Speedometer Going Crazy and Battery Light On

[cwk1028]

I was driving the car this morning and the speedometer needle shot up to 100 mph while I was only going 45 mph. The battery light came on, the Antilock light came on and the lights on the dash dimmed. I turned off the heater and the radio. Eventually everything returned to normal. Though the speedometer needle still shoots up and down, but not to the extreme of 100 mph. It seems when there is a draw on the electrical system it moves, ie. when pressing the brakes. This just started this morning. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The battery is one year old. Would a busted turn signal lamp with exposed wires be the issue? I took it to the car wash and it came out busted. Was ok when before the wash. Help! thank you.
CWK

just turned the car on...I notice now I have interference on the FM stations of the radio, like a ticking that I didn't have before.
thanks again for any information.

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF!!

It is very possible that a short in the electrical system is causing your problems. All the systems you mention are electrical and a major short is probably causing the issue. I would repair the light and make sure it is water tight. As for the speedo it should return to normal when the voltage is back to normal. If not check and replace the speed sensor in the transmission.

[zaro33]

I have never work on cars, but I am technically driven. So, I will tell you my experience even though I have a 98 honda civic LX.
I was driving also this Thursday just like you and my engine check light came on and the speedometer was going crazy, and my lights will dim and oscillate. Which sound like your problem. I when online and found out how to get my ECU trouble codes (easy to do, just my using a jump wire). I got this 4 codes, 17(vehicle speed sensor), 20(electronic load detector), 41(O2 primary sensor), and 65(O2 secondary sensor).

I check online and found :
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl021d.htm

which says is the engine wiring harness is rubbing on the intake manifold bracket. I when in there and found a wire that had no insulation so it was rubbing in the metal and creating a short to ground, which cause the fuse #15 ( Alternator Speed Sensor) to blow. which makes sense to me why my light was dimming, since the fuse was blown so I was running on battery.

What I will consider for you:
Step:
(1) try to get your error code, go to a dealer or a mechanic or find how to do it your self for your own car.
(2) find were your fuses are and see if there is one blown, honda has two fuse box, inside the car underneath the driver wheel ( which is were the Alternator speed fuse ) and there is also a fuse box underhood where the Electronic Load Detector is.
(3) If you get a code of Electronic Load Detector I will bet this is the problem, since a short is happening and the load detector should appear in you code.
(4) If this is your problem try to find that cable that goes to the fuse box under the hood.

Let me know what you found out.

And hope this help, because it only took me about 3 hours ( since I have never work on cars and I just inclind the car in the side walk to work underneath) And it cost me about $10 dollars, since I had to buy electrical tape and some fuses.