Honda Car Forum

This problem was posted a few weeks ago by another owner, but no discussion
followed. The speedometer on my 1994 Legend intermittently fluctuates and
drops to zero. The green D4 light on the instrument panel starts to blink
at the same time. The speedometer usually comes back and operates normally,
but the D4 light blinks until the ignition is turned off.
I see no pattern, but the problem seems to start after the car sits out in
the sun for a while, but not always. Could it be a loose connection under
the dash panel affected by the heat?

"RichR" <riros@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ZE28b.415878$YN5.280310@sccrnsc01...
> This problem was posted a few weeks ago by another owner, but no
discussion
> followed. The speedometer on my 1994 Legend intermittently fluctuates and
> drops to zero. The green D4 light on the instrument panel starts to blink
> at the same time. The speedometer usually comes back and operates
normally,
> but the D4 light blinks until the ignition is turned off.
> I see no pattern, but the problem seems to start after the car sits out in
> the sun for a while, but not always. Could it be a loose connection
under
> the dash panel affected by the heat?
>

I'll take a stab. Vehicle speed sensor? Had a similar problem on my '89
Honda before and this was the cause. Instead of a "D4" light coming on (I
have a 5-speed), it was the Check Engine light. It would not go out until
the car was shut down and restarted.

-Dave

I thank you Dave for your response.
What would be the location of the speed sensor?
RichR

"David L" <davelieu@REMOVE-MEyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:N9mdnQw7kboQlvyiU-KYuA@comcast.com...
>
> "RichR" <riros@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:ZE28b.415878$YN5.280310@sccrnsc01...
> > This problem was posted a few weeks ago by another owner, but no
> discussion
> > followed. The speedometer on my 1994 Legend intermittently fluctuates
and
> > drops to zero. The green D4 light on the instrument panel starts to
blink
> > at the same time. The speedometer usually comes back and operates
> normally,
> > but the D4 light blinks until the ignition is turned off.
> > I see no pattern, but the problem seems to start after the car sits out
in
> > the sun for a while, but not always. Could it be a loose connection
> under
> > the dash panel affected by the heat?
> >
>
> I'll take a stab. Vehicle speed sensor? Had a similar problem on my '89
> Honda before and this was the cause. Instead of a "D4" light coming on (I
> have a 5-speed), it was the Check Engine light. It would not go out until
> the car was shut down and restarted.
>
> -Dave
>
>

The speed sensor in my car was somewhere behind the instrument cluster. I
bit the bullet and let the dealer diagnose and fix the problem.

As an aside, although I was not the one doing the labor it was still a
pain - the first part was defective so I had to bring it back. While they
were changing it the second time they broke the speedometer cable! Each
time parts had to be ordered ('89 Prelude - work done earlier this year).
Fortunately I did not have to pay the second time because of the defective
part, and did not have to pay for the speedo cable. Initial job was still
not cheap - don't remember exactly how much but it was over $300 total for
parts & labor I believe.

I wouldn't attempt to change it until it is confirmed that is the problem.
I assume the VSS is placed in different locations depending on the car - if
you want to tackle the job yourself I would recommend the factory repair
manual or MAYBE a Chilton's or Haynes - if they have instructions for
replacing this part....

Perhaps someone on here who IS an Acura mechanic could shed some light on
the probability if the VSS or a way to test it?
A certain God perhaps? :-)

-Dave


"RichR" <riros@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Fjc8b.39534$mp.18733@rwcrnsc51.ops.asp.att.ne t...
> I thank you Dave for your response.
> What would be the location of the speed sensor?
> RichR
>
> "David L" <davelieu@REMOVE-MEyahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:N9mdnQw7kboQlvyiU-KYuA@comcast.com...
> >
> > "RichR" <riros@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:ZE28b.415878$YN5.280310@sccrnsc01...
> > > This problem was posted a few weeks ago by another owner, but no
> > discussion
> > > followed. The speedometer on my 1994 Legend intermittently fluctuates
> and
> > > drops to zero. The green D4 light on the instrument panel starts to
> blink
> > > at the same time. The speedometer usually comes back and operates
> > normally,
> > > but the D4 light blinks until the ignition is turned off.
> > > I see no pattern, but the problem seems to start after the car sits
out
> in
> > > the sun for a while, but not always. Could it be a loose connection
> > under
> > > the dash panel affected by the heat?
> > >
> >
> > I'll take a stab. Vehicle speed sensor? Had a similar problem on my
'89
> > Honda before and this was the cause. Instead of a "D4" light coming on
(I
> > have a 5-speed), it was the Check Engine light. It would not go out
until
> > the car was shut down and restarted.
> >
> > -Dave
> >
> >
>
>