Odometer stops working when the 1991 Formula sits for a day

[edpontiac91]

The last couple of weeks I have taken the Bird to shows and when I start to drive it, the odometer and the trip odometer stops working. I have to push the reset button quite a few times and then it starts to work fine. Any idea what is causing this and is there a cable attached to the back. Would this problem need to have the entire dashboard taken out to repair? Thanks for ANY help.

[sweetbmxrider]

I feel like something happens on the cluster side of things. Whether its a plastic gear that strips out or what, I am not sure. Maybe one of the 3rd gen guru's can chime in.

[deadtrend1]

Your speedometer is electric, not cable driven. Problem is in the guage cluster. Its not hard to remove it. A 7mm on a nutdriver and possibly a #2 phillips will do.

[edpontiac91]

There is a Post on 3rd Gen that has 149 replies on this problem. They talk about "J" clips that break and how to get some wire and loop around them and so forth. I don't have a clue as to what the hell they are talking about, but there is a bunch of pictures showing just how to do the repair. My concern is that I do not want to pull or pry anything that is 25 years old. Is there anybody here that would look at the Post (trip odometer fix/replace on 3rd Gen.org) and be able to fix it at my garage. I would pay for your time if your confident that you could follow the instructions and repair it.

[ThoR294]

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

There is a Post on 3rd Gen that has 149 replies on this problem. They talk about "J" clips that break and how to get some wire and loop around them and so forth. I don't have a clue as to what the hell they are talking about, but there is a bunch of pictures showing just how to do the repair. My concern is that I do not want to pull or pry anything that is 25 years old. Is there anybody here that would look at the Post (trip odometer fix/replace on 3rd Gen.org) and be able to fix it at my garage. I would pay for your time if your confident that you could follow the instructions and repair it.

I'd love to help, wish I had some time on my hands haha. and for anyone that is considering to help... here is the thread he is talking about. Really interesting fix. Doesn't look too hard

[conlinj]

I don't believe that will work for you, the cluster on the camaro is cable driven, the firebirds were electronic

[V]

Yea that repair is for most 82-89 camaros and 82-85 birds

There are threads about the issue with the '86+ birds.
It's usually an internal cluster motor/gear issue.
You can send out the cluster for repair, try to fix it yourself(once you see whats wrong), or it may be as simple as something jamming it up that needs to be removed or lubed.
Not a hard task to tear down and get into, but not something a beginner should attempt.

[edpontiac91]

For the photo, as far as I can see, it is NOT something I can trust myself to perform. I have an attached-well lit and warm garage. If anybody can help with this fix, PLEASE quote me on how much you would charge! Thanks to anyone in advance!

[edpontiac91]

I found out that the unit is an ELECTRONIC speedometer. I know the parts Manager at Gold Coast Cadillac who told my they can get a rebuilt unit AND set the mileage to the correct numbers. This solves the problem of having something break or changing the numbers. I am also thinking of getting a set of White Face Gauge Overlies for the entire instruments. They are only $20.00 and make the dash really pop out. The name of the company is WhiteGauges.net. They offer 21 different colors and the Silver is also quite striking. So at this time it looks like I just will need a hand getting the dash out and having the decals installed (down the road).

[V]

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

I found out that the unit is an ELECTRONIC speedometer.

That's what conlinJ and I were saying. 86+ birds and 90+ camaros are electronic.