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Speedometers Legacy and Outback


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My 99 Legacy speedometer is intermittent.

It sometimes springs into action when the windshield washer button is

pressed a few times, or sometimes when the odometer reset is pressed. Other

owners have had same symptoms, also on 99 Outbacks.

Cruise works OK.

Is there a cure avoiding replacement please?

Gil

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So the speedo doesn't work normally? Are you getting any codes?

 

If not, It's probably the motor in the dash that operates the speedo needle. If it were the speed sensor, it would pop up a CEL.

 

It's possible there is a loose connection. If you wanted to take apart the dash and pull out the combination unit to check it out, you might get lucky.

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The speedometer head on these vehicles are troublesome. Does your cruise control work when the speedometer isn't? If so, it's likely the speedo head. The speed sensor usually sets a code and illuminates the CEL when they fail. Try repeatedly pressing the windshield washer button next time the speedo stops working; this often will temporarly fix the problem. I'll bet you'll change the speedo head!

 

 

 

My 99 Legacy speedometer is intermittent.

It sometimes springs into action when the windshield washer button is

pressed a few times, or sometimes when the odometer reset is pressed. Other

owners have had same symptoms, also on 99 Outbacks.

Cruise works OK.

Is there a cure avoiding replacement please?

Gil

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  • 4 weeks later...

well, count me in too with speedo problem. 99 leg l sedan 2.2 5-sp 77k mi. i have all the same symptoms as y'all: intermittent operation, problem started suddenly, odometer reset sometimes makes it work, no CEL. my corner mech who has sube experience says i'm in for a replacement head unit. i was wondering before i throw in the towel would it make sense to remove the speedo and elec connector and spray some contact cleaner on the connections? if anyone has some enlightenment here, please provide. TIA.

 

ps: i have since read a couple of posts related to this problem. i have a mechanical odometer. one of the posts said that the "old" odometer can be installed into a new speedo in order to preserve original miles. is this true?

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The odometers are easily re-set; if you've got the ability to change the speedo in your instrument cluster (it's not very difficult), you'll do fine either swapping your old odometer into the replacement used speedo head or re-setting the odometer in your new speedo head. I doub't the spray cleaner will make any difference; the ususal problem with these speedos is the PC board that activates the meter. A sharp electronic technician could probably replace the defective diode, capacitor or transistor in the PC board, but since a new speedo costs less than $150 and complete used can be had for less than $50 (I just bought one on e-bay for $21), it's probably not worth the trouble.

 

 

 

 

 

well, count me in too with speedo problem. 99 leg l sedan 2.2 5-sp 77k mi. i have all the same symptoms as y'all: intermittent operation, problem started suddenly, odometer reset sometimes makes it work, no CEL. my corner mech who has sube experience says i'm in for a replacement head unit. i was wondering before i throw in the towel would it make sense to remove the speedo and elec connector and spray some contact cleaner on the connections? if anyone has some enlightenment here, please provide. TIA.

 

ps: i have since read a couple of posts related to this problem. i have a mechanical odometer. one of the posts said that the "old" odometer can be installed into a new speedo in order to preserve original miles. is this true?

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i decided to order a new speedo from 1stsubaruparts. they are a fantastic outfit and saved me $40 bucks fron net.

 

question is can mechanical odometer be transfered from old unit? i suppose i can tear the old one apart just to see, but was wondering whether anyone had BTDT.

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No, don't try to remove the face. You'd likely break the indicator needle. The odometer is serviced from the back side of the faceplate. Remove the 5 screws that secure the speedo head to the instrument cluster housing and the head will come right out. Clean your hands to avoid fingerprints on the faceplate. Directly above the odometer are 6 small plastic gears, secured by a pin. Slide the pin out to release the 6 plastic gears. Now set the odometer to the correct mileage and re-install the gears and pin. The speedo is fragile; be careful not to break the indicator needle.

 

yo phillip, you snuck in ahead of my post! thanks for the kind words. i'm assuming that the odo is accessed after removing the faceplate of the speedo??? any tech tips would be appreciated. thanks again.
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  • 2 weeks later...

got a new speedo and reset the odo on it. one small point, after practicing on the old unit, just tip up one end of the gear retaining pin instead of removing it completely. also, leave the black plastic gear alignment "rake" intact. after reseting the odo, push the end of the pin back down into the plastic detent. if it doesn't seat completely, slide the "rake" side-to-side in order to put the gears in the proper location. do not try to force the pin into place, it will not move and if you damage the plastic detents, that's a new speedo, bro. mission accomplished!

 

99 leg l sedan 2.2 5-sp

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