EML/Bouncing Speedo Needle - No Stored Codes - Now Fixed

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:07 am

Bit of weird one so just wanted to get some input before i start replacing any parts....

After a high speed run and when i get back into town i tend to get a bit of a jumpy speedo needle - seems to bounce about a bit
yesterday it bounced about and then went 0 and stayed there...then the engine check light came on

so i toddled on home nice and easy but couldnt feel any problem with the way the car is running.

i should also mention that i just changed the distributor over last week in an attempt to cure the bouncing speedo and that i have UKDM EL Dials in my JDM BB4 with convertor chip removed and v2 spoon chipped ecu.

This morning i went to do the paperclip test - engine check light came on when putting ignition to 2nd position but went out straight away - so no stored codes - i tried 3 times and with 2 different jumpers just to be sure but nothing - nadda....

car is running great - just wondering whats going on

thinking VSS,ECU or Speedo cluster or even worse a random electrical glitch

any thoughts appreciated

Post by **bluejackhustler** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:43 am

I replaced the converter chip three times in eight years. They do give trouble!

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 12:22 pm

the convertor chip has been removed and ukdm el dials fitted

Post by **newkid** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 1:43 pm

Check the connector to the vss and all the wires that were rejoined when the convertor was removed, my old wings west had this when I first bought it, the connector on the engine loom had burnt out one wire, fitted a new plug and never had a problem again.

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 5:44 pm

do you have a vafc or something? mine had the same issues when one of the wires was not well connected.

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:05 pm

no vafc i used to have a spoon vtec controller but that got removed years ago

i think the vss is the first thing to check - but id be surprised if it was a loose connection as @Merlin redid the connections at the vss for me im sure but that was while back - might be the plug on the loom that needs replaced or the plug on the vss

i guess i will have to dig in there and see whats going on

I will also check the connections at the ECU - the car has been set up with very stiff suspension so everything is getting shaken about including me

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:06 pm

do I remember reading something about on a lude this being a possible indication of alternator rectifier starting to fail? That rings a bell, but I might have remembered incorrectly...

Post by **Ludecruz** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:07 pm

There was a guy on another forum with a similar issue where his speedo went crazy like that.
Only once his car had warmed up or after pushing the engine over 5000revs .
Turned out to be the VSS.It was on it's way out.
So basicly the little pin that goes between the Vss and transmission had rounded the square thread on the vss and was 'missing' revolutions .When his cel light came on it disabled his Vtec aswell.The car would drive almost the same but speedo was erratic and the ecu was running the engine in 'Guess the rpm mode' lol. If he pushed the car over 6000 revs the limiter would kick in as well....

A good test without getting your hands dirty is to try your cruise control(if you have it) .
If it works properly It might be something else.Cruise control & vtec get disabled by the ecu when you throw a code 17 [ vehicle speed sensor or Vehicle speed sensor circuit] .

Your speedo and trip meter receive the vss signal BEFORE the ecu does , so that would explain why it is spazzing out intermittently ...maybe.

If your are not getting a code 17 it might be because the ecu is still receiving a signal from the vss even if it is a scrambled one.

I had a similar issue except my speedo was working.Turned out I'd cut the vss wire running to the ecu.I cleaned my vtec solenoid , replaced the vss ( which is a bitch to get to btw) and it was that little blue wire all along haha 10 hrs of work & research for a 2 minute job . ;-P

Hope that helps.And good luck

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:17 pm

Mine does this. I hit 180 mph in a 30 zone apparently. Keeps bouncing up and down.

Its not done it in a wHile (emphasis on the haych) actually.

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:05 pm

cheers for the info

@Ludecruzi can see there is a pin mentioned in the parts list on lings - it only a couple of quid so good to know if i find out i need a new one.

I will check the wiring and plugs first

i see you can buy new vss units on ebay for about £10..not sure how they compare to the genuine Honda part which is about £260