99 Forester - Speedometer issue... 1 problem or 2?

[knelson]

Newbie here with a problem... perhaps 2.

 

99 Forester with LCD odometer, no cruise control.

 

Problem 1: On two occassions, a month or so apart, the speedometer needle has stuck at 42mph when merging on to the freeway. When moving at 65mph, needle still says 42mph. When I go below 42, the needle comes back to life. When cruising along at 65mph I hit a little bump in the road and the needle comes back to life, and all is well in my little world again. All the while, the LCD odometer is clicking away the miles just fine.

 

Question 1 - To me, this seems like a mechanical issue with the speedometer head, but am seeking the collective wisdom of others to see if they've had this issue.

 

Problem 2: While watching the speedometer like a hawk because of "Problem 1" I notice that the speedometer needle occassionaly jumps around erratically within a 10mph window. For example... I'm cruising steady at 65mph, but the needle will jump from 68 to 62 to 65 to 60... in really quick movements - not gradually.

 

Question 2 - Is this related to Problem #1? (My opinion is NO since it seems electrical in nature.) I'm thinking I've got two different gremlins lurking here, but again am open to others' advice before I start getting dirty over it.

 

Thanks in advance for any input,

Kurt

[georgeinmd]

Kurt -- well, I don't have an answer, but I have the identical car (but with cruise control) and the identical problem -- 42 mph, ten mph range, everything exactly the same. Smacking the top of the dash gets it operating properly for a while. Seems to be worse in damp weather. I, too, would welcome any insights. Thanx -- George