2000 Honda Civic Speedometer stuck at 20 mph.

TOPGUN1226

MEMBER
2000 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
87,500 MILES

Hello,

The speedometer on my 2000 Civic goes to 20 mph immediately (car is in Park) upon startup. Pressing the trip odometer reset several times will make the needle eventually drop to 0 mph and operate properly for the remainder of the trip.

The transmission doesn't race (it operates normally) and cruise control can be set beyond 20 mph - so I know that I'm definitely operating properly.

When the needle is stuck at the 20 mph point, the odometer does not operate. After you reset the needle by pressing the reset button several times, the odometer starts operating again.

I think this is a display issue at this point. The local Honda dealer said I need to replace the speedometer head, and that they'd have to order the part (take about a week to get in).

Does this sound accurate? What exactly does the trip reset button do that is starting to make it work?

Thanks,
MC

1 Reply

KLSHIEL

MECHANIC
163 POSTS

This does sound accurate, I would have said either the connection behind the speedo or the speedo itself. What is happening is the gauge is getting a bad signal, or it is looping the signal internally. Since your cruise works fine it is behind or in your dash. When you hit reset it stops power and then alows it again when you do this several times the surges straighten out the signal.