" from data link connector breakout). Repair as necessary. If connection and circuit are okay, repair or replace instrument cluster.

3. Check Vehicle Speed Sensor mounted at trans

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Sunday, September 28th, 2008 AT 1:57 AM

ASIZEMORE514

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for all that information. I will check all of that. However I believe I now know what the problem is, i'm just not sure how to fix it. I was told that GM model cars from this year have the speedometer and radio wired together so that when the speed increases the volume gets louder, and quieter for slower speeds. I think this is where the problem is because I drove it yesterday without my cd player hooked up and the speedometer worked fine, and as soon as I hooked up the cd player, the speedo went out. What should I do assuming this is the problem?

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Sunday, September 28th, 2008 AT 4:57 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Asizemore514,

At the radio wire connectors there is a wire that comes from the vehicle speed sensor. Dark Green/White. I do not know if disconnecting it will cause any problem but it should solve the meter problem.

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Monday, September 29th, 2008 AT 10:08 AM