speedo.

[gw84]

Occasionally, I've noticed that the speedometer in my '93 lumina doesn't work. I'll just be drivin' down the road and look down and well, 0mph. I guess the needle sticks occasionally. The first time it happened I freaked out but then realized that all I had to do to fix it was tap on the cluster. After a tap, the needle pops right up to normal speed. Any idea why this is happening?

[smallbrady89]

sounds like a stuck needle like you said.

[tblake]

needles really shouldnt, (in theory) get stuck anymore. They are all moved by electromagnetism of coils of wire wrapped around a core. The stronger the EMF, the stronger the magentic field is, and the higher the needle moves. Yours to me sounds more like a loose or dirty connection somewhere. It may get more frequent, it may not. If it does, pull the cluster, and clean up the contacts, and maybe even open it and check for anything out for the ordinary (not sure what though).

[gw84]

I'm referring to my '93 lumina, I think it's old enough that it's possible. It doesn't bother me, it's almost funny. I'll be cruising down the highway, see that it's stuck, tap it and watch it go from 0 to 55 really fast. It's got a "springy" action.....booooooiiiiinnnnnnggggggg

[tblake]

yes, also believe it or not, i dont think a 1993 lumina used a cable speedo either, they are probably also drive by electromagentism. But its a 93, if all that you have to do is tap it and it still works, i wouldnt worry about it at all.

[richtazz]

The speedometer is electronic, GM stopped using speedo cables in the late 80's. It's most likely a dirty contact like tblake suggested, or a bad cluster. These cars are plagued by cluster issues (inoperative speedo/odomoeter, check guages/low fuel lights staying on, etc...).

[gw84]

My gas guage and odometer work just fine. The speedo only acts up occasionally. I was wondering about the lights. Is there a way to check to make sure that all my warning lights are still working? Whenever I start the car, I see the usual "service engine" "anti-lock" etc, but I can't remember the last time I saw the "seatbelt" light. There are some black spots (in the panel) that I'm unsure about what light is supposed to be there.

[tblake]

hmmmm, never thought about that. I know i can with my car and a tech 2 scan tool. Not sure about OBD1 vehicles though. Best way would be to just rip the cluster out and replace them all, i think they are all 194's or mostly. Or LED convert them. (looks sweet) But you can alwyas check the manual to see what light is where.

[gw84]

good thinking. I don't know if I'll "rip" it out, but calmly dismantling sounds ok

[tblake]

perfect, calmly disassemble it then